Posted by It’s time again for my annual wish list of items I wish I could afford to buy in the coming year. Last year, my (more doable) wish list consisted of 5 items:
Remove dead trees from backyard and upgrade landscape. Budget: $2200
Purchase a gas-powered chipper shredder. Budget: $500
Install a video surveillance system. Budget: $100
Get a used Kitchenaid Artesian Mixer. Budget: $80
Get a used Thrustmaster or Logitech steering wheel. Budget: $50
The dead tree is still in my backyard. Although, I have trimmed off the top with a 15-foot pole saw while on a 10-foot ladder. I think I could handle cutting the tree from the top down if I had a chainsaw. My plan now is to acquire a cordless electric chainsaw to do the job. The one on my list for 2026 is the EGO POWER+ 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw. I’m looking for one with a 4 Ah battery included for under $300.
The gas-powered chipper shredder was delayed once again. I saw a few on Facebook marketplace, but the ones in good condition sell fast. I made 3 trips to the local yard waste dump this fall instead. As long as they have free drop off twice a year, I’m in no hurry to buy a chipper/shredder.
I found a video surveillance system on ShopGoodwill.com and paid $71.50 with tax and shipping. It was an older model Night Owl system with 1080p and up to 8 cameras. The hard drive started making noise after a few months of use, so I had to spend another $40 to get a replacement. The replacement drive has 2X larger capacity, so it was also an upgrade. Check one item off the list for 2025.
The KitchenAid Mixer didn’t happen as I started to focus on other things I needed more. We don’t do a lot of baking, so it is a lower priority. I did find a used Thrustmaster MX racing wheel in 2025. It has force feedback and was a nice upgrade from my old Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 wheel. The MX wheel can use the same peddles as the 458, so I was able to save a few bucks by just getting the wheel. Check another item off the list.
My wish list for 2026 looks like this:
- EGO POWER+ 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw. Budget: $300
- Used KitchenAid Artesian Mixer: Budget: $80
- Cuisinart Air Fryer: Budget: $80
- WEP 948D-I High Power Desoldering Station: Budget: $120
- New flooring for home office: Budget: $600