Buyer’s regret is a real phenomenon everyone experiences at some point. Sometimes you regret a large purchase, like an expensive car that underperforms, a jacket you never wear, or a dessert that didn’t taste as good as it looked. Buyer’s regret is usually accompanied with guilt and anxiety, but it can also come with a resolve to do better. Fortunately, you can prevent remorse by making more mindful purchases, and utilizing budgets and shopping lists. However, there are some “do-not-buy” products that many people regret getting them. Everyone has different needs and lifestyles, so this list isn’t universal, but it can be a good guiding point for people trying to rein in their spending.
Expensive weddings
Many people envision a fairy-tale, money-is-no-object wedding. After all, it’s one of the most important days of their lives. It’s a celebration of a new future, it’s a way to get loved ones together, and it’s a party you hope to remember for the rest of your life. But when the champagne fizzles out and the flowers wilt, you are left with a long list of bills that could have gone toward setting up that new future. In fact, a survey from U.S. News found that many couples planning weddings today are anticipating future buyer’s regret for their spending. So plan a beautiful wedding that speaks to your love story and creates lifelong memories, but rethink the fancy trimmings that most people won’t recall anyway.
Fast fashion trends
Fashion trends seem to come and go alarmingly fast. Keeping up with them can be exhausting and very expensive. The truth is, many fast fashion items are cheaply made and won’t last. Plus, the fits might be cute on models and influencers, but they won’t flatter everyone. So instead of chasing trends, find good-quality clothes that suit you and stick with them. Don’t feel ashamed for wearing last season’s trends; soon the “newest and hottest” outfits will be replaced by newer and hotter clothes, and those ones might match your personal style way more.
Single-purpose kitchen appliances
Kitchen space is prime real estate, and only some gadgets truly return on their investment. Coffee machines, kettles, toasters, and microwaves are typically used so often, you would never regret buying them. Then there are the single-purpose items that tend to collect dust between uses. Think juicers, waffle irons, popcorn makers, banana slicers, bagel guillotines, electric egg cookers, panini makers, bread makers, air fryers, and so on. Now, everyone is different so there is no definitive list of “can’t live without” items and “will never use” items. But generally, single-purpose kitchen gadgets are more likely to be left unused compared to multi-purpose versions. So if you’re tempted by a new gadget, consider how much use you can actually get out of it.
Online courses
It seems like every influencer or self-professed guru is selling a course these days. They are marketed as if they are going to solve life’s problems by sharing the secrets to weight loss, wealth, good health, mental well-being, romantic relationships, and much more. However, it’s extremely unlikely these courses deliver on these massive promises. Always check credentials before taking someone’s advice online, especially if they are trying to sell you something, says CNET. Courses are not very hard to make, especially quick cash-grab ones, and it’s very unlikely these unqualified and unverified individuals are selling information that can’t be found for free elsewhere.
Tech items and gadgets
Some pieces of technology have become a mainstay in people’s lives, such as phones, computers, and earbuds. Other tech items are not as necessary, and people regret buying them. These purchases are often expensive, over-hyped, and more of a status symbol than a practical tool. Once the novelty wears off, the usefulness does too. Expensive gadgets tend to lose value quickly because there are constantly new models being released, explains Digital Adoption. Do your research before buying and ensure the gadget can benefit you long-term.
Gag gifts
Gag gifts are funny while they are being presented, but then they almost immediately become useless. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because their entire function is to make people laugh. But if you are already fighting against clutter in your home, gag gifts are likely to add to it. What are you supposed to do with a screaming goat figurine, “tiny hands,” a yodeling pickle, fake bugs, or snake-in-a-can after the novelty wears off? Some gag gifts can be hilarious and practical, like unique mugs, blankets, pillows, socks, desk lights, and kitchen knickknacks. So you don’t have to spoil the fun; just plan it beforehand.
Entertainment or streaming subscriptions
Social media excels at creating FOMO (fear of missing out), particularly when it comes to movies and TV shows, but entertainment or streaming subscriptions are becoming increasingly expensive. So examine your want-to-watch list before signing up. Depending on your tastes, some platforms will offer more value to you than others. Many people regret buying subscriptions to multiple services when they realize they don’t use them often or if their favorite films and TV shows are taken off.
Items on sale
It’s a small victory when a product you’ve been eyeing goes on sale. Sometimes these things are necessities, like groceries, you would’ve bought either way. Or they are wish list items that suddenly fit in your budget. In either case, enjoy the discount. But don’t let a sale trick you with the “buy now and save money” mentality, warns Forbes. The best way to save money is not to spend it. So don’t let a flashy bargain convince you to purchase things you barely like and will barely use.
Read More: If You’re Buying These 9 Items at Costco, You Should Get Them Elsewhere
