This past week i noticed two cases of investment that have more than paid off for me.

One, simply, was floor mats. The very first thing i bought for my car over five years ago was a good set of thick rubber floor mats. These so-called Monster Mats have never worn out and catch everything i’ve managed to throw at them in five years of winter blizzards, sandy beaches, and everything in between. Saturday i vacuumed up all the winter and spring accumulation, and the carpet underneath still looked pretty new. Not a simple feat for a 10-year-old car with a light tan interior. The mats were a one-time cost of $90, and i’ve never had to worry about scrubbing or shampooing. They also clip into place so they don’t slide up under the pedals (ahem, Toyota), and they also look pretty cool. Should i ever sell this car, i think they’ve more than paid themselves off.

The other case is not always a clear decision, but in my case it’s more than paid off. Insurance. Specifically, an AppleCare extended warranty for my MacBook Pro. I’ve had a battery and the entire upper display lid replaced, and last week it was back at the Apple Store for a new logic board after the video card fried as well as a second battery. They let me know it would have cost me $1,375 if not under warranty. All together i’ve had about $2,450 in parts and labor covered. That’s almost $700 more than i first paid for it in December 2007. And i managed to get that AppleCare 2-year warranty extension for only $115. Extended warranties are a bit of a gamble, but in this case, it’s a true warranty extension direct from the original manufacturer, and you don’t have to jump through hoops when something happens — just drop it off at the closest Apple Store or authorized repair center. And that peace of mind has been well worth the price.