Spending My Gift Card

As a research subject, a common pursuit in retirement, many projects offer honoraria.  I donate the money but redeem the gift cards.  For several months I've had $50 entitlement to the endless array of stuff that Amazon offers, but the e-card remains unused in some part of my email Inbox.  It's not that I've not purchased anything on Amazon since receiving the gift from the University's research grant,  I have.  But I paid with my own Visa card for a few items I felt I needed.  These freebies go for the more frivolous desires.  I've bought a violin bow in the past. And two ink cartridge pens.  I have a fondness for pens of all types. Don't remember what else.  Frivolous occupies space without being used much.  As a senior, I have enough things, so many that minimizing clutter creates a challenge.

I have enough clothing.  Dress clothing only gets worn to synagogue these days.  Ties once attracted me by the designs they have and the statements they make.  That age has long passed.  I have bought watches, a retro and a smart watch, but did not use the gift card.  By now I have a collection of art supplies that remain dormant.  Good stationery was once something I found attractive, but has become obsolete with electronic communication.    Musical instrument.  A flutophone, if they still make them, will not bite into that $50 very much.  I have unused harmonicas.  I think a mandolin would sell for more than $100.  Bongos probably in budget.  Ukelele maybe.

I like retro electronics.  Tape recorders, small boom boxes.  Those are better obtained used on eBay.  I have enough Judaica.  At one time I found fragrances indulgent.  Jade East and Hai Karate could be found on tables at my favorite discounters.  Those iconic scents may still exist, and probably within my gift card's limit.  And some barbershop classics, though I have some of these

What about logos?  My alma maters. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Swag of all types.  I have clothing, coffee mugs, beer steins.  I like to get them either as souvenirs of a campus visit or a store display.  I don't think I'd acquire them on Amazon.

YouTube influencers know that dedicated Amazon consumers abound, mostly young people in their acquisition time of life.  Video clips of 15-30 minutes reveal all sorts of gadgets, many creative electronics, that they might find on Amazon.  I watched some.  The majority omit the prices in the presentation.  Whatever I get will be within budget.

While I have no incentive to ever redeem this gift, or really a minor earning on my part as the research project occupied me for about two hours, I don't want it to languish. Nor do I want my effort to redeem it to occupy a lot more time than earning it did.  Surf the Amazon site and those YouTube videos a bit more, then set an evening to just make a purchase.  It does have to be something I would not have indulged myself with my own income.