The Chronic Consumer

Today is the start of the 2009 NCAA Football season for the Missouri Tigers. To celebrate my first year of attending a school big enough to field a Division I team, I went a little crazy ordering apparel and merchandise a few weeks ago. One of the items I purchased was this foam football with the Missouri logo on it.

This foam football is only about six or seven inches long, so it’s not meant for playing out in the backyard or whatever. I actually keep it at my desk and use it as a stress reliever/thinking toy. I toss it up and down to myself when I’m trying to come up with ideas for my term papers and essays, or I just squeeze it between my hands when I’m on hold with a clueless customer service rep and am trying to keep my cool.

My Tigers foam football is a two-tone black and gold (we’re talking about MU, after all!) and even has laces on the gold section for a more authentic look. (Well, as authentic as a mini foam football can get!).

I’m sure this football will get a workout as I sit and watch the Tigers try to claw their way back into the Top 25 this year. Go ‘Zou!!!

I’ve had my little compact car for six years now. I’ve been thinking about maybe trading it in for a Toyota Prius, because I would love to have a bigger vehicle to drive. But then I remember how much more I love not having to make any car payments, and I decide to just keep on living with the old one for a few more years.

That said, I should at least treat myself to some upgrades to help make my car a bit more tolerable. For example, a newer stereo system would be nice, because every time I play a CD in the one I have now, it skips. One of those high-tech gps systems that everyone seems to have would be cool too. I would feel much better with an on-board navigator telling me exactly how to get to my destination.

In addition to optional upgrades, we do need to start replacing parts as well. New tires and a new battery for sure, and then probably new filters and maybe new brakes too.

Sure, all of this will be expensive, but still much, much less than buying a whole new car!

I was just reading a Forbes article about “Eight Million-Dollar Businesses You’ve Never Heard Of”. I thought it was pretty interesting, as it shows that there’s a niche for just about anything, including pet relocation and Fiero parts.

One of the coolest businesses on the list — and the one I’d be most likely to buy something from — is DNA 11 Art. This is a company that turns your own DNA into framed artwork by turning a submitted sample (just a simple cheek swab, which the company destroys after completing the product) into an image that looks like the one above.

The DNA portraits are pretty expensive ($225), but they’re unique and look pretty sweet! I’d love to have one of these for my living room wall, so I’m adding this to my Wish List right now!