Hating to spend money on stuff?

With the recession and all, I know we all spend a bit less than we did before. I have found that I really check prices at the grocery store and I am so thankful for those Senior discounts. I just get all nervous when I get offered Senior discounts without asking. It's happening a bit more now days.
I just got to thinking about some of the things I bought in the past that were great buys and I really used the item. Then I got to thinking about the stuff I bought that just looked good and ended up either sitting on the shelf or being given away.
Well, my best buy ever was my little weather radio. We had news when no one else did! I have gotten so much use out of it. It even has a flashlight and a wind up feature. It had "cult" status during hurricane Ike. Now I can't find it and I am even considering a new one.
My computer has been great and of course my camera. My Standard poodles have been another great buy that was totally out of character for me at the time.
One of my most used possessions was a "hand me down". Peace, a Canadian friend, of mine gave me a red cloth carrier for my first baby way back in Sweden. I even graced the cover of a magazine as the concept was all so new there.. It was before the days of Baby Bjorn. It must have been one of the first. That little red carrier strapped on to either my front or back and I could carry my babies everywhere with ease and have both hands free. I used it for all 7 of my kids and a few of my Grandkids. I think it may be the one possession I had the longest before I gave it to my daughter. It had literally traveled to many countries and cities on most continents. It was the one thing I seldom left home without. Thanks Peace! She probably never knew the value of that gift.  
Now for the worst ones. Well, there's too many to think of it right now- coming soon.