The Most Regrettable Purchases
There are so many things that seemed necessary at the time we bought them—and it's only later that we realize we probably didn't need those products at all. Here are the purchases that guarantee that sinking feeling of buyer's remorse.
DVDs And Blu-Ray Discs
Growing up, my mother was addicted to purchasing DVDs and Blu-Ray discs. In fact, she had a special room where she housed her entire collection. But these days, she rarely watches any of them.
Instead, like most people, she consumes television and media through several streaming services. In retrospect, she could have saved herself a pretty penny.
Lottery Tickets
We all know those people who buy their lottery tickets like clockwork—some of them even have their “lucky” numbers and purchase them at the same time every week. However, the odds of these people ever winning are mind-blowingly small.
All of that money would probably do a lot more for them in an investment or savings account.
Lieutenant Ramathorn, Wikimedia Commons
Extended Warranties
There’s something so comforting about having an extended warranty on appliances or electronics—especially for anxious folks, such as myself. It feels like a security blanket… but is it really necessary? Most likely not.
Based on Consumer Reports, the likelihood of these products requiring a repair is very low. What’s more? In the off-chance a repair is required, the cost would probably be similar to the price of an extended warranty anyway.
Expensive Engagement Rings
Everyone has different standards for how much money should be spent on an engagement ring. On average, most people believe that at least three months of one’s salary should go toward that tiny diamond.
However, investing a massive amount of money into a piece of jewelry might just derail some of your other goals. That money could be spent on traveling or even saving for your future home. It all depends on your budget and where your true values lay.
TranStudios Photography & Video, Pexels
Boats
Purchasing a boat is not something to be taken lightly. Some people don’t realize all of the work that comes with owning one. Not only are they expensive, but there are also many other additional costs. Think: insurance, taxes, maintenance, transportation—the works.
If you’re thinking about buying a boat, make sure your budget is in working order first.
Extravagant Weddings
Believe it or not, many people deeply regret their wedding—or perhaps just the scale of their wedding. Things can get dicey when you jump into wedding planning with grandiose expectations. The price points can quickly put couples into major debt, which is a very stressful way to kick off a marriage.
A wedding is supposed to be memorable, but dumping so much money into a single night might be one of the greatest recipes for regret.
motioncoloursphotography, Pexels
Desktop Computers
For some people’s jobs, a desktop computer is necessary—but for the average person, a laptop will be more than sufficient for their needs and cheaper in the long run.
Camping Gear You’ll Only Use Once
If you’re not an avid camper, prepping for your first camping trip won’t be cheap. Instead of splurging on all the necessary equipment, consider renting the gear instead. If you end up truly enjoying the experience and think you’ll be planning excursions year after year, you can feel confident when purchasing equipment of your own.
Unfortunately, many people don’t do this and their unused camping goods end up stuffed in the corner of their basement… forever.
Video Cameras
The average person doesn’t need to purchase a video camera anymore. After all, the quality of smartphone videos has reached new heights. This way, you don’t have to carry two devices everywhere you go.
Pedometers
Advances in technology have made it easier to keep everything in one place. Smartphones can easily track your steps now, making that pedometer you bought five years ago a redundant and unnecessary purchase.
Printers
These days, most people store their files digitally, meaning they probably don’t need that behemoth of a printer in their home office. If you only print something once in a blue moon, there are many printing services to turn to.
A quick trip to places like Office Depot or Staples a few times a year might outweigh the convenience of owning a printer.
Exercise Machines
If a gym membership isn’t in the cards for you, it probably isn’t worth it to buy a very large—and pricey—exercise machine. Unless you have the space and the time, there is a high probability that that treadmill will start collecting dust in your living room.
Instead, there are many free online resources for at-home workouts. Using your body weight, resistance bands, or small weights are great options for beginners.
Juicers
Admittedly, I have fallen prey to the juicer craze. After all, it’s very easy to rationalize an investment in one’s health. However, I quickly realized that purchasing a ton of fresh produce for a small amount of juice just wasn’t worth it—not to mention the annoying amount of time spent cleaning all the pulp out of the machine’s nooks and crannies.
Safe to say, I haven’t touched my juicer in years.
Breville, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Niche Kitchen Appliances
When it comes to kitchen appliances, it’s not just the juicer you’re likely to regret buying. There are a ton of other “helpful” appliances like pasta makers, dehydrators, and egg cookers that you’ll rarely use in your daily life.
You simply don’t want to pack your storage with gadgets only designed to accomplish a niche function.
Szymon Żywicki, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pools
Once you buy a pool for your property, you’re agreeing to cough up money for as long as you keep it running. Sources say that the annual cost of upkeep begins at $1,200—and that’s the lowest estimate.
If you live in a location where you only get to use your pool a few months out of the year, then it won’t be long before you start feeling that tell-tale tingle of regret.
Hot Tubs
Similar to pools, hot tubs can wrack up some hefty maintenance fees. However, it’s that pesky water bill that might have you rethinking all of your life choices.
Luxury Cars
Some people can absolutely afford a luxury car, but for others, it might be an unnecessary strain on their budget. Sure, they might be constructed with quality materials and function as a fancy status symbol, but the expenses don’t stop coming once you’ve driven the vehicle off the lot.
Luxury cars are known to spark higher insurance rates and maintenance costs, and sometimes, your only option is premium gas.
Unnecessary Baby Products
As a new parent, it’s easy to get swept up in the world of baby products. The marketing will easily slide under your skin, but this multi-billion-dollar industry is eager to drain your wallet. More than likely, you won’t need to purchase products like wipe warmers, baby food processors, diaper disposal systems—the list goes on.
Fine China
Many couples end up getting a set of fine China as a wedding present, but how many of them actually use it? Not only will you almost never reach for these expensive dishes, but they’re likely to be stored away where you forget about them entirely.
Collectibles
Hunting down certain collectibles can definitely bring people joy—and that’s exactly why people should become collectors. However, if you’re buying collectibles in the hope that they’ll appreciate in value over time, there’s a good chance you’re in for a world of disappointment.
Not only will you spend more money than you’ll likely make in the long run, but you’re also wasting a ton of precious space in your home.
Ross Dunn Thanks -10million views!, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
One-Wear Garments
Have you ever splurged on a fancy dress or tuxedo for a special occasion, only to never wear it again? In retrospect, the bargain outfit might have done just fine.
Infomercial Products
Whether you’re watching a commercial on YouTube or still watching infomercials on television, capitalism is working overtime to trick you into buying something you probably don’t need. Mitts that peel potatoes? The Magic Bullet?
Many people get hit with a major dose of buyer’s remorse once the product arrives on their doorstep.
Mack Male, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
What You Bought From The Door-To-Door Salesman
If there are still door-to-door salesmen in your neighborhood, never feel bad about turning them away. They can be very persuasive, but their products rarely live up to the hype. Are people still buying magazine subscriptions?
Replacement Parts
Sometimes, purchasing a replacement part makes perfect sense, but depending on the situation, it might be best to cut your losses and buy a brand-new product instead.
For instance, spending $200 to replace the screen on a seven-year-old computer is just not worth it in the long run.
Over-Priced Gym Memberships
On average, a monthly gym membership might run you $30 to $50. However, there are luxury gyms with better amenities that can cost up to $200 a month. If you’re just a simple person wanting to hop on the treadmill a couple of times a week, paying an extra $150 for a better ambiance might be a cause for major regret.
Trendy Toys
The hottest toy on the market might be the thing your kid is begging you to buy them. However, it’s important to keep in mind that kids are fickle when it comes to their toys. Spending hundreds on something they might not even reach for in a couple weeks is going to make you glare at that toy with bitter, bitter resentment.
Premium Rental Cars
If it’s just you, or even two of you, there’s no reason why the average person needs to be renting a premium car. If money is not a concern for you, sure, renting a premium car is no big deal. However, if you’re on a budget, those rental costs wrack up quickly, especially if you’re renting a car for several days.
An economy car is more than sufficient for all of your needs.
Purchasing Take-Out Every Day
There’s nothing wrong with eating out once in a while, but if you get in the habit of purchasing multiple coffees and pastries every day, you could be spending thousands of dollars per year. If you track how much you spend at restaurants, you might just wish you’d made your morning coffees at home.
Car Upgrades
Ironically, not all car upgrades will increase the value of your car. In fact, some upgrades might actually make it harder to sell down the road. That coffee-can muffler might seem “cool” in the moment, but just you wait—there’s a good chance you’ll regret that so-called “upgrade”.
Season Tickets
As exciting as buying season tickets might sound, most people forget that going to see a game requires a lot of extra expenses. Parking in the city is astronomical these days, not to mention the rate of a stadium hot dog.
Designer Clothes
Is spending hundreds of dollars on a designer t-shirt worth it? If you believe in the power of brands, then maybe. Spending a lot of money on a designer item can also be a double-edged sword. After all, it’s usually the most expensive garments that are rarely worn.
Buying Products From Obscure Websites
Your algorithm can be your worst enemy, especially when it comes to force-feeding you targeted ads. It can be so easy to click your way through to a purchase from a website you’ve never heard of before. Think twice before you spontaneously hit that “purchase now” button, because you’ll more than likely wish you hadn’t.
Buying Clothes That Aren’t The Right Size
We’ve all been there. There’s a Black Friday sale going on and the dress you’ve been eying for ages is available… but tragically, it’s not in your size. But that doesn’t matter—you buy it anyway! However, the second it arrives and you try it on, the regret begins to sink in. And even worse? It’s final sale.
Cheap Paper Towels
Paper towels might seem like a low-stakes item to regret, but those cheap brands can cause some serious frustration. You’ll end up using a pile of paper towels to clean up a mess that only one high-quality paper towel could conquer in a second.
Cheap Furniture
If you invest in cheap furniture, then you better know that it’s not going to last forever. If you can afford a high-quality piece of furniture, it’s better to go that route. A solid wood table will last you a lifetime while opting for anything made with particle board is just a disappointment waiting to happen.
Low-Quality Kitchen Knives
If you love cooking, then kitchen knives are not something to cheap out on. Low-quality sets will get dull very quickly, while a decent set will last you forever if you take good care of them.
Low-Quality Appliances
Similar to knives, you likely don’t want to spend $20 on a toaster or coffee maker. These products are not made to stand the test of time and will likely die on you in less than a year. When it comes to kitchen appliances, you definitely get what you pay for.
An Unaffordable House
Being “house-poor” is no fun. Many people fall into the trap of purchasing a home that’s more than what they can afford. It may have seemed like the home of their dreams, but once they factor in all of the expenses, it might just become their worst nightmare.
Purebred Dogs
Adopt don’t shop! Buying your pet from a breeder can cost thousands while adopting from your local shelter will likely cost up to $500 at most. What’s more? Purebred animals are known to have more health issues (breathing problems, hip dysplasia, etc), which means they will likely require more vet visits.
The financial drain of a purebred animal might make you realize that adopting a mutt is the right way to go.
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