Yesterday, I bought a $300 beach umbrella.  If that sounds ridiculous to you, let me explain: it was on sale! I first saw this umbrella in the Frontgate catalog last summer for $499! I spend the summers on Fire Island, and usually manage to ruin at least one $30 umbrella a summer, through general wear and tear, or when a big gust comes and sends it flying down the beach.  So I was intrigued by Frontgate’s description of an umbrella made by an "Italian manufacturer who has been producing Europe’s finest since 1890" that stays put in a 30 mph wind.  I’ll report on it later, by which time it will probably be sold-out.  But if you feel like checking it out yourself, Frontgate offers a 90-day no-questions-asked return/1 year warranty policy.