Who has the biggest dividend?

“We got our REI dividend check today. It was $44.88. How 'bout you all? Are you headed out to spend it tonight? And can you remember what you managed to spend all that $ on this past year? I'm not quite sure. We are going to spend it tonight!”

“I need booties.
(o;3”

“I just have mine reinvested.”

“Still waiting for mine, last year I spent it on new tent stakes, a stuff sack and a head lamp. A few years ago it was an ice axe.”

“Got mine, too... $70 plus this year... it was nearly $130 last year... I guess I've GOT most of the stuff I NEED... but now I gotta spend that dividend on something frivilous... any suggestions?”

“Only $49.71 this year, what a disappointment. I could've swore I spent a small fortune there this year.”

“All of you did better than I did. I spent quite a few $$$ there last year, but had forgotten than most of it was sale items. Oh well...”

“Yeah Obi, I have an idea. You could buy me a new stove, or help me pay for a new bag. Thanks bud!”

“Like Alpine, it looks like I bought everything on sale, but I still managed $30.87.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to rei.com I go.”

“Oldie... I put one in layaway for ya here in Napa... oops... I forgot... you don't LIVE here...Harrrrrrr!”

“It sure ain't me!!”

“i spent, like 750, and got, like 26.

i buy ALOT of stuff on sale.”

“$880 spent, $350 of which were sale items, total dividend $57.90. It's time for a little spending spree.”

“Re-Reading this thread, it occurred to me that my dividend check - and yours - aren't an accurate indicator of what was "invested" (this, from an investment guy, who doesn't like the word "spent") in gear and stuff. In-point-of-fact, I started another thread about some Ex Officio shirts I found that were more than just sale priced - they were bargains.

Admittedly, I shop REI a lot, and I look for sale items there, too. This past year, though, I've increased - consciously or otherwise - my online gear shopping. I haven't kept track of it, but it still doesn't measure up to what I buy "in person"... It'd be interesting to have people note whether they've done any substantial buying online, REI or otherwise...”

“I got $162.11, but then I again, I have their credit card and charged all my business travel on it.

Now what am I going to buy!”

“$1.48 I gotta try harder!”

“Obi Wan: Whatever you do, don't keep track of what you spend on gear! That's just not right!!

To answer your question though, I've recently spent quite a few hundred dollars on gear, and its been mostly online. It's not that I don't patronize my local REI store anymore; I still regard it as hallowed ground. But the reality is that they're selection can be fairly limited, and they're prices are often unremarkable.

My online purchases have mostly been for gear that I couldn't find locally, and they're typically sale items that have averaged 30-40% off retail. Obviously, the overall savings far exceeded the few dollars spent on shipping. BTW, I've yet to have a negative experience with any of these transactions. Here's a few site suggestions that I'd personally vouch for.

REI.com
Campmor.com
Backcountrygear.com
Outdooroutlet.com
Sonomaoutfitters.com

Also, I've got some advise (which I've been meaning to follow myself) for increasing the size of your REI dividend. Dump your current VISA, and get an REI VISA. It's a no fee, low interest card, and has the usual high limits available. The real benefit is that they'll pay you an additional 1% on your dividend check for ALL your VISA purchases. That's "ALL", as in anything/anywhere. While 1% doesn't sound like much, it can really add up if it's a year where you're making some large purchases, or perhaps use your card for business or a vacation. It's basically free money.

A friend of mine took this concept to it's extreme. While acting as the general contractor on the construction of his home, he sourced most of the materials at Home Depot with his REI VISA. The next year he had a four figure dividend check, which he used to purchase a couple of bicycles. Pretty sweet deal if you're already spending the money anyway! No reason you couldn't do the same to buy something big like a car. Just make sure you finance it elsewhere before the bill comes due!”

“I haven't gotten mine but I don't think I bought alot of anything. Maybe a few maps and thats about it. My next years though is going to be nice... I got a job and whoa... I can buy nice new shiny gear. Even thoug I buy most of my items on sale, it well be interesting to see how much I get.”

“I got my check $17.00. I bought most of my stuff 3 years ago when I arrived in WA. My return the next year was over $300.00.

obi, REI sells snacks. $70 would buy a lot of candy :{}”

“$23. I bought waay more on sale than I did regular price.

Still, $23 is $23. Maybe I'll buy something I don't normally, like the freeze dried food or something.”

“$29...







...and it already gone!

It is usually not enough for the item I'm dreaming about, so I try to buy several small things that will be helpful. I got a pack cover, and a nalgene bottle for the wife (yes, the pretty colored ones). Sure, I ended up spending a little more than my dividend, but isn't that REI's goal?”

“I just got mine yesterday. $145.00. Same as BaSO4, I got the credit card and made some business trips with it.

I can't imagine getting a check for $300! Geez lipstick, you must have been rich to spend $3,000 on gear in one year.”

“I got mine today! $68.95.
If only I still made business trips. That was sweet.
Now what will $69 buy?”

“$18.42 I bought too much on sale. I also didn't do much getting out last year so didn't spend the bones on food.”

“I just got into REI so I'll get some $$ next year. Now that we got one about 35 miles from me, I'm gonna be in BIG trouble. Time for a NEW parka.
MOOHAHAHA!!!”

“Women are always surprised and amazed at MY dividend!”

“Griz - What, exactly IS the coupon code? You didn't mention it, nor did you mention the amount of the "discount" attributable to it... would you enlighten us?

Thans!”

“Obi Wan:
Code 95KPX
Get 10% discount on one full priced item when you use your dividend.”

“my divi was a whoppin' 9 dollars(and 88 cents) whoohoo!

I'll try not to go too crazy with it...
;o)”

“I feel in good company with the other cheapskates ($21 dividend). Don't forget the 10% off coupon that comes with it, just like money.”