Shoe in.

The $99 Generate shoe rack isn't exactly new, but I still can't get over how cool it is. If I didn't think this would act like like a serving tray of tasty hore'dourves for a certain little house pug, this would be mine.

[from: greedygirl | get it: gnr8]

USB+SATA=NES?

This might be the coolest way to use a SATA hard drive (the regular kind... in your computer) as an external USB drive. Sure, there are lots of kits out there that can do this—but the SATA HDD STAGE RACK lets you just jam either a 2.5'' or 3.5'' hard drive in the docking station like an old-school Nintendo cartridge.

The <$45 rack is also a USB hub.

[from: slipperybrick | get it: geekstuff4u]

Robots are the tops

In the future, when the machines rise up and the mech-war begins, this shirt, made by Christina and Ronnie, will grant you protected passage to the safe zone.

Breakout... the pillow

Handmade by Christine Domanic in Brooklyn, NY, this is the only crochet item I would ever consider permitting in my home. Fun, crafty and clever!

[from: minor details]

8 bit fit!

This isn't new, but it's way cool. If you know anything about midi and want to access the bleep blops hidden inside your Nintendo NES, check out the Midines.

[from: wayfar]

Diffusive!

Would it be weird or tacky if I wanted a whole wall covered in acoustic diffusors?

Sure, they are for recording studios - but they look like swanky modern art and would probably help dampen the ax blows and screams from my living room.

This bud's for you

Fun! And maybe I wouldn't lose these.

[from: perezfox]

Library of Congress on Flickr

OK, not really consumption-based, but want hours of free entertainment? Check out the Library of Congress on Flickr. Take THAT digital photography.

DIY digitial newsstand

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen, and has inspired me to ask about all the rusting newsstands we have here that are probably serving as ashtrays for the smoker squad outside.

An old new stand, LCD screen, Mac Mini, a little scripting and a ton of imagination from Scott Walker, a managing editor at the Birmingham News.

Instructions here.

Welcome: How I spend.

Welcome to consumersaur. Hopefully this place will allow me to share interesting links, commentary and insight to the wonderful world of consumerism. As you can see by my mint analysis above, I like to spend. This isn't a good thing, and this site is part of my 2008 resolution to spend better and smarter. Less can be more.

By spending less on the least important things - I hope to save more for the most. If you see something great, something that you can make or modify instead of buy - let me know.

Have fun.

C. Saur.