Minerva’s Top Six Things Worth the Money
Image of Minerva Siegel with her MCW weekender
We all want to spend our money wisely, but some aspects of our modern lives make doing so challenging. Between disingenuous influencer culture and the rise of AI (with its deceptive, largely unregulated uses in marketing), it’s become more difficult than ever to discern quality vs. too-good-to-be-true gimmick. I want it all: products that spark joy when it comes to design, functionality, sensibility, and quality—all without an inflated price tag, because overpaying for anything makes me feel ill. These are the top six purchases that I consider to be my best, in no particular order.
I’m partnered with MCW, so there are affiliate links in the MCW content from which I earn commission, with which I will buy more carpetbags. :) All opinions are exclusively my own and not a reflection on any other person or brand.
Now, without further ado:
A Rug Doctor
I rescue chronically neglected, hospice, and senior animals; owning a good carpet cleaner is a necessity when one has as many weird, old dogs as I do. Before finding my Rug Doctor Pro Deep Carpet Cleaner, I tried so many other brands—many advertised as being great for pet households—and was never pleased with them. They were difficult to clean, or hoses would break, or they would lose suction power quickly, or the attachments would leak. Having spent over a grand on disappointing alternatives, I finally decided to invest nearly $700 in the Rug Doctor Pro Deep Carpet Cleaner, and it was absolutely the best decision. It’s simple, easy to maintain, lighter than some of the mainstream units I’d bought previously, and—best of all—it works so well. I couldn’t be happier with it. Thank you, Rug Doctor, for making a functional, long-lasting carpet and rug cleaner.
At-Home Gel Mani/Pedi Supplies
There are a lot of reasons why people are gravitating toward at-home manis and pedis. Many are struggling to afford the rising costs of professional nail care, while some simply have trouble finding a salon they’re happy with. I’m sure there are a lot of hardworking, skillful nail techs out there, but they can be hard to find, and the search can be discouraging and frustrating. I do my own gel nails at home now, and I’m so glad to have made the switch. The supplies to get started cost me less than a single trip to the nail salon.
My hands are incurably disabled in multiple ways, and I’ve been having failed surgeries on them since I was nine years old. Maybe I’m overly-sensitive about the way my hands look, but I’ve left so many nail salon appointments in tears. Nail techs have embarrassed and shamed me for having huge scars, swelling, redness, mottling, etc. They make such a fuss over my hands that those getting their nails done around me rubber-neck to gawk at my disabled body. It’s uncomfortably and disheartening.
Beyond that, I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (vascular type) which necessitates specific cuticle and nail care, but nail techs have always ignored my doctors’ instructions; simple things like, “Cuticles need to be pushed back, not cut.” Ignoring these guidelines leads to injuries and bleeding every single time, which, for an immunocompromised person on blood thinners, is not good.
I want pretty nails, but not the injuries, stress, and shame that nail techs have always caused me. So, I’ve started doing my nails at home! I didn’t know if I’d be able to as I don’t always have a wealth of dexterity, but I spent $30 on a UV nail light, bought an array of gel polishes (I’m not yet brand loyal), a cuticle pusher, and nail buffer, then got to work. I’m pleased with the results! I don’t do acrylic nails, though maybe that’s an adventure for the future. Still, my polish is long-lasting and pretty, and I no longer bleed during cuticle maintenance as I follow the medical guidelines techs refused to. I’m very glad that I invested in the supplies to do gel manicures and pedicures at home by myself, it’s been a game-changer for me!
Great Brassieres
Particularly if you’re plus size, like me, good brassieres are always worth investment. I remember spending endless hours in department store dressing rooms filled with boxes of sad, thin, beige bras, wondering why none of them seemed to be meant for me. They would dig, pinch, poke, prod, squeeze, squish, and generally just fit so poorly that they had me questioning whether or not comfortable, well-fitting bras existed.
Eventually, my search led me to Torrid, a store catering to plus size clientele. The moment I tried on one of their “balconette” style brassieres for the first time, a heavenly ray of sparkling sunshine beamed down to illuminate my dressing room. Supernatural wind swirled around me á la Harry Potter choosing a wand. An unseen harp began playing a celebratory melody, and my bosom felt as though it was being cradled by angel wings. Finally, my 40DDDs were home. Snug as a bug in a rug. Comfy, cozy, happy. Torrid bras even come in a huge variety of attractive colors and patterns. A comfortable, well-fitting brassiere AND it’s covered in bats?! What more could anyone want?
I have dozens of their bras now in all different styles: balconette, bralettes, front-close, plunge, strapless, and more. “That’s not very feminist of you!” bra-burners may cry, but I’m sensitive. I don’t know how others can stand the feeling of going without one, and pasties irritate my skin. Brassieres aren’t a symbol of conformity to the patriarchal gaze for me; they’re comfort. And Torrid has me covered.
MCW Carpetbags
Whom among us did not grow up watching the mystical Mary Poppins pull items that were impossibly large from her magic carpet bag? Carpet bags were popular in the 1800s, but still used well into the 1900s. So many of my favorite literary classics and silver screen films feature carpet bags, which is what initially piqued my curiosity and drove me to learn more about them. Top-handled and made from carpet, they were used by the likes of the adventurous Phileas Fogg, notorious sea captain Ishmael, the charismatic Anne Shirley of Green Gables, and, of course, the marvelously magical Mary Poppins.
I’ve always felt such a draw to Victoriana, and have dreamed of owning a Victorian-inspired bag for decades—not a plastic, steam punk monstrosity, which is what predominantly appears when one searches for a Victorian-inspired bag—but something akin to what people used historically. I finally found everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more in Max Carpetbag Works. Their historically-reverent designs are gorgeous, functional, and hardy.
I bought a Burnout Velvet Revival Sephia Carpetbag Weekender from MCW, and the Burnout Velvet Revival Jade Chatelaine Wristlet Carpetbag. I was so impressed with the design and quality that I applied to their affiliate program. They accepted me, and sent me a Burnout Velvet Green Jade Large Chatelaine Carpetbag. I couldn’t be more pleased with any of them, and look forward to expanding my collection! They offer modern conveniences like smooth, quality hinges. Some designs have hidden interior pockets and matching shoulder straps, proving MCW cares just as much about functionality as they do aesthetics. Everywhere I go with an MCW carpetbag, I’m stopped and asked about it. Their bags are heirloom quality, and MCW offers repair guides and services to keep the them in good working order for generations to come. They truly leave nothing to be desired.
My Ultra-Tiny Car
My Mercedes-Benz Smart Fortwo was one of the best purchases I ever made. I bought it about ten years ago for under $10,000, and it’s in great shape, though it’s only been to a mechanic once. My husband changes the oil and maintains the engine, despite having no formal training in car mechanics. The gas mileage alone makes it a great decision. On the highway, I’ve clocked it getting as much as eighty miles to the gallon, which, in this economy, can be life-changing gas milage.
I live in Wisconsin, so it’s stowed in my garage during the snowy months—but, some winters, we get hardly any snow. It operates well in cold temps, so it’s drivable most of the year. I have a Ford Transit Connect and a Ford F-150, too. The Transit is useful for carting around my dogs or my larger electric wheelchair, while the F-150 is great for hauling yard care debris, bulky thrift store finds, or large rented equipment. My little Smart is great for putting around town on little trips, and my smallest electric wheelchair fits in the back! People always ask me how fast it can go. It’s generally okay on the highway, though it gets a bit shaky at high speeds on windy days.
Admittedly, my husband has gotten the dreaded, “Hi, I bought something big and didn’t consider the fact that it won’t fit in the vehicle I brought. I’m stranded in the parking lot, help me,” phone calls. He shows up like a knight in shining armor to toss the huge storage totes, vintage steamer trunks, or several 50lb bags of dog food into whichever larger vehicle he brought to rescue me. But the Smart is surprisingly roomy and comfortable, even for two large people. It handles like an absolute dream, and the gears shift hard, which makes me feel like I’m driving a race car. Everywhere I go, people stop me in parking lots to talk about it, and they’re incredibly safe. My Smart was worth every penny, I remain absolutely in love with it ten years on, and it’s probably paid for itself in fuel savings by now.
Pet Adoption Fees
Last, but certainly not least on this list of my best purchases: adoption fees! They’re such a small price to pay for true love! Shelters everywhere are desperate for adopters, fosters, and volunteers. So many wonderful animals have found themselves down on their luck through no fault of their own. Visit Petfinder or your local shelter to rescue your new best friend today!