Buying Duplicates [more]

When something is extremely useful and fairly cheap, I buy two or three (or more) of them, both to have a backup in case the item is lost or broken, and also to keep one in each place where I might use it (e.g., one at home, one at work).

By doing this, I don’t have to carry items around so much (and in turn am also less likely to lose/break them).

For example, I spend most of my time sitting or lying down in six main places: the bed in my bedroom, the chair in my study, the front seat of my car, the chair in my office, the couch in my den, and my piano bench.

In four of those places, I’m usually or often reading (bedroom, study, office, piano). Thus, I keep a pair of reading glasses in each of those places, just in case I don’t have my regular ones on me.

Similarly, I like to track my blood pressure, so I keep a monitor at work and one at home.

In terms of music, I have midi keyboards in my study and office in addition to my actual piano.

I keep charging cables in all main locations (office, car, study, bedroom, living room).

I keep a duplicate set of toiletries (soap, shampoo, shaving items, towel) both at home and at work.

I keep bags of diet-friendly snacks (nuts, dried fruit) in multiple places in my house.

In general, anytime I find myself carrying something around the house or between home and work, I get a second or third one so I have one for each place. (Many other items make sense for this, such as pens, knives, scissors, rulers, screwdrivers, and flashlights.)

A related concept is buying duplicates of any “great” thing you find (in case the one you have is lost or broken and replacements are no longer available). As to that, I’ve bought multiple bracelets, watches, rings, wallets, whenever I’ve found one that is truly perfect. This isn’t necessarily practical for some items (such as large or expensive things), but it makes sense for any small/inexpensive item you really like.