What’s Worth It (Or Not)

Every week I share what’s been worth it to me… or not! Just real-life stuff I’m actually using (or ditching) and feel like putting out there. Sometimes the team jumps in too with their own favorites.

Oh my gosh you guys, I’m so excited about this one!! 😍 These wireless open-ear earbuds look SO similar to my $300 Bose ones… but they’re just $18.49 shipped when you stack the savings on Amazon! I ordered a pair, already got them, and wore them during my workout today — and honestly, I’m impressed. The quality and comfort are shockingly close to my Bose pair.

I’ve never been a fan of earbuds that shove into your ears, and the over-ear ones always bug me. This open-ear style though? Game-changer. They’re so lightweight and comfortable. Plus, and maybe I’m weird, but I actually prefer non-noise-canceling because I like to hear what’s going on around me. My hubby loves to sneak up and scare me, so this gives me at least a fighting chance. 😂

After Furniture:

I cannot say enough how much I believe staging a home is worth it. There’s just something about seeing a space filled in and cozy that helps buyers actually imagine themselves living there. Most people can’t visualize an empty room, so staging tells the story for them.

I always factor in the cost of staging when I budget for a flip or listing, and honestly, it almost always pays for itself (and then some). We’ve sold homes for significantly more because of how put-together they felt after staging. Here’s a peek at the living room of the home we just finished. I kept it simple, a few key pieces, nothing overdone, but what a difference. It totally brought the space to life.

If you ever see Hub Group listed as your white glove delivery team… run. 😂 Oh my word, you guys, this was the worst experience.

I ordered furniture from Article (which I still love, by the way, their quality and customer service are awesome), but they’ve started using third-party delivery companies instead of their own team. In my case? Hub Group.

So picture this: my doorbell rings, I open the door, and all I can smell is marijuana… like so strong I literally thought, am I about to get stoned just standing here?! 😅 The guy looks at me and says, slooowly, “We are here with the furniture,” then wanders back to the truck. 😳

Meanwhile, the other worker quietly admits the guy smoked before the job and is “a little out of it.” A little?! The man could barely function! 🫠 The other guy seemed fine, but there’s no way one person can unload and assemble a house full of furniture. Then the first guy decides to unwrap my white sectional outside and carry it in with dirty hands. I about lost it. Dirt. All. Over. It. Then, I kid you not, he asks me how to build it. 😭

Article tried to help, but there weren’t other teams available. Thankfully, my local contractor is a saint. He pulled a few guys off another job, and they got everything built and cleaned up by 7PM that night. I was so grateful I could’ve hugged them all.

So yep… Hub Group? Not worth it. My contractor? Absolutely worth his weight in gold. 🙌

If you haven’t watched The Family Stone, please add it to your list, it’s one of my absolute favorites.❤️

We usually save it for Christmas, but I felt the pull to rewatch it recently after Diane Keaton’s passing. It hit differently this time. The way that movie shows the messy, beautiful, complicated side of family, and the depth of each character, just gets me every time. If you know, you know. 🥹

That’s a wrap on this week’s picks! Thanks for reading.  🫶

Love,

Collin