11 Types of Regret Purchases & How to Break the Cycle
Always worried that you have to buy it now or regret it later? It’s time to stop focusing so much on so-called good deals for items that you really don’t need in the first place.
Kallie Branciforte says that there are 11 regret purchases that all of us make from time to time and learning what they are can help us break the awful purchase regret cycle we keep finding ourselves in.
Besides spending our hard-earned money on things we don’t absolutely love, these items typically sit around, collecting dust in our homes, and rarely get used like we once intended them to.
That’s why, when you splurge and make impulse buys, you will regret that purchase sooner rather than later and end up asking yourself why you keep doing this over and over again.
First up is paper planners. Kallie insists that while some people religiously use their paper planners throughout the year, the majority of people buy them and rarely use them for more than a few weeks.
Next, Kallie says to avoid any specially-formulated shampoos or skincare products. A better alternative is to ask a professional in real life.
After that, set down anything in the clearance section that doesn’t really wow you. Many of these impulse buys don’t match your decor or stay on trend for long. Once in a while, you may find things you won't regret buying in the clearance section, but not often.
In a similar vein, stop buying cheap sheets—because they wear out too soon—overhyped foods or drinks that cost a small fortune, and trendy fashion that doesn’t look good on you.
To finish up the regret purchases you should avoid, Kallie adds online courses that overpromise and underdeliver, single-use kitchen appliances, any products you see on TV, and brand new cars to the list.
Regret purchases
For more frugal shopping tips, discover the best things to buy at Aldi this month or these Dollar Tree cleaning hacks.
To see more videos, check out the But First, Coffee YouTube channel.
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Decluttering is something new to me. I do have a much hated mess and I’m recovering from surgery AND injuries atm so it’s been difficult to complete.
I think I went on a roll with up cycling, accumulating SO much “stuff”. Why, oh, why?
I am still recovering from almost two years of hospitals, rehabs, 3 major surgeries, a fractured femur and back and a massive infection. I almost died. It changed me! I am trying to declutter at least one area a day. May only be a drawer but really letting go of stuff. I don’t want to leave the mess for my kids plus I have 16 grandkids and 8 great grandkids so plenty of people to give stuff to!! Can’t take it with me and I am 79. I’ve enjoyed the stuff long enough. Good article.
to prevent impulse buys I go online and I’ll put things in the cart and return to it in a couple of days and then decide on wants and needs.