Pen Chat about my upcoming Pen Buying Fast
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- In this video I chat about my plans to begin using Pen Buying Fasts in a very similar way that I use Intermittent Fasting for my metabolic health/diet. I draw several similarities and talk about pitfalls I expect to encounter as I embark on a 3 month pen fast for the 3rd quarter of 2024 (July/August/September). This is the only the opening conversation about this topic which I expect to revisit many times as time goes on.
My thoughts on the limitations of a pen allowance: I didn't fully finish discussing this but mainly what I wanted to say was that when I rely only on a pen allowance as a speed bump/limit then I tend to spend it pretty quickly as it comes in and I think that having periods of not buying pens at all (or as I would rather call it: a Pen Buying Fast) will be much better and probably result in more happiness over the course of several years of enjoying the hobby. That's my prediction at least.
Intermittent Fasting has helped me so much with improving my health over the past 6 years! I'm hoping principles from IF can help me improve my pen hobby spending - at least establish more control and freedom within the pen budget I do have! My plan to experiment with this thru September will (has the potential to) give me more freedom of choice in the last quarter around sales and possible purchases during October thru December. I will let you know how things go! Please let me know if you plan to join me in this experiment!!!!!
I thought it would be great to talk about my thoughts on this so far and then update you as I go along. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments!!!!
Thank you so much for watching!
My Intagram: / snowball7470
My pen email: chris@inkswatch.com
1. Delay, don’t deny. 2. Pick a scheduled buying window. 3. Focus on quality. Great principles for managing the hobby!
Bless you for doing this summary -- lol -- I am so good at rambling but you extracted the core message so well!!!!!
No-buys and low-buys never worked for me. I would either fail immediately, or I would bounce back twice as hard afterward. What ultimately ended up curbing my spending was a budget. My "fun budget" every month is $100. The helpful part for me is determining what my priorties are: do I want that new LE collab eyeshadow palette, that new LE pen, some yarn for my latest crochet obsession, an Audible subscription, or going to the movies?
When I started this years ago to curb my spending on makeup, it was always surprising to me that makeup was rarely my ultimate priority, no matter how urgent it felt in the moment.
Being able to step back and ask myself what's more important has been really helpful. And the added benefit of: "Oh, no! I've spent my budget! I'll have to wait for next month." has been so good, too. There are times when, by the time the new month rolls around, I don't even want that thing anymore. Or, if the new month rolls in, and I'm still thinking about whatever it was, that's also a good indicator that it wasn't just something "shiny".
I wish you luck on your fast!
Hi @kenshinnotifani - thank you your thoughts on this are really interesting to me -- I can see where I did so well with my pen allowance early on -- then I started liking pens that required me to save up pen allowance for 2 to 3 months ... that's when I found myself always with no money in my pen account between months so to speak. There is only ONE pen that continues to come to mind over and over ... so I think that is worth getting for sure. It's always interesting which things "fall off" the wishlist after a bit of time!!!! :)
To keep control over my spending on inks, pens and papers I make a list all year and only make my purchases during December, which is coincidently when everyone has their sales. The only exception is if I know there is a pen show I want to go to, but even then in December I put the cash aside for that event. This lets me see all the money spent for the year on this hobby.
Very cool idea!
Hi Adam -- this sounds like such a good idea ... I usually skid into December without any money in my pen account ... which seems so silly but is usually the case ... then I repeatedly just end up regretting that when I see the great sales and have to skip them. :) I certainly can't say that I'd have no pens and inks to write with if I only had a short buying window once a year. It makes total sense. :)
My first thought when I read your title was: Buying Pens Fast, as in Quickly! Hahaha! Although I figured you were probably talking about the other/ opposite kind of Fast! Hahaha!
😂me too!😂
Yup!!!
Now that I could do!
@@courtney9212 😂🥰😇
Oh this is so funny!!!! I made 3 thumbnails trying to figure out how to label this video. One thumbnail has a pen on a plate ... I thought it was so far out no one would watch it. LOL Maybe I'll share that on the community tab lol. :) I was worried people would think I was talking about fast pen buying. I see I was onto something! :)
Chris, fantastic job on explaining this and the analogy of an intermittent food fast was brilliant! Whatever anyone wants to call it, temporary restraint of pen/accessories purchases is not only needed but welcomed. I think sometimes we get so caught up in the “gotta have it” moments when we really don’t. I myself have decided that until I obtain my 2 grail pens (Pilot Custom 823 and Pilot Custom Urushi), I will not be purchasing any more pens. Simply because I don’t want to end up with 40 pens and still no grail pens. ☹️. I have enough for now and I really do love all my pens. So, it’s time for me to take a step back and be patient with the pen buying. Thanks again! God bless you!
I tend to think that if one likes to write with the pens instead of collecting, it’s better to have quality over quantity, because usually the experience would be more satisfying.
I have reached just under 30 fountain pens. And the desire to buy more has evaporated. I like what I have, enjoy picking inks from my stash to fill them with, and writing with them brings me joy.
@@RitaCwise That's amazing, congrats!
Hi @carolyncoppola974 oh those are some nice pens to hold out for! Do you watch Vincenzo at Fountain Pen Therapy on You Tube? He has talked about the grail pen phenomenon and I find his videos so interesting. He has been more like me though ... buying a trail of pens along the way. I think often that happens to content creators ... we think we have to try everything out. LOL
@@ChrisSaenz13 Yes I have! I always see pens I “want” but I’m really trying to exercise discipline!!! 🤣. No promises!
This is a nice companion to your Burnout video.
I haven't bought any pens in months as I saw my goal of paying off the house get closer and closer. Now that it's paid off...I haven't felt the urge to buy one. (I'll make an exception for one made in Antarctica so I can complete my continent collection!)
Hi Jason! Oh wow you must feel so good about paying off your house!!!! I admire your ability to wait for things!!!! Over time our collections will grow if we want them to it certainly doesn't have to be a race. I think I got into some habits similar to what we sometimes face with food. LOL :)
Good luck with your plan, Chris. I like your intentionality. I am definitely trying to spend less (or nothing) on pens for a while as I save for a really nice pen purchase for my next milestone birthday. But honestly, my need for a new car soon is doing the most to slam my wallet shut. That's a negative incentive rather than a positive one, but it's helping me to put on the brakes. And you are right about waiting -- it's far better to say you can get something later than to imagine yourself never having it. Sometimes if I wait long enough, I no longer even want the item.
Hi Marilyn -- oh a new car that is big these days. There have been several things that put the brakes on us lately and some future things looming. I have felt I needed to get my pen hobby purchases to fit within the ad revenue $ and even dipped into that while I was adopting Toby. I get real serious quick when I think of future possibilities/needs. Manuel has always told me we have to have a little fun and he introduced the allowance concept a way long time ago each of getting the same even though small amount to do as we pleased with. :) Good luck with your new car planning things have changed so much I wonder myself what will do when the truck needs replacement ... I just can't imagine it due to the prices. The vehicle we drive now we got almost new because my Dad left it to me when he passed way in 2015. 10 years old now and we take good care of it ... I do dread the day when we have to get another vehicle.
@@ChrisSaenz13 Vehicles are so expensive now! I haven't had a car payment in many years and my 2010 model finally gave out. Even the high mileage used cars are $$$. It's hard to buy pens in this situation, but as you say, we all need to have a little budget for joyful things if we can manage it.
Hi Chris, I am currently doing a no buy (please don’t cringe 😬) and I have a few different reasons for doing this too. We are wanting to do some renovations to our house, I am trying to find joy in the wonderful pens, inks and stationery that I already have, and to slow down my purchasing habits. I feel as though there is so much FOMO in this hobby that one can get easily sidetracked with shiny new objects! Thank you for sharing your thought process and ideas, I enjoyed listening to your video 😊
Hi @jppenandink oh no I won't cringe ... it's just my own demand resistance roars onto the scene if I try this on MYSELF. LOL Last year I had a really good period of time while we were renovating that I didn't buy stuff ... and it was the first year I could easily purchase the Inkvent. Now that I have my eye on a specific pen I know I have to do something like this or I won't have the option of it and the Inkvent. There are several weaknesses I have including ink, Jinhao pens, and all kinds of shiny things that are always coming to my attention lol. :) Sometimes I just have to STOP to buy shirts or badly needed shoes. LOL
@@ChrisSaenz13 I understand completely Chris 😂
Your pen buying fast is going to be helpful to me. I am also on a pen buying fast because of moving and finances. It's always a little easier to do hard things when someone is doing them with you. I'm struggling with this because I'm in the middle of severe job burnout recovery and my fountain pens bring me so much joy. But I do have quite a few pens already that bring me a lot of joy, so I'm trying to focus on them. I'm not good at fasting anything, to be honest, but it's something I want to get better at. This will be good practice!
Hi @christadicken296 -- I hear you -- fasting anything can be tough!!!! The key to me giving up caffeine/coffee was the really really good payoff of drastically improved sleep. I think the payoff with this 3 month fast will be that it will put 2 things I really want within my price range and I will then get to be free to choose without breaking any other financial "rules" I/we have here.
I'm really sorry you're also dealing with severe job burnout ... I was there in the past and it is very hard. It's so good you found the fountain pen hobby and community ... which brings so much joy! There are always non spending ways to really enjoy the hobby like: watching live shows of favorite fountain pen you tubers, organizing your pens and inks, journaling, writing letters, learning about something and taking notes about it, focusing on nibs and/or nib tuning etc.
I'm glad I won't be doing this alone - it looks like more people here are also "in" for at least a few months to prepare for the final quarter of the year or a pen show, fountain pen day or Inkvent. :)
Chris, this is a great way of 'slowing' down the pen/ink buying. I've done very well for months and have not purchased any pens, inks or books, etc. I have had and still have other things that I want to buy or employ a tradesman to do DIY that I'm now unfortunately physically not able to do. It is a good incentive to save and redirect money elsewhere instead of spending buying items for my hobbies. I can honestly say that I have not had 'withdrawal' symptoms from not spending. You may have noticed that I have been absent from CZcams for a while. I was spending far too many hours watching CZcams videos, so I decided to take a complete break. Mind you, the weeks have still flown by, and this is the first YT video that I've watched since I stopped. Hope Manuel, your mother, yourself, etc., are all keeping well.
Hi Annie! I was just thinking of you!!!!! I'm glad to see you here!!!! I believe part of my being successful in not buying more pens is going to have to include a reduction of You Tube and Instagram "looking" because those are the places I see things I like. :) Right now the only pens that are really still calling to me are Benu pens.
My Mom is doing well at the moment and I'm so grateful she's back at her assisted living. Manuel is doing really well on Insulin ... he feels much better. I had hoped he could avoid it but it truly seems to be helping. :)
We're in the hot summer weather here and I'm reading, writing and carefully planning when to work outside so as not to overheat myself. :)
Take care Annie and thank you for commenting I always think of you and hope you're getting along well. :)
*FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!* No, the Texas sun hasn't gotten to ya (I'm in Georgia and it's pretty *warm* here too...) - this is an INCREDIBLE topic!!! Having STRATEGIES in place is POWERFUL!!!
(Also...THANKS for sharing your journey not only with pens but also health. As someone who is a few years behind ya...it SURE makes me feel SOOOO MUCH BETTER knowing that *I* am NOT the only one!!! Cheers to good health!!!)
Hi Aubrey! NIce to "see you" here!!! :) I'm really hoping I can do well so that I can get a pen I really want with a discount during the end of the year time frame and also maintain the "option" to get an Inkvent. It's a stretch on my budget this year but I think as long as I'm not treating pens like fast food and gobbling up compromise pens just to purchase something this will work good. The habits I've had lately left my pen account drained quite soon after ad $ arrived. :)
Hi Chris, my pen fast method is to stop watching so many fountain pen you tubers. I'm down to 3and my impulse buying is getting better, I've only purchased one fp ( a benu ) in the last 4months. I've stopped buying cheap pens but when my favorite pen shop had a 25% off, i couldn't resist.
I like the analogy of fasting and pen buying. It works for me,! Great video !
Hi Ann-Ingrid -- I'm thinking I'll have to try something like this as well. I do like to keep up with all the interesting things but that causes more triggers to research and buy things. :)
Amazing video! And very needed in the fountain pen community.
Thank you @elude3808
Chris I so enjoy the topics you tackle. I remember when the Draco came out. I wasn’t tempted at first but when it sold out I did second guess not buying it. I do think that delaying purchases and saving up for a pen like Benu is worth it. Their nibs are so smooth! I recently bought the Neapolitan Ice Cream from Goulet. My grandma would buy that flavor, unwrap the cardboard box and slice it so you would get all three flavors. Sweet memories of childhood.
Hi @kathycullenstern9652 -- it's so funny - I still don't know if I would have liked the Draco. I know the writing experience very well though from all the TWSBI nibs I already have but the pen body was pretty and at the time I was just horrified about the price point. That has changed but again, I think the Benu nibs are better somehow than TWSBI nibs. :) I'm glad you got the special Neapolitan Ice Cream Benu pen!!!!!!
I love this idea and wish it could work for me. lol
Fortunately, I've naturally slowed my pen buying over time. I don't bother to 'officially' say I'm putting myself on any kind of strict limit with them. I've learned that it sends a message out in the universe to try to make me change my mind.
Sometimes I buy a pen because I want to try a specific brand, or a favored pen came out in a different color that I really liked and wanted. I don't do that as much lately. Then there are the 'totally me' pens - the ones that you see and instantly want in your life. Fortunately for my pocketbook, those pens don't come around often. 😏 The 'totally me' pens might be insta-buys or if I need to save a bit, go on the wish list for a couple months. The only thing that stops me from getting those pens is if they are too close to something I already have and enjoy, if the price is too high for my budget (usually), or they were limited and no longer available.
When I say I'm going to purposely limit myself, that is when the universe decides to let me know about several 'totally me' pens to tempt me.
Hi @MarshaLove0723 this is such a good point ... I know exactly what you're saying!!!!! I'm hoping my energy around this project will result in a sort of "upgrade" in my ability to get what I really want ... where at the end of the fast the two things (1 pen, 1 Inkvent and hopefully 2 inks) will be fully funded and possible if I don't change my mind on them which will be totally okay if I do. I just seem to struggle with collecting enough $ in my pen account for the Benu pens ... that last one I got was everything I received from two months ad revenue lol. :) We'll see how this goes. I already feel more peace about it and it resonates me more than trying to pull a "no buy". Which always causes great demand resistance and the universe sends me too many temptations as well lol.
One trick that has helped me, might not for others, is to limit myself to one color of a pen model. It’s been working well the past two years. If anything, it makes me explore other pen makers and models.
Hi @ecdroy -- I would have done well to try something like this --- TWSBI, Lamy, Jinhao, Opus 88 and now Benu have really been almost irresistible (some of their pen models) .... all in the name of color variety within my favorite models but it led me to excess for sure. :) I think you're onto something!!!!!!!
This is a great video for my situation at the moment, just getting back on an 18:6 regime! My pen "fasting" is very simple: I relegate all fountain pen hobby purchases to my birthday, relationship anniversary, and christmas. Those days, for me, are well spaced throughout the year. Also, the items seem more special too because they become attached to special days, like "this pen is from our 8th aniversary!" That's just my method of course 😊
Hi @littlebadger -- that's a good strategy!!!! My birthday and Christmas are very close together and usually get mixed up in the whirlwind that is Christmas but I enjoy a birthday pen!!!!!!!!! :)
A wonderfully helpful analogy! Super awesome video🤗🥰Thank you!
Oh you are very welcome!!!! :)
Fantastic topic and very close to home. I appreciate your thoughts and will definitely be keeping them close to heart as I try and better understand my own purchasing habits. Thank you so much for sharing! 🤘🏼😸🧡🖋
Hi Casey!!! I'm finding myself out of balance in terms of work/life/hobby/family/You Tube etc ... I think I need to cultivate some other areas outside the pen hobby but I dearly want to stay with the hobby and the community!!!!
Chris, a very interesting experiment to control impulse buying. As you say there are rare times when you would miss out on a pen if you wited.
I've done this with pens I've desired. Waiting gave me time to reflect.
I'm very interested in the outcome of your plan. Well done.
Hi @raybuck -- I made a notebook (set it up I mean) yesterday to track and plan this. I would like it to become a routine cycle where I save up and then have a buying window. I'm not sure I could ever make it a whole year but I think that I could do 3 to 6 month intervals of fasting with a buying window when I've completed the saving period. I bet I'd only purchase what I most wanted after that kind of delay. LOL
I like the idea of having a pen buying fast. That should keep me from impulse buys. I know I said that I'm not planning on any purchases until the DC Pen Show - by not buying ahead of that, I will be more excited for the show. I like going with a list of things I want to look for but being open to something that catches my fancy.
Hi Terri - when is the DC pen show? I lose track. :) I did notice that the longer between purchasing a pen the more excited I am ... I was around 3 to 4 months before I got that little purple swirl Moonman Mini and I was over the moon for it it was really nice and not at all "routine" to have a package coming lol.
@@ChrisSaenz13 DC is the beginning of August. I didn't get to the Baltimore show in April for various reasons, so I'm extra glad to go to DC. They say it's the biggest show and I believe it. Huge. A bit overwhelming, but fun.
Insightful video Chris, funny too how similar we are in this hobby. I've told myself I can have the Early Grey for Christmas, if it's still around. Let's see how I get on! I'm going to rewatch your fasting video for some inspiration with my own health. Thank you.
Hi David - - I am so lucky now that the Benu pen I want is part of their regular offerings and as long as they keep making it I'll get one ... the Euphoria Vodka on the Rocks lol. It's just that the pen budget is tight when I'm "up" in Benu territory lol. :) Hopefully I can get that one for Christmas but Manuel is still working on the Christmas spending plan. If I can do this buying fast 1/2 as good as I do my health fasts I'll meet my goals for the rest of the year. :)
Oh and I FINALLY tried your tip on using a vinyl hose to ink my ECOs with a smaller sample. I had purchased a batch of hose way back when you first posted the video and I even cut down a piece to use, but I guess I was intimidated. I finally tried it the other day and it worked wonderfully! Im so happy!
Hi @bluebobbin2803 -- oh that's really cool I'm glad! Did you try it over the sink ... I always feel best when I use the hose technique over my stainless kitchen sink. :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 I’m sorry Chris! I used a different CZcams profile than my. normal pens and planner profile! And yes I certainly did do it right over the sink! I wasn’t taking any chances!
Nice to share your plans with us, I like your analogies with diet. I'm practicing similarly too. Hope you stick with it - personal victories are wonderful! Btw: SETX here too- brutal WX 🤒
Hi @JRDiaz-tn5kb thank you ... I'll be updating as to how it goes. The biggest trigger to spend for me is when I get the ad revenue in from You Tube. :) So my biggest obstacle is delaying buying ... kind of like delaying eating. :)
I went off the rails two years ago when i got my Leonardo momento magico and I've been trying to get back on the rails ever sense theres no doubt I've been on a low buy or a very thought ful buy sense ... I may have to make a video about my thoughts on this :)
Hi Marilyn -- oh I would love to hear your thoughts about this!!!! I know how much I have chased the next bottle of ink and the next pens and multiples of pens I really like even thought I have had so many TWSBI Ecos .... I think now I probably have slowed down mostly for financial reasons but I'd like to get to a mindset place where even if I have the cash in my account ... I could be much more discerning and buy less often ... making fewer purchase mistakes. LOL Anyway, I hope you make a video. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I believe I have the Benu Talisman you mentioned… it‘s called „Wild Rose“, I bought it back in February of 2022 when Benu was still situated in Russia - shortly after that they removed their whole business to Armenia as we know due to the war in the Ukraine. I love all my Benu pens. :) Just ordered my second Ambrosia model directly from their website - I think you can only get that model there… it´s the Blue Lotus… gorgeous purples, pinks and blues… :) I really admire your discipline in your intermittent fasting life as well as your plans for the pen buying fast and I‘m looking forward to hearing how it‘s progressing over time. ;)
Hi @Heidejournal - yes that sounds right ... it was a beautiful pink and I believe they made 300 but maybe I'm wrong. Who knows if I would have been as wild about it as I think ... probably because not one of the Benu pens have disappointed me in any way.
Did you see the Dracula one? Way out of price range for me and likely will be sold out before I can save the $. :) But it's really unique and I like it.
I started my notebook to track everything ... I'm just trying to lengthen my period of not buying pens so that money can add up and I can afford the nicer pens and things I now tend to want. :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 I saw the Dracula Benu Euphoria, but I‘m not so much into painted pens. With one exception… I would love to get my hands on the Scribo La Dotta Acquerello. I missed out on that pen and now it‘s completely sold out everywhere. I also want to stay away from buying cheaper pens now in order to be able to afford pricier ones. Let‘s see how we get on with that plan. :)
Great tips !
I went through different phases of FP buying - “Pocket pens”, “Vintage pens”, “Retractable pens”, “Parkers” etc.., but I was largely unsuccessful in following my goals to resist my next purchase ! However, now I’m on a permanent buying fast with a focus on using those FPs I acquired during the last 3 or so years..
That my buying preference has shifted to affordable watches these days (and I’m struggling to exercise a restraint) is a story for another day 😞
Hi @sathishrao7926 -- it is tricky how we sometimes transfer our collecting from one type of thing to another altogether. :) I feel like I'd really be DONE buying fountain pens if it was not for the deeper discovery of how much I love Benu Euphoria pens. I don't know. Jinhao pens get me every time too because they are so affordable and I love the colors and the nib swapping opportunity. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to go 3 months without buying a fountain pen so that tells me I need to. :)
I like this analogy. I’m an intermittent faster too so it resonates with me. I know I’ll have to choose my Hobonichi purchases in September so I’m going to have to figure out my buying window! Thanks for the video.
Hi @FranM6179 -- oh that's a good thing to prepare for ... the Hobonichi release! I am unsure if I will stick to the Weeks planner for next year ... I'm barely using it and I am back to fully utilizing my bullet journal post-pandemic again so I don't need it but my very favorite cover in the world from Galen Leather holds the Weeks so it's a true dilemma ... I may plan to get a simple Hobonichi Weeks in a solid color again just to be able to continue to use that cover unless I can find a fountain pen friendly correctly sized notebook plain to put in that zipper Galen Hobinichi case. :)
40 pens of the same model and nib... Ouch, Chris! 😂 You got me! I've gotten almost all colors and models for the Esterbrook J series, so far, and because they're vintage, I've taken what nibs they came with, usually the almost default 2668s.
Nice thing is, now I can be picky. So, with that line, I've been focusing on the earlier ones (1948-52) as they tend to have a prettier patterning. More rippling and chatoyance.
And then I have recently acquired several I'd never seen outside of pictures, before. A couple colors of the transitional Esterbrook Js I'd never seen "in the wild." And one had a 2968 broad nib. 😉
Then there's the two that I returned to the US from Argentina. A 1938 Esterbrook B in a really nice "root beer" copper. Though the pictures didn't show the nib well at all, when it arrived, had a unicorn. A very rare 3968 "sunburst" broad nib.
Was originally sold as a set, with a period correct Esterbrook mechanical pencil, but the seller, for some reason, (I think they sold it while they had the listing on eBay, on accident) didn't have the pencil anymore, so they offered another Esterbrook B in again a color I didn't have in replacement.
And this had the somewhat later 9968 broad. Not only 2 I didn't have in my collection, but now a complete set of the x968 broad nibs! Brand new condition? Well, the pens look like new, except for needing new ink sacs. Nibs pretty obviously saw use, but they're very hard to find that didn't see use, anymore. Just still in very good condition (no real wear.)
I'm keeping my eye on several more, but they have to be the right price. I could have gotten all the J and LJ colors already. If I had the money. But, on my limited disability income...😉
The 2 from Argentina? $20 each, including the nibs. The other one? $10! (They're out there, if you're patient enough and willing to do about 5 minutes of work.)
Then for my niece... I have a Parker 45 on the way. And I'm trying to find an Esterbrook Dip-Less for the inkwell I already got her. She's looking for a medium nib, so if it doesn't have one, I already have multiple mediums. (Probably putting in the more durable 9668. I trust her not to spring the nib. She's done dip pen calligraphy. She knows what she's doing. 😁)
Delayed gratification does work. 😉 FOMO? So? If you can't get it, you really didn't need it. You're absolutely right. Wait and see. Be patient. If you finally can get it, it's that more important to you, then. Just like with not eating right away. 😉
Interesting thoughts on pen and intermittent fasting analogies. It does make sense and I think you’ll be successful with it. I already have my grail pens so I really don’t buy many pens now at all, I’m happy with what have in fact I’m on a pen selling kick now with the pens I no longer reach for. As I get older I’m becoming more of a minimalist!
Hi @lju5001 it's funny to me because if I had not started in with Benu pens I feel as if I'd be much less "after" any pens with the exception to any new nice color of a beloved Jinhao or Moonman in the lower price bracket. :) I have all the gold nib pens I ever care to have and prefer steel nibs. I wonder if I will ever get brave enough to sell or trade some pens. If I could get a few more Benu pens I would trade for some of my others ... I have been thinking of making a list of pens I'm willing to trade but I have a bit of fear around complicated deals. In person would be best at a pen club meeting if there was one near me. LOL I have been a "want to be" minimalist for a few years now and I've pulled it off only in certain categories. Pens and books I have not. :)
Great video! Revisiting an infrequently used pen is another useful strategy. I just inked up a pen (Platinum Procyon) that I haven't used since 2021. It is a good writer and it feels like I got a new pen!
Hi Andrew - this is so true - now that I have more pens some are sort of ... "out of sight out of mind" and I think revisits to some of my neglected pens would be just the ticket while I rebuild my pen account. :)
Wow I love your analogy of intermittent fasting and pen fasting. LOVE it. It makes perfect sense too! I also do IF but only about 16 hours or so, with two meals. I also am trying to move into longer periods once or twice a month.
Anyway, I don’t spend a lot of money on pens, my most expensive one is talisman. I am trying to find joy in my less expensive pens. And I’m trying to use up my ink samples too, instead of hoarding them. Thank you so much for your thoughts on this. It was so helpful.
Hi @bluebobbin2803 - oh cool you also use intermittent fasting! Ironically, I find that being able to have a longer fast window depends (for me) on lowering my carbs and/or being very consistent with the longer fast as that burns down the glucose very well and I then do not feel hungry. Of course I'm post-menopausal and can get away with longer fast intervals and can't give medical advice since I'm only a regular person not a nutritionist or doctor but those are the 2 things that make a difference for me.
I did not used to (with RARE exception) spend over $60 for a fountain pen but then I found Benu and Opus 88 ... I don't plan anymore Opus 88 purchases but I'm crazy about Benu pens which has forced me to find some way to save up my pen $. LOL
@@ChrisSaenz13 it’s me again with the right profile account, so sorry I used the wrong one when I posted! I wish I caught it and I could have deleted the message and started again! Thank you for your extra advice! We are just about the same age! I can relate to a lot of stuff you say! You are one of my fave channels. Thank you!
I for one really appreciate this video! My pen purchasing is not so much the amount of spending as it is the number of pens. Still, it bothers me to feel kind of out of control. You have inspired me to try the intermittent concept. I am thinking of tagging along on your journey for inspiration.
Hi @RainmanP99 oh that's interesting ... I think I over obsess around cost/money/price vs a reasonable number of pens in my collection (mine is unreasonable for sure and includes 50% pens that were sent to me). Cool, I am looking forward to this and I think I have created a big enough pay off at the end of the 3 months that success will equal something I really want. It has always been harder for me to save up for things. :)
Dont you worry about inkvent I can send you huge samples if you want I have only used them once and I am totally willing to share the ones I have with you if you want any let me know and I'll send them your way :) Lord knows I need more ink like I need a hole in my head but I'm willing to share :)
Oh gosh no ... that is TOO MUCH WORK. I don't want you going thru that!!!!!! I'm gonna save and see how I come out for the pen and the Invent I am "after" lol. But thank you ... you are the best.
@@ChrisSaenz13Its no trouble at all or perhaps coud send you half and cathie could send you half :) but Ill stik around to see how the financial report comes out near the time to buy
This is a great analogy Chris! I think it will work well for you
Hi @ramonafirehorse thank you - I set up a notebook for this and will look forward to updating however it goes. LOL
Wow this sounds very interesting. I would love to see how this will work for you. Keep us updated. Thank you.
Hi @fmbrownie2916 will do ... I'm excited and scared at the same time.
You are actually inspiring me to do one too. Now I‘m thinking… 😅the next big event will be the fountain pen day. And I‘ve spent quite some money at the Dutch Penshow. So it would be good for sure. Ok. I need to think about that.
Hi @Blue_Rosemarie oh that's right ... fountain pen day! I know sometime around September or October I usually get into really deciding if I want to do Inkvent. Believe it or not I've had trouble saving up for that some years but this year I "want" both Inkvent and a particular (regularly stocked) Benu fountain pen. So I have powerful incentive to do this. :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 I also had trouble saving up in the past quite a bit. But I don‘t want to overspend anymore. I think I‘ve slowed down purchasing stuff, because I‘m getting more satisfaction out of my collection. My goal is to refine it so that every single pen deserves it‘s place. And that I will love all of them.
Cudos for being an intermittent faster of a minimum of 20 hours a day! That's something I need to work on achieving as well! Does that mean you don't even have black coffee or tea during your fasting window? Or do you have some but with no sweetener? You are looking very bright and healthy!
In your next video could you say something about your strategies when it comes to partaking in special social events? Do you sometimes just not eat at social events? Or not go to the events? It's so true that these events pop up so often and I think it's necessary to learn how to not let them throw you off your game! I haven't learnt that yet!
I like your line of thought about drawing analogies between pen buying fasting and food fasting and the transferable skills.
I also need to fast from watching too many pen videos and looking around for pens to buy, and spend more time actually just using my pens! Even though I have a very modest small pen collection of lamy's mainly, I still find I hardly even get around to using them!
P.S. I have since making my comment above looked at another video of yours and you mentioned that you had given up coffee! Amazing! Congrats! Do you now have herbal tea? Or no hot drinks at all?
Hi @MagdalenaGniatczynaka - I drink almost exclusively water during my fast window but I do have non flavored decaffinated coffee which it done by the Swiss method so it has almost zero caffeine -- I drink that in the morning occasionally (although it's too hot now during summer) it doesn't have flavoring and I drink it black. I can also have no caffeine teas which I like in the winter. The coffee is Kicking Horse Decaf.
LOL at first people in my family and circle really picked on me about the intermittent fasting and I think they believed it was a fad I'd quickly tire of but now they even call me the day before if they want me to eat with them or something ... which is great because I then know the approximate time and I can plan around it ... plus most of the eating people do where I might be involved falls between the 4 hour window I have: 10 am to 2 pm that covers lunch pretty well and I just don't seem to eat at anything after that time. I have been known to bring my caffeine free tea and/or water and they all know how I am now. :)
Good luck , great comparison.
Thank you @knifenoob5411
I'm in.
Hi @pdtrubber -- alright cool!!!!!
Most years I avoid buying pens during Lent which is a bit like this. I don’t need to buy any now as I just got two when Goldspot had a half price sale.
Hi @cathiescott7382 I have been noticing Goldspot has some incredible deals. :) Lent is such a good time to avoid buying - I hadn't thought of that. Here, summer is our most expensive time .... July thru September especially. So it will help for me to be careful and not juggling pen purchases during this time. Plus, I know I have so many awesome pens to write with and work on. :) If not for Benu pens I would not be "after" any pens. LOL
Very interesting Chris!
Hi @courtney9212
I think you’re onto something here!
Hi @jamessims9475
:)
A wonderfully helpful analogy! Super awesome video🤗🥰Thank you!
Hi @cynthiak2216 you're very welcome!