Figured a fun thread could be best Black Friday purchases for those in this industry. Looking for some ideas to spend on to make myself feel better about the hours I work. I’ll start with my favorites:
-New non-stick pans
-A $500 stick vacuum
-A $150 mini tv for my room
-New Sheets/Blanket
-A decent Monitor/ Keyboard
| +96 | Investment Banking US League Table YTD 2024 (FactSet) | 70 | 3h | |
| +79 | Intern Ettiquette | 17 | 1d | |
| +77 | Would comitting to ATL İB be stupid? Please give feedback. | 44 | 6h | |
| +58 | A shitter's comprehensive guide to sophomore year recruiting | 6 | 6h | |
| +56 | NEED NY RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS | 37 | 16h | |
| +53 | What's up with RBC nowadays? | 18 | 7h | |
| +31 | Sleeping on Jefferies??? | 12 | 34m | |
| +30 | “Americans just work harder” | 16 | 13h | |
| +28 | About to join a notoriously “sweaty” group | 7 | 21h | |
| +27 | PSA to gymcels: focus on the summer internship | 13 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Bump cool thread
Two things that go a long way in banking are a good WFH setup (spend the money on a nice chair) and a nice bed with high quality pillows and sheets. You won’t regret spending the extra money.
Where would you recommend getting the pillows from?
Black Friday is the Special Olympics of capitalism. How about we don't do this
What a pessimistic sad attitude. I’m trying to get joy out of buying a vacuum give me a break guy. Go back to comment turning.
I just sold a company for $1.9 billion with Citadel. I'll buy your vacuum for you
I’ve missed GSElevator
Tbh if possible probably wrap up Christmas gifts for the family. Like a prebuilt order for my little cousin, etc.
cordovan boots
Stylish quilted jacket
Black leather Chelsea boots
Black jeans / light wash jeans
Nice cologne
I already have a killer keyboard and mouse, oversized mouse pad (that both mouse and keyboard sit on) and 2 monitors courtesy of work. Will say that maxing out your WFH setup makes a big difference.
What’s your killer keyboard if I may ask?
Bump. Need keyboard recs
Finally somewhere I can add value.
Logtech MX (MX denotes mechanical, as opposed to membrane) is probably your best bet for mainstream mechanical keyboard, though I think they only offer low-profile keycaps now, as opposed to a taller, graduated, cherry profile.
There are 3 main categories of MX switches: linear, tactile, and clicky. There are also "silent" variants that have gaskets to mute the sound of keystrokes, but this dilutes the feedback from the keys.
DO NOT get clicky switches (often "blue") unless you live alone, or you hate everyone around you and want to motivate them to murder you.
Linear switches actuate without a tactile response, while tactile and clicky switches provide tactile feedback upon actuation.
In general, most people prefer tactile switches for typing activities and linear switches for gaming, but this is personal preference.
Mainstream alternatives to Logitech from more gaming-orientated companies include SteelSeries, Corsair, and Razer, HyperX, etc.
I am a fan of Ducky keyboards, they make a variety of layouts and have some funky designs if you're into that.
If you need to save desk space, you could opt for a 65%, 75%, or TKL layout and then add a macro/num pad separately.
And if you want to light money and time on fire, you can build your own custom mechanical keyboard after waiting two years for your $1,000 of materials to arrive so you can spend an entire weekend assembling it. In case it wasn't clear, do not do this.
I use a Steelseries full size but other post below has lots of good Recs (including Steelseries).
Keychrons are the best imo (everyone in my office uses them). You can also just get a $30 Amazon no name brand mechanical keyboard for a pretty good one as well.
Bump
Anybody know if off the rack suits (that aren't in an abhorrent colour) normally go on sale on BF?
Stuff like suitsupply
Suitsupply for sure doesn't, they used to run outlet sales a couple times a year but stopped. You might have luck at some of the bigger brands like Brooks Brothers or at the major retailers like Nordstrom. Spier & Mackay is usually already priced better than most OTR suits (and better quality IMO) and might have a sale going on.
Lanieri
Thanks
If you are based in Europe, you might try a website called Otrium, a c.2,000 Suitsupply items outlet popped last month
Never heard of this but looks good. How often do they restock if you know?
And how did you find out they added new stock? Was it via an email subscription? Thanks
J Crew look for their Ludlow series.
Do you need it in short order and that's why you want OTR? Otherwise if you're looking for decent tailored at a cheap price, I'm sure Indochino will have a sale BOGO.
Any keyboard and mouse recommendations please? A1 with no knowledge of world of mechanical keyboards
Logitech mx mechanical keyboard (tactile) + Logitech mx master 3s. Expensive but will be a game changer and looks minimalist sleek and is on the quieter side (I use it at the office and my colleagues haven’t complained yet - in fact they want to buy one for themselves too). There may be a bundle sale for Black Friday
Do you think the logitech keyboard is a big value add vs. laptop built in keyboard (lenovo thinkpad)? On the fence of buying it but it looks quiet similar (yeah don't judge looks I know) than the standard plain vanilla keyboards my firm hands out.
The other mechanical keyboards on the market (e.g. daskeyboard) seem to be much more special but I am not sure if they are a big value add for professional services work.
Razer Mamba mouse + Logitech G915 keyboard. Can't go back to anything else
Totally. Logitech G-915 while expensive is the best keyboard I’ve ever used. Tough going back to the office without my G-Keys
Don’t listen to anyone saying to get a Logitech. Get a Keychron Q6 with brown switches – fully customizable / hot swappable and feels great to type on. There’s people that have made this into a full hobby and would generally agree that Keychron is a great entry level typist keyboard. If you really want to spoil yourself, go on kbdfans and see what exists (yes, keyboards can be $600).
I got myself a Keychron K3. Feels really good!
Do you think the Q6 is too bulky/heavy to be taking back and forth from the office to a WFH setup? Any experience with the K series?
Bought myself a small digital watch for my bathroom shelf. Small gadget but quiet a game changer in the morning. Noticed I am less hasty and on top of that waste less time running around the house looking for my phone to check time.
I'd also look for noise cancelling headphones. I have got myself the Sony WH-1000XM4 and they are amazing for focus work. Also amazing for home to block out traffic noise or neighbors.
Roommate and I are getting a peloton
Have you bought it yet?/ could I convince you that a wahoo kicker is better
Exhaust headers for my GT3
Correct answer
What year gt3? Did you get it as a 1st year associate or is your title outdated?
It’s a 2015. Just got Dundon headers to go with the full Crack Pipe. I’m As2 now but I got the car when I was An3.
Was hoping to get a 3RS this year, but I got mine when interest rates were dirt cheap and it doesn’t make sense to give up 2% for 7% unless car prices decline significantly.
I’m gonna upgrade a couple things I use daily. A better trash can and a coat rack most likely.
Edit: I’m still looking for a coat rack. May order an open wardrobe from Ikea. I ended up ordering leather Chelsea boots and a three-pack of fragrances from Alt. Both over 50% off and I had been considering buying them since the summer. I’m overall just curious if the Alt fragrances smell good at all. They were $33 per scent which felt reasonable enough to try.
New woods, irons, wedges, and putter.
Most importantly, new coach and new swings.
Two types of people in finance, loud race cars or optimized trash cans
I'm going to build an AI model called "DCFGPT" that runs sensitivity analysis etc, analyzes templates and make it public for free for all bankers to use and save time.
(not kidding btw)
chief chuckler goated
What a hero!
I always make sure to include a Black Friday discount into my valuation models. Steep discounts on high capex companies this year.
I just buy stuff when I need it. Like everything on your list, I'd buy it as soon as I need it without waiting for black Friday. I think we all can afford to buy a vacuum without discount.
While I agree with this to an extent, if it’s some sort of upgrade or I have a big purchase I want to make from august to September, it’s really not that hard to wait. Also, things like Christmas gifts it’s really easy to load up.
Thoughts on best lab-tops?
Dell XPS 15
Bought a quality italian perfume and a quality leather wallet since Ive been using card holders for the last few years
These very rarely have Black Friday deals but this time of year I look to Gaziano and Girling shoes, Huntsman or Divij Bespoke MTM clothing, and Norton & Sons MTM shirts. But in case you can’t tell I like clothes and a certain kind of aesthetic
Webcam, laptop stand and maybe a new wfh keyboard
financial edge x wall street oasis training course
I really need a new tv and sound bar. Looking at the higher end of the Sony line. Hope there will be some deals
Get a sonos it’s worth it and will last longer.
A80l or A95L?
Was thinking the A80L. Looks like enough without spending too much.
My parents are dead and I'm a bitter and hateful man so I normally just steal all other people's packages from the package room that accumulate during the week of Christmas, while their rightful owners are out of town with their families. I go for all different shapes & sizes of packages and even wrap each of them in different wrapping paper, colorful bows, everything. Then on Christmas day I get wicked drunk on expensive whiskey and do my own secret santa for myself with the shit I stole from my neighbors.
I'm quite the minimalist and throw it away most times, however what really brings me joy is when I open a package and find something extremely expensive and useful. Not because I want it but because I know that now someone else can't have it.
Tell us which building and city you live in so we can all avoid it. Also, might as well tell us which firm while you’re at it. Sorry about your parents.
I live in the American Gardens building on West 81st street.
A personality
I bought a standalone numpad for ~10 bucks as my thinkpad does not come with one include.
It is quiet handy for QAT shortcuts that start beyond the first five numbers, i.e. 08.
For those who like to burn cash on monitors, Samsung 49" Odyssey G9 DQHD 240Hz is an excellent monitor. You can wait and get the 57" too if you want. The curvature makes you strain your eyes and neck less, the screen quality is just beautiful.
The best part? You don't need a second monitor! The display can integrate a second desktop seamlessly so you get the feel of working with two desktops. What is even better is that on one side of the screen you can have excel open and on the other side, you can connect your console and play a game.
Used it and cannot go back to flat screens anymore.
Genuinely believe the only reason I got top bucket was because of this screen. Multi-tasking made easy.
I'd recommend the Mini LED panel though, not a fan of VGA on curved screens.
1st gen 57' (just released) is a quality control disaster at the moment; going to wait for the 2nd gen. Can't justify the risk + 8 more inches for an extra $2k
Recently moved into a 2 bed so I had an office. Second bedroom is big enough to serve as an office/media room and I was able to use my old sectional to fill that out. I've already bought a new couch for my living space but plan to make a few other large furniture purchases (e.g., dining table and chairs, rugs, tv stand) to round out the new space.
Black Fridays is good for:
Clothing.
I'm a big fan of the LuluLemon ABS trousers (used to be called commissioner pants or something) - both for work (when not wearing a suit and in meetings) and the lighter ones for casual wear.
Can also pickupo decent suit deals if you are looking to shop around
New pair of shoes or in particular a new pair of trainers if you're the active type
Cosmetics
Restock your cologne/perfume
Electronics
Defo would recommend getting yourself a smaller 7/8 inch tablet for the commute - great for making it less mundane
Updating your desktop PC/ Personal Laptop
Anyone bought a whoop or an oura ring? Trying to improve what little sleep I get, curious to see if others found either of them useful
From what ive heard of sleep rings, id advise against it. Folks have told me they’ve become more neurotic about their sleep after getting one of those, not in the good way. They’ll lament more on the missed metrics than relish on the analysis, human psyche I guess. Some of them started to notice they were “feeling” what their metrics were saying instead of actually how they felt.
I have a whoop - got it ~2 weeks ago. I like it quite a bit. It helps with sleep tracking and understanding recovery from physical exertion.
I’ve had a whoop for about six months and I’ve enjoyed it. You can nerd out as much as you want or don’t want about all the metrics.
Haven’t become neurotic about my sleep.
i hated the subscription models of those two. Ended up going with a simple FitBit inspire 3. Cheap, tracks heart rate and sleep decently. No subscription needed and the company will be around for a while. I wear it on my dominate wrist and my watch on the other hand. idc about if it looks silly
New pillows, pillow cases, and dress shoes
New gym clothes, some books, and maybe a pair of headphones to gift to my sister.
What’s her @? Smithers needs a date to this year’s company Christmas party
@al.weeezy
Commodi incidunt omnis quas laudantium. Temporibus mollitia saepe sint hic deserunt cupiditate earum.
Aut delectus dolorem ut laborum. Animi et ab ut nulla exercitationem dolor consectetur totam. Et sapiente impedit aut ut consequuntur cupiditate necessitatibus. Sint qui alias labore aut voluptas optio esse.
Minus laboriosam iure quis porro tenetur impedit. Assumenda libero consequuntur laborum eveniet suscipit aut minus. Eius velit laboriosam nihil officiis neque corrupti quis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Rem perferendis qui nostrum fugit. Rerum rerum dolor non quod. Officiis esse enim ipsam ipsa facilis. Unde quidem non qui magnam.
Est quia expedita perspiciatis odio incidunt. Et consequatur maiores voluptates aperiam. Nihil odit voluptatem ipsa reprehenderit ullam porro. Adipisci aut eligendi eos eos exercitationem est.
Ut neque ab delectus sit laudantium. Ut nihil sit nesciunt ut reprehenderit laboriosam commodi.
Sed explicabo quisquam et. Error provident fuga quo deleniti. At voluptas ipsa nulla et ipsum.
Ratione et aliquam quia voluptatem ad exercitationem sit. Molestias et ducimus optio voluptas facilis. Et repudiandae eos repudiandae veniam quaerat ipsum et rerum. Nemo qui est accusamus iusto. Nesciunt sed ipsum fugit ad nemo quis. Qui ea quibusdam iure modi.
Laudantium assumenda quod aut eos id. Explicabo corporis quo aut quo voluptas. Tenetur vitae autem explicabo non deleniti. Ut ipsam perspiciatis aut autem. Cupiditate magni velit aut nihil in dicta.
Consequatur qui ipsam eum dolor est odio quam. Cum a aut aliquam beatae nesciunt. Alias ab corrupti eius laudantium minus. Consequatur ad totam sint et reiciendis. Molestias quibusdam natus est incidunt aliquid deserunt. Minima sint numquam dolor aut animi dolorem amet repellat.
Accusamus ratione ratione earum ratione omnis. Et officia repudiandae cum est odio. Officiis aspernatur quam id cum dolore.