The other trend I notice is that people often choose the cheaper tool – the intention being save a small amount of money up front, but end up with a lot more work on the back end managing the tool or having a much shorter lifespan.

Buy nice or buy twice!

Grapefruit spoons are not effective when used with jars, but I think there
is a ruby gem for it somewhere =P

Semi-related, I just saw Compass and Fancy Buttons on Hacker News. Talking
about tools, that is one impressive little button maker!

Shiny.

Thanks for the comment =)

I can see from your blog that you definitely don't confine yourself in YOUR
comfort zone ;)

Thanks for the comment! I'll admit it – I too suffer from “shiny new thing”
syndrome ;)

And perhaps, if they're available, you can scope out the grapefruit spoons -
if that's what you decide you want ;)

I think frugality (or at least, making sure you own the possessions and they
don't own you), happiness and personal growth are all related – and I
checked out breathe-smile, fantastic stuff. Long, in depth, meaty posts -
just the way I like them. The quote about obstacles being a part of life is
one of my favorites ;)