Some of the best things in life are free, others cost much less than the pleasure they provide. The reverse is also true. Does an expensive car, house or holiday really give value for money?
I think not. But let’s look at the cheap thrills that I think provide good value for money. First there is BBC Radio. At present this costs nothing if you don’t own a TV, although my suspicion is that the TV Licence will be abolished and replaced by a government grant to the BBC, meaning that every taxpayer will become a contributor to the running costs of the BBC. (Comment from The Tax Payers’ Alliance welcome.)
An example of excellence is the BBC World Service. On Friday morning their programme, Newshour Extra, was an hour long debate called Watching Big Brother. It discussed whether government surveillance is a threat to personal privacy. World Service programmes such as this are far superior to the dumbed-down fare on offer on BBC Radio 4. As you will have already guessed, I am also a big fan of BBC Radio 3, even if silly quizes and name-checking listeners are both maddening intrusions in their morning broadcasts.
Other pleasures have to be paid for. A prime example is a Nespresso machine. Mine is seven years old and cost a little over £100, although they are cheaper now. Having good coffee on tap with a minimum of cleaning and maintenance is a luxury I take for granted until I am separated from it. (The coffee pods cost about 30p each and, for a strong cup, I use two.)
Another device that punches above its weight is a Libratone speaker. It is cheaper and better than a similar Bang & Olufsen speaker. Libratone speakers are made in Ireland and are simplicity itself. You plug them into the mains and choose what to listen to on an iPhone or iPad using the Airplay symbol on the screen. All you need is a good wifi signal. I have two, costing about £450 each, and this is what they look like.
These speakers are about 46 cm. high and sit relatively unobtrusively on the floor. They are especially good for enhancing the sound when watching TV and films on an iPad, although I use them for radio and music stored on my iPad too.
Nespresso and Libratone gadgets are luxuries – very first world – but they both improve the quality of life (relatively) cheaply.