Today’s guest post from Kevin Lemere of Ground Up Life is part of Simple Black Coffee’s Favorite Things series. Submit your story to share.

I have found that I am more simple now than at the beginning of my journey into minimalism. But one thing still remains on the top of my must have list. It’s not an iPhone (I use a DroidX and no that’s not it either). When thinking about my day and the things I can do without I have to say that I’d be willing to live without a smartphone. Heck, I’d even live without a phone period. Yet, there’s no way I’d live without this one thing. It’s my pen. But this is not just any pen.

Here’s the story about my favorite throw away pen. I’ve been using pens at work for over a decade. Primarily in the last 7 years to write notes about orders to fulfill and things to do. A pen has become a regular part of my life. I’ve tried to transfer everything to the computer and have significantly reduced the amount of waste I produce but I’m still unable to let go of the pen. About a year ago I stumbled on the TUL retractable gel pen in a Harvey’s Supermarket while grocery shopping. I needed a new pen and these were presented better than the rest in their packaging. I’ve always believed in getting what I pay for and their price was more than the others on a per pen basis so I bought them. At well over a dollar per pen I knew they would be good pens. If not I’d return them as an unsatisfied customer. So not only did I have a reason to buy them (I needed a pen) but I also had a justification in a return policy, per se. After I got to work the next day and wrote with the first one I was amazed at the quality of the pen and at the style and handling as well.

Now, after all these months and lost pens I still have a couple from the first pack. I tell customers they can take one of the Bics but they’d better leave that one alone or I’ll add it to their bill. Everyone knows I’m joking… but am I really? (just kidding)

Anyway, that’s my story about what I refuse to get rid of. I’ve got about 4 of them right now (they’re sold in a 4 pack) and if I get down to my last one I’ll certainly buy more.

Today’s guest post was written by Kevin Lemere of Ground Up Life. Follow him on twitter @kllemere.

The next Favorite Things post will be from David Damron of Life Excursion.

Previous posts in the Favorite Things series:

• Sharpie Pen by Craig Keirstead of Simple Black Coffee
• Clothing by Joshua Milburn of The Minimalists