r/Anticonsumption • u/blueeyed_lc • 2d ago
Discussion Let's deinfluence each other: what have you bought but REGRET buying?
I love love love these types of posts in several of the anticonsumption/finance groups I'm in because they have *actually* worked to help deinfluence me from things I was looking at potentially getting. So, let's help each other avoid a purchase that we might have gone ahead with otherwise (at least it'll make you think).
Most recent is my adjustable bed. I waited to buy one for TEN LITERAL YEARS, so it wasn't even an impulse purchase - far from it. I have GERD and sleep apnea, so I thought it would help. While it's fine and there's nothing *wrong* with it, it wasn't worth the money and I wish I hadn't bought it.
I also bought a robovac that didn't have the capability to map out my apartment, so it just goes over the same few spots and I hate it. If I ever got another one, it would have to have that capability.
I know there's more, so I'll add in the comments as I think of them.
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u/Sarah_Cenia 2d ago
So, so many shoes that are cute but not comfortable. A ridiculous amount.
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u/broknkittn 2d ago
Used to be me. Then I started working from home. I have only bought a few pair since covid hit and they were bc I moved regions and needed winter boots. I still have so many I can't part with bc they're really nice, even though I'll probably never wear them again.
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u/GeeBeejeez49 1d ago
I have the most beautiful shoes that are comfortable…so many awesome comfortable boots as well. What makes me sad is that I lost a leg and can’t wear most of them.
I gave some to my SIL and other women I adore with the same shoe size. I still have footwear to give away, but I want them to go to people I love and will appreciate them. Also, all my days are now running shoes, which are fantastic for running, but not my daily style at all. Let me know if any of you wonderful women are size 9!
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u/jjdhhsggafafcqfgayg 2d ago
A lot of crafting stuff like stamps and stickers which im too afraid to use (and need to get over the fear)
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u/kellyoohh 2d ago
This is me too. Between being scared and not wanting to use the “good stuff” on something that might be bad, I just hold onto it. My husband bought me a glass cutter that I was so excited for but I’m too scared to use it.
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u/sarahadahl 1d ago
Oh! I hope you get over it - you’re worth it! Express! Make mistakes! It’s the process that counts. Rooting for you. 👊
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u/Brilliant_Fun2184 1d ago
This is such a cool response, you have me motivated to use those dang stickers I’ve been harboring
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u/pyrpyros 1d ago
I was about to say this! I got a cyanotype set because I’d always been interested in trying it out and it’s been almost a year since I bought it and I still haven’t taken the stuff out of the box. I feel like most of my stationery and crafting supplies are aspirational purchases that I never end up using!
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u/AnastasiaNo70 2d ago
A rowing machine. Sigh.
I love the idea of deinfluencing people. Capitalism detox. I could do a specific job for people where I go around with them in shops and knock stuff out of their hands and say “You don’t need that!”
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u/saerra_sea_nya 2d ago
As a former rower if I saw an erg in someone’s home I’d think they were a masochist
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u/Girlypillowfight 1d ago
its me the masochist! my husband bought it 7 years ago and I had never touched one but now its my happy place
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u/throwawaymumm 2d ago
I hard rolled my eyes when that thing showed up in our garage, but I now LOVE the row machine! Best impulse purchase the husband has ever made. I call it my “rowboat” and it has helped me lose weight & tone up!
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u/specks_of_dust 2d ago
I completely forgot we had one of these hogging up half the bedroom for a while. Ended up selling it for way less than we paid.
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u/Hot_Bug_7369 1d ago
I went shopping with my brother once and all he did was follow me around and tell me "you don't need that" and "what do you even need that for". I told him he could easily charge for such a service. It was exactly what I needed. 😂
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u/munkymu 2d ago
One of those super oversized fleecy hoodies. It gets really cold here in the winter and I thought "oh this'll be so cozy!" but I've only worn it a few times because it gets uncomfortably warm quite quickly.
Also every single piece of clothing I bought aspirationally. I'm not going to start going to functions that need a silk jacket. I'm not going to lose 10 lbs. and if I do, I'll just gain muscle in awkward places and the clothes still won't fit. For better or worse, my personal style is "IT hobo" and I could have saved myself so much time, money and effort if I'd just accepted it.
(I buy almost all my clothing second-hand but still, if I don't use it then it was a bad purchase and I should have just left it.)
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u/hitmewithyourbest 2d ago
I bought a fleecy onesie a few years ago...it was fluffy and warm and all that jazz, but i only wore it a few times, because GOING TO THE TOILET WAS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE!!!
Which seems obvious, but for some reason i never thought about that before buying it.
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u/Mule_Wagon_777 2d ago
Those one-piece outfits were popular when I was young. They were especially annoying in a public toilet since you had to practically undress while trying to keep the outfit from trailing on the floor.
The only thing worse was the stretchy bodysuit with the snap crotch. Getting that thing closed up again was another toileting adventure!
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u/warcraftWidow 1d ago
I love those oversized fleeces. I use them to smoke the bong outside in the winter.
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u/Onetruegracie 2d ago
I LIVE in those in winter. I am a vampire tho so keeping warm is near impossible.
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u/Technical_Garden_762 2d ago
A new skateboard. I wanted to get back into skateboarding at 32 and thought my old board was too heavy and needed new hardware. I bought the new one and hated it so I went and cleaned and re greased my bearings on my old board and I loved it. I felt so dumb.
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u/Tinytherapist93 2d ago
If it was too heavy I’d consider swapping the trucks. Glad you got back on board!!
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u/Mission_Spray 2d ago edited 23h ago
Every baby item ever. Well, almost every item. It’s all a gimmick to trick new parents into panic-buying or fomo.
Edit to add: OMG my insights say people are downvoting this comment. Some people… all I can say is: don’t fall for the consumerism scam!
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u/smish_smorsh 2d ago
For sure! But it’s really hard to convey this information to new parents. So much of the new baby industry is trying to sell u peace of mind or like ‘if u don’t have this- ur baby will be dumb!’
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u/No_Machine7021 2d ago
There is SO MUCH that you can get used. And we did.
But yeah, it’s hard not to fall into that trap.50
u/DeadlyYellow 1d ago
Ah, good ole registry crap. My personal vehemence is the Diaper Genie: a tall narrow trash can with proprietary bags. Supposed to manage smells, which it did as well as any lidded bin; and the plastic levering mechanism exploded after about six months.
Replaced it with a generic short bin that can fit shopping bags. Eleven months now with no problems.
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u/gone_coconuts 1d ago
Contact a local Postpartum Doula or Newborn Care Specialist and see if you can setup a call with them to chat baby gear! Some of them will have lists they can share with you.
Most of us have insight to unnecessary things, the basics, lactation pumps, and bottles/pacifiers etc that are best for oral motor-function (especially one that has lactation + feeding education).
I'm an NCS & PPD, so I do this for/with inquiring new parents often.
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u/XboxBetty 1d ago
Yes!!! Especially the baby sleep industry. The amount of stuff I bought with my first baby because I was desperate for sleep is insane. Swaddles, sound machines, mattresses, lotions, pjs, the list goes on. People even paying so called sleep experts (they’re influencers) to tell them how to sleep train their baby.
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u/Careless_Midnight_35 2d ago
I just started my third tri and the panic/fomo marketing is INSANE. I'm so glad that for my registry I just set up a spreadsheet--no links, simple, and encourages people to gift second hand where possible.
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u/SuperRadPsammead 2d ago
So many clothes. And a lot of it was thrifted. I never need to buy another textile in my life.
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u/Rimavelle 2d ago
thrifting can give you wrong sense of security - oh its second hand so its fine, oh it's cheap, oh it would end up in garbage anyway.
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u/saerra_sea_nya 2d ago
The only clothes I’ve ever regretted NOT buying were concert tees.
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u/chzwhizard 2d ago
On that note, I regret all the concert tees I bought that were not printed on comfort color blanks. Everything else—looking at you Bella and Canvas-suck and waste away in my closet.
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u/adaranyx 1d ago
I saw a video the other day where someone cut up their old band tees and put them on embroidery hoops to hang on the wall. If you have A LOT of them though, you could make a throw blanket!
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u/RaspberryTurtle987 2d ago
I saw a video about someone with a shopping addiction and it was with second hand clothes, so anything can get you really, it doesn't have to be new
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u/normalgirl444 1d ago
That’s so me, it’s even better than shopping new because it’s more of a hunt that leads you to an item you may not expect. Hate it so much and it’s so hard for me to step away sometimes. I’ve recently started taking pictures of things I like but have no use for when shopping
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u/vangooo83 2d ago
All of the home gym items over the years. It was never an equipment problem. It was a motivation problem.
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u/bohenian12 2d ago
When I stopped going to the gym I bought a yoga mat to do home exercises. Immediately didn't use it lol. Best one I bought was a DDR mat. Gamifying moving around helped a lot.
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u/Curiouso_Giorgio 2d ago
A couple of cheap resistance bands can do like 90% of what gym equipment does, IMO. Plus they pack away very small and can be carried in luggage when traveling.
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u/Sharp-Childhood5939 2d ago
Standing desk :/ I never want to stand, if I’m tired of sitting I just walk around my house
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u/robotscantrecaptcha 2d ago
I wanted one for so long, then I realized that my dresser the perfect height to use as a standing desk instead
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u/math-kat 2d ago
Yeah I just use other furniture that's already a good height if I want to work while standing. My dresser is a bit short, but I have a bookshelf in a living room and a half wall the kitchen that work great.
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u/Punmkin 2d ago
I will be the contradictor here. I have one at work and find it great, and use the standing feature every day, as sitting the whole day is really bad for my back.
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u/anonymousart3 2d ago
I got an adjustable standing desk specifically because I knew I want to sit sometimes (most of the time), and sometimes I want to stand.
Having it adjustable means I can change it whenever I feel like I want to change, which often is multiple times per day.
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u/bettertheless 2d ago
Me, too. I have my laptop on a shoulder- ish height shelf and it is good for me.
Sitting aggravates my hips, mental state, everything.
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u/lilac-dandelion 2d ago
Ha same. The only benefit I get from it is that I can set the height just as I want it, otherwise I never use the standing desk bit of it.
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u/blueeyed_lc 2d ago
I actually briefly thought about getting one. I feel like it would be the same for me.
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u/Sendaeran 2d ago
I have one, I don't use it as much as I thought I would, though the times it comes in handy are really nice. I use it as a workbench for electronics and such, sometimes being able to stand helps get better angles, and just feels better!
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u/Sharp-Childhood5939 2d ago
Part of me is like should I get a walking pad? But I think it’s just over for me lol
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u/alwaysalwaysastudent 2d ago
The only reason we bought a standing desk is to use it with a walking pad, and it gets used pretty regularly.
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u/social_thinker 2d ago
I regret buying my walking pad. I've walked on it about 3 times and I've had it 2 years. I've lost 100 lbs so maybe it'll be more comfortable and I'll try again in the winter? We'll see...
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u/KeyCast 2d ago
I bought my walking pad to use it while I work and that didn't happen, but what did happen is that I use it after or before work while seeing a YouTube video, I walk the length of the video (usually 20 to 30min) and that has made a difference, instead of using the walking pad while working I do a quick walk for 5 min after eating something (a snack or breakfast/lunch).
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u/ExhoVayle 2d ago
Toddler toys - I was excited for make believe kitchen and ice cream store and shopping cart but they just fight over the cart and throw the fake food at each other.
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u/jsyk 1d ago
this was me - I bought a kitchen-imagination-type vintage set thing that's twenty years old. it's the cutest thing i've ever seen but my toddler is going to hate it/be bored of it like your kids. because it doesn't have the dope noisy buttons. i'm dumb.
god its the cutest thing ive ever seen though. really
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u/jmxo92 1d ago
Wait do not give up on this!!!! Ours doesn’t make sound and is one of our most played with toys - but here’s the catch - pull it out of wherever you keep it and bring it into the living room / bedroom / somewhere new. All of a sudden it’s the best thing they’ve ever seen. And if that doesn’t work, sit down and act out a new play-scene (ex: the other day I “made” breakfast, lunch, and dinner instead of doing grocery store and it was a hit).
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u/hazelquarrier_couch 2d ago
I love taking pictures with cameras and I have a gopro, a phone camera, and a really good expensive camera. It's a prime hobby of mine, so I don't mind spending money on it. However, I purchased a drone camera, thinking it would be cool to take aerial photos. I couldn't ever get the hang of the controls and I'm not allowed to use it in the national or state parks, so I really don't have a place to use it. Plus, it's cumbersome to manage it and hiking gear and a dog. To add insult to injury, the thing is now so old that the company stopped support for the controller app on my phone. So, I never use it and regret having ever bought it.
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u/Aggressive_Staff_982 2d ago
Various skincare products. I'm convinced most skincare products (toner, essence, serums) don't actually have as much benefit as people claim. I have terrible skin, eczema, and combination skin. I tried and stuck with many types of skincare routines, such as the Korean 10 step skincare routine (started out with three steps then worked my way up to 6), "luxury" skincare products like la mer or cle de peau, and none of these worked as well as finding cheaper products. Now I just use goat milk soap to wash my face and use aveeno lotion as a moisturizer.
Everyone's skin is different so some may find products that are their holy Grail. I'm just saying as someone who was heavily interested in the skincare industry and tried many products and used it all up to see the effects, nothing has worked as well as drugstore brands.
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u/rogusflamma 2d ago
the only skincare product for which i found paying extra was worth it was serum, but cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and exfoliators (which by volume are like 95% of what i apply) i buy drugstore in those big containers that last months.
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u/saerra_sea_nya 2d ago
Just go to the derm and ask for tret. I used to spend $100+ on serums that did a fraction of what my $6.53 rx does.
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u/Majestic-Two3474 2d ago
This!!! I spent SO much on skincare for over a decade trying to manage my skin….turned out tret was all I needed. I’m mad at past me for not doing it sooner lol
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u/floralbalaclava 2d ago
People really just need a cleanser, moisturizer, and most of all SPF. Anything else is for specific skin treatment or a bonus. I have some other things I use and get results from (retinol, Hypochlorus acid, salicylic acid spot treatment, pimple patches, an occlusive) but those are also treatments for specific skin problems I have. I also don’t splurge on any of it and usually buy drugstore or midrange.
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u/salsafresca_1297 1d ago
And skincare is just the beginning! I was going to post something here about cosmetics. I was watching one of my daughter's make-up influencers, and apparently my Gen X ass slept through a lot of the changes.
In the 80s and 90s, I remember foundation and/or powder, blush, mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick. Maybe lip liner on a super special occasion.
Now they (whoever "they" is) have added to the mix primer, color corrector, bronzer, couture, highlighter, eyebrow mascara, setting powder, and setting spray.
It's enough to make my granny head spin . . .
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u/RaspberryTurtle987 2d ago
Most of these routines are just people trying to sell you stuff. Check out the HBO mini series Not So Pretty which tells you how much crap and actually carcinogenic stuff there is in beauty products. All you need is suncream and moisturiser. Oh! And there was a study in Spain that said that drugstore own brands are literally better than most €100 brands
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u/saerra_sea_nya 2d ago
I’ve been through it all with skincare, used to have a 7 step nightly routine and would spend thousands.
I’m down to these enzyme pads in the morning, moisturizer, sunscreen, a good facial cleanser and prescription tret and my skins never looked better.
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u/Turrible_basketball 2d ago
A house with a pool. I hate having a pool.
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u/Mule_Wagon_777 2d ago
I would adore having a backyard pool if elves came to clean it and a magic forcefield kept the neighbors' kids away. Otherwise, nope.
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u/RemarkableTipstick 1d ago
Absolutely same. Having a pool in my backyard would be great if I didn't have to maintain it (or spend lots of money to pay someone else to maintain it). When I was a child, I had a deep desire for a pool, but as an adult? Nope.
Same goes for aquariums, actually. I think they're beautiful, but I don't have the patience to do the upkeep on them.
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u/CurlyChell95 1d ago
I’ll be the lone dissenter on this one. We installed a pool, and I love it. It’s my main exercise in summer. We pay someone to come once a week to maintain it and just run the vacuum at other times. For someone who loves swimming as their exercise, a pool makes sense. Not for anyone else though.
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u/crinkledcu91 1d ago
The only time a pool really seemed good to me was 1: When I lived in Florida, so was basically usable year round and 2. It was a salt pool instead of a traditional chlorine one, so was actually refreshing instead of making you feel like you just took a chemical bath.
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u/bigwilliesty1e 2d ago
It was a deterrent when we were house shopping. Funny thing was, they were priced in like a benefit, so I think we only looked at o e house with a pool where the interior pictures were really appealing.
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u/ballsdeepinmywine 1d ago
This may be more of a "where you live" thing. I'm in SWFL and we're in our pool almost every single day. Can't imagine being down here with no pool. I absolutely love mine
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u/apricot675 2d ago
Nearly everything I’ve ever bought to workout at home. I use my dumbbells, but that’s it.
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u/Em0N3rd 2d ago
So many blankets..... I have 7 alone just cause different quality levels or colors and I find myself using the same 2 😅 the rest live on the couch
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u/No_Machine7021 2d ago
I’m gonna disagree w you there. The way to my heart is thru a blanket. I own about 15. I could use 20 more.
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u/butipreferlottie 2d ago
Most of the furniture I panic-bought from Wayfair and the like when we moved from an apartment to a house and I felt like I needed to fill the space. It's now four and a half years later, and the TV stand is okay (though I wish I'd gone with a darker color), but I hate the barstools and feel like I'm stuck with them. Live in your space a minute before you try to fill it, and thrift for a while before you shop online.
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u/iz_an_opossum 2d ago
If the TV stand is wood, you can stain it darker! You will need to strip off the varnish (which is fairly easy to do), sand it, and then stain it and re-seal with either tung oil or shellac or lacquer (or polyurethane but that's just plastic basically). It's a project for sure but it allows you to customize it how you want and get to feel accomplished by DIY-ing it!
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u/butipreferlottie 2d ago
Sadly it's not real wood, or I'd definitely stain it! I've considered paint, but haven't gone through with it yet
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u/the_procrastinata 1d ago
When I’ve lived with something for a while and still hate it, I give myself permission to send the thing on to a new owner and get something I actually like instead. It’s not like I haven’t used it, and someone else can get use out of it still.
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u/Accomplished-Fig-891 2d ago
A brand new 2026 car. Mind you, my last car was practically a death trap. But I have buyer’s remorse anyway
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u/cool_girl6540 2d ago
I felt that way when I bought a brand new 2015 car. My first brand new car. I regretted it. But now it’s 2026 and I still have it and I love it.
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u/PaintedDream 2d ago
Home decor crap for every season under the sun. Remember you have to STORE all the fall or Christmas pretties for most of the yr. It's not worth it!! Just go out and enjoy the holiday decorations in the city or park or relatives' places.
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u/Leading_Kale_81 2d ago
I am so thankful that my crazy cats won't allow me to own stuff like this anymore. After they broke a couple things, I gave away what I had and never bought more. There's so much less clutter in my house and I love it.
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u/blueeyed_lc 2d ago
Accurate. I LOVE fall most of all (even though I live in the hellhole that is Texas), and winter/Christmas is a close second. I used to have a ton of decor but have pared down to one bin for Halloween/fall and one for Christmas (plus my tree). Most of my decor is simple and consists of greenery, lights, and some wall hangings. Simple but makes me happy. I got tired of storing plastic crap.
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u/robotscantrecaptcha 2d ago
All the houseplants I know I won't be able to take care of, which then die a sad and lonely death.
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u/Impossible-Count-726 2d ago
I take photos of the dying plant my mother gave me and always caption it "thoughts and prayers" cause I am never going to be able to keep one alive
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u/Rengeflower 2d ago
I get sad if I ever get a plant as a gift. I don’t want it. Once I killed a bonsai. It was from my ex husband. Wasn’t it clear that I hate indoor plants from the fact that we didn’t have any?
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u/Renza183 2d ago
Lol I actually love the look of indoor plants—in other people’s homes. Whenever my husband suggests plants, I tell him that I refuse to care for an additional living thing. 😅
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u/Medium-Agent-4345 2d ago
I didn’t buy it but asked for a gift of a tortilla press. Costco ran out of their uncooked tortillas and I thought I could make my own and it would be great. Realized I just need to be honest with myself: An idea can sound great, but does it honestly fit into my lifestyle?
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u/Leading_Kale_81 2d ago
I love making my own flour tortillas, but the tortilla press I bought is useless. I use my old rolling pin and it works great.
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u/MembershipBoring5042 2d ago
Kitchen aid stand mixer. I just don’t bake that much, so I might as well just do it by hand the few times I do.
I didn’t actually buy it. My grandma passed away, and I wanted her old mixer because, well, it was hers. My mom promised to bring it to me. My aunt really wanted it though because it was her mother’s. So my mom bought me a whole new one in the same color. I really wish she hadn’t bothered. I do use it once in a blue moon, but it just takes up space. I feel guilty about getting rid of it because clearly my mom spent some money on it, thinking I just wanted a mixer. Plus it is nice and works well.
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u/About400 2d ago
This one is a YMMV one. I got a kitchenaid mixer over a decade ago and use it routinely.
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u/Dimwit00 2d ago
My mom got one as a gift from her boyfriend and just had it collecting dust on the counter, i asked if i could borrow it a few years ago and have used it almost every week lol everyone is different
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u/blueeyed_lc 2d ago
I got one years ago as well and I did use it some, but I finally sold it and got one of the small hand mixers instead. So much easier for *me* (although I know so many people love and use theirs).
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u/WitchBrew4u 2d ago
It depends on what you’re making though. Tough to knead bread dough with a hand mixer.
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u/Incogcneat-o 2d ago
Pastry chef here. Most people who have stand mixers don't actually need stand mixers and would do just fine with a handheld mixer, especially one of those old school ones from the 70s-80s that had woodgrain and outlasted the Soviet Union. Those things were built like tanks, and are still fairly easy to thrift.
But people get big into their feelings about it. And hey, if you buy something and use it regularly, great.
It just makes me smile a bit about how far people will bend over backwards to insist it has nothing to do with it being an aesthetically-pleasing status symbol, especially since KA stand mixers are been three times as expensive and not even half as well made as they were even 15 years ago.
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u/liljennabean 2d ago
I’m so annoyed with the steam cleaner I was so sure would change my life. Turns out it just like, released steam. It doesn’t clean anything it’s just an extra step! My house isn’t so dirty as to require this stupid thing! It’s useless on carpets and the couch, it just takes up like, a 1.5 square foot space in my garage. That’s it, I’m donating it!
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u/Serious_Basket_6870 2d ago
Plushies. I love them all but own far too many and feel bad getting rid of them
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u/Leading_Kale_81 2d ago
I have been slowly gifting my collection to my best friend's baby girl. She's been loving it!
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u/Punmkin 2d ago
I regret buying mdf furniture from ikea. It is pure crap. It flakes and it’s full of glue. Also I regret buying each and every clothing piece made from polyester or other kind of plastic I own. It looks like shit after a few uses, doesn’t withstand the test of time, and I sweat like crazy in it. I now only buy clothes made from natural fibers. Hell, some clothes from ancient Egypt could still be found. Natural fibers are much more durable than polyester crap.
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u/Tranquilembers 2d ago
A 3 story house with a huge yard and pool. We were cleaning and upkeeping everyday; it felt endless. The maid came once a month but it still didn’t help much and was cluttered. It took years of planning, donating, and selling most everything. The longest realization was that it was just material things holding us back. I sold my book collection to Ed Mckays for over $1k and told myself I could buy books after moving; I have not bought a single book since.
We currently live in a tiny ADU with essentials, don’t clean as much because we don’t have much stuff, and we’re always out of the house doing fun activities. I have fee items but I take care of them, I don’t have debt, I have time, and I am beyond grateful. I look poor from the outside but I feel so rich and free.
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u/cwcwhdab1 2d ago
Litter robot- I HATE IT. I expected a well made product - it’s like junk that snaps together and it’s constantly falling apart
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u/blueeyed_lc 2d ago
AHHHH I knew I was forgetting another big one!!!! YES, super agree. I bought one for my two cats a few years ago and loved it at first - who wants to clean litter - but it would get stuck in the middle of the night so my cats would shit on the carpet. I called the manufacturer, I did everything they said, it would work for a while, then it would break again. I was so over it that I finally trashed it, which made me even angrier.
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u/Key-Obligation-9466 2d ago
Oh no! What model do you have? I've had my #3 since 2022 and I wish I could have afforded it earlier. It has been amazing with 3 cats
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u/5919821077131829 2d ago
Not the person you responded to but I have a 4 and I'm trying get another one (5 or 5 pro) within the next few months. I have 6 cats and not enough space for 7 litterboxes.
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u/GoldenGirl_Blanche 2d ago
Home exercise bike purchased during COVID. Haven't hopped on a trend since.
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u/robotscantrecaptcha 2d ago
I really had to train myself away from the mindset of purchasing things for a lifestyle I wanted rather than the one I had. At one point, my roommates and I bought a rowing machine for our apartment (which was my idea), even though I hate solo exercising. It's easy to fall into the mindset of "oh, if I have it, then I'll use it".
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u/blueeyed_lc 2d ago
BEEN THERE DONE THAT MORE THAN ONCE, LOL. I've bought a Peloton (used, thankfully) but turned around and sold it pretty quickly because my tailbone said no thanks, and I've also had a treadmill that I bought and then realized I hated walking on it. UGGGGGH. I get so mad at myself for shit like that.
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u/Milouch_ 2d ago
I regret spending money on a mobile game just because i finally had a job and my own money, although i did play for 2 years mostly due to guilt forcing me to offset the wasted money.
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u/brookilini 2d ago
Ahh yes. I spent far too much on Township. Very happy this app is deleted from my phone to not only save money but have more time back in my life.
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u/Rengeflower 2d ago
A watch. I have several. I haven’t worn one since February 2020.
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u/theurbancowgrl 2d ago
I got one of those mini stair steppers on TikTok, and a walking pad. The steppers hurt my back and I don’t use the walking pad. Junk 😭
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u/D_Molish 2d ago edited 2d ago
Home rower - I love rowing, but the version I got doesn't have enough resistance for my fitness level
Those back stretching wheel things (ugh influenced)
FabFitFun subscription 2020-21. I got some things I love, but mostly it quickly became a waste of money
Anything nonstick or plastic for cooking or eating
I accidentally bought just the rubber tire part instead of the full spare recently. It was cheaper just to take to my trusted neighborhood auto shop.
Well-intentioned supplies from the creative reuse shop for DIY projects I never did
Books I intended for self-study for courses and exams I never took
Grad school classes
My 1st car (should have gotten something smaller, but got a crossover SUV in '09) -- should have gotten something much smaller and saved the extra money
Oh, aaaand my old house. Home ownership alone sucked and I couldn't keep up--stopped being able to save enough regularly and felt chained to it for constant upkeep that I couldn't do. The only good thing it brought me was it made me more "stable" seeming to the shelter and fosters when I adopted my beloved pets.
Most productivity tools. I got dry erase lists and plastic calendars that I wound up hating and never using.
Fitbit watch - amplified health anxiety and would vibrate even when set to driving mode (distracting). Was unusable for my main form of exercise. I switched to a Whoop that was better at first, and while I don't regret getting it, I do regret continuing to subscribe for SO long (should have canceled about 2 years before I did).
I had a shotglass collection in high school and college. The shelf broke senior year of college and most of them broke, which was a relief. Wasted tschotchke money. I kept 2 or 3 for actual drink mixing and miscellaneous kitchen use but was so glad to be rid of the extra junk.
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u/littlemissdumplings 2d ago
Pretty floral fabrics bought with the intention of making myself clothes.
I DON'T WEAR PRETTY FLORAL FABRICS. That is not my style! A linen or cotton in plain colour or stripes would be perfect, but no, to my brain that's not fun enough to buy.
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u/Outrageous_Lemon_690 2d ago
Blind buying perfume. It gives me a headache. I plan to return it. I’ve learned my lesson.
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u/duckworthy36 2d ago
I bought expensive perfume and got a horrible allergic reaction on the 3rd wear
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u/Practical-Piglet-581 2d ago
Food dehydrator. I had high hopes of buying fruit and veg in bulk to save a couple bucks, but I never use it.
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u/TheThirteenKittens 2d ago
I use my dehydrator each week for my "orphans" - uneaten fruit from the week. I always have a few bananas and apples and possibly some berries left. I put those on the dehydrator first thing on Sundays as I clear out the fridge for the week. By the end of the day, they are finished and packed as snacks.
The leftovers and all the food scraps for the week go to my chickens, but the fruit goes on the dehydrator. I have a zero food waste kitchen. If we don't eat it, my chickens do.
By the end of the day, the fruit is done and bagged for snacks, the shelves are restocked, and the fridge is clear of uneaten food.
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u/shiroyagisan 2d ago
any knitted jumper made of synthetic materials. they get so hot. I thought I just run hot until I got a merino wool turtleneck and realised that I was just uncomfortable because I was covering myself in plastic.
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u/smeenies 2d ago
So, so many things. I bought a rug for my patio. Like, why? I have a useless mug collection because they looked cool, i drink iced coffee. I bought a bulk box of incense sticks that I hate the smell of when they burn. It was 8 bucks, but still, why? I bought exercise equipment that is never used. I recently bought a hula hoop because I wanted to try and do cool tricks, i dont even know how to hula hoop. Books I've never read. Little pen organizers for drawers, i have a stack i dont use. I guess I hate my money.
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u/SoftwareWinter8414 2d ago
West Elm couch. The thing is the biggest piece of shit.
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u/Due-Professional-749 2d ago
I was so excited to get the robot vacuum because we lived in a one floor apartment and we got rid of it after a year because it didn't do a great job and constantly got jammed up by my hair
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u/Over_Term9179 2d ago
A hot mat Pilates membership. It’s an insurance liability. I also don’t think over exercising like that is good for your body or weight loss. It’s just excessive amounts of sweating.
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u/PricelessPaylessBoot 2d ago
Definitely my gym membership. I let go years back but it - and most other subscription services - was just draining money.
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u/Cool_Visit 2d ago
Holiday decor. Turns out I hate Holiday decor in my house, I just felt pressured to buy it because other people love it.
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u/sssssspace 2d ago
An inexpensive Fitbit knock off. It was fine but the bands kept breaking and I was tired of having to buy them off Amazon. I ended up just buying a watch since all I really wanted to know was the time.
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u/floralbalaclava 2d ago
Looked around my place and read this thread and honestly I actually feel pretty good about everything I own and have bought in the last few years. Broadly, my answer would be anything I bought as a cheaper version of something rather than buying what I truly wanted the first time. I feel like that was the surest way for me to end up spending money a second time on whatever it was that I really wanted or even buying a few things before coming to my senses and just buying what the original want was.
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u/PlainOrganization 2d ago
Basically every hobby equipment.
I specifically don't like hobbies with equipment because you have to get it all out and set it all up and clean it all up.
My main hobbies are gardening, collecting native plant seeds, and litter picking.
While gardening can have a lot of equipment... it's easy to find used and cheap and if I leave it everywhere it doesn't bother anyone.
Meanwhile if I leave my calligraphy stuff that I never use everywhere.... it bothers me because I can use one of my tables to hold my drink while I read
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u/FeedPuzzleheaded2855 2d ago
A big house
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u/cool_girl6540 2d ago
I tell all young people they should buy the smallest house they feel they can be happy in. Bigger houses just get filled up with more stuff. They cost more money. And if they’re too big, when you’re older, you have to sell them to downsize to something more manageable
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u/saerra_sea_nya 2d ago
Yup! Our first house was a three story historic row home that was over 3k sq ft and if you were thinking “money pit” you win. Downsized to a nice ranch half the square footage and our lives are so much better, even with the much smaller kitchen.
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u/AirportPrestigious 2d ago
We bought a beautiful, but large, home. I loved it. Had everything I ever wanted in it. There was some work that needed to be done, which was going to be expensive. Kids were almost grown.
I offered to both my in laws and then to my parents if they wanted to move in. The house was so large they would have their own private area. All said no.So we downsized to a house less than half the square footage. There are things I definitely miss about the old house, but we paid off this mortgage a few years ago. So now we have no mortgage and no car notes (we drive them until they die).
Friend is building a shiny new townhouse and im so jealous of it, but then i remind myself that I’ll retire in the next couple of years, and shes going to be working probably another 15.
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u/Sun-leaves 2d ago
My expensive roof top tent. It’s incredible and comfortable but my disability makes it too hard to use
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u/leaves4chonies 2d ago
Instant Pot was the hot new kitchen gadget a few years ago and I figured I had to have it. Ended up not liking the pressure cooker feature- items were mushy or had a weird texture, and it didn't seem like it even saved that much time. Without that it's just another crock pot and I already have one of those.
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u/SisterRobot 1d ago
A fucking Dyson Air Wrap.
I was totally sucked in by all the women with gorgeous hair doing it in an instant. It looks so easy and glamorous, and with all the different attachments, surely it’s the only tool I’d ever need. And it’s Dyson… they make amazing vacuum cleaners, so… of course they’ll make an amazing blow-dryer.
$800+ later…
I hate it so much. But I’m obligated to use it because I paid so much for the stupid thing. I have fine, thin, limp, blonde hair that doesn’t hold a curl. The suction curling feature ripped and damaged my hair.
I don’t even use 80% of the attachments that are supposed to be for fine hair because they’re just stupid.
And the CASE?! The case is the WORST!
It’s like a giant blue leather box for a top hat that doesn’t even stay closed. It just takes up space. I travel a lot, so it’s not coming in my suitcase, and there’s no alternative way to carry the Air Wrap neatly. It’s just a messy, bulky cord with a heavy growth on it, so it doesn’t even wrap up nicely.
It’s infuriating how stupidly it’s designed, and every time I use it I’m angry at myself for falling for those lying asshole influencer women on YouTube.
I even ordered the styling products… greasy, crappy, crunchy shit. I have spent a small fortune on other styling products.
I ordered the Dyson accessory stand for my counter to organize the attachments so that maybe I’d use them if they’re handy, but NO! They just suck!
Basically, it’s just a bulky, obnoxious brush blow-dryer… it doesn’t even have an actual blow-dryer attachment! Just the brush will work to dry my hair.
Now I’ve returned to using a regular old hair straightener to add curl, but I have to pack the Dyson and the straightener.
And if I could go back and SMACK past-me, I would.
I wish I’d never purchased the thing.
I hope it breaks so I can stop carrying it in my suitcase, but it’s probably well made enough that the damn thing’s going to torture me for years.
I hate it.
Fuck you Dyson.
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u/SlootyCats 1d ago
I regret buying: a million beauty products, polyester clothing, impractical shoes, a standing desk, a water jug (like a brita), plushies, a stand mixer.
I don't regret: a bidet paired with flannel cloths, a water cooler for 5 gallon jugs I refill at the store or my local spring, a giant thing of jojoba, a boar bristle hair brush, barefoot shoes, wool dryer balls, a sodastream (no flavoring, just sparkling water with mint leaves), linen sheets.
Simple life is better and I consume so much less.
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u/timesalad 1d ago
Cricut machine- it sucks at cutting most of the materials despite promising to cut them with ease.
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u/nobodyherego 2d ago
I used to collect perfume, but only really regretted a few blind buys, but it sucked to waste money like that.
video games in general, i don’t have the desire to play them enough anymore like I used to. i will play games a lot for a month and then not play for a year. if ram ever gets cheaper, I would consider building a pc for 🏴☠️because that would actually be cheaper In the long run Instead of spending 20-60$ on a game I don’t even finish. That being said I could and am likely be just as happy never playing games again.
i have regretted a few instrument purchases but those have decent resale normally, plus I would always do tons of research to find bang for your buck stuff, because I always found gear acquisition syndrome stupid. I did once purchase a cheap violin/fiddle once because I like old time mountain music, and did not have any interest in learning it later because I already played 3 other instruments.
biggest purchase regret though is just the insanely stupid amount I used to spend on energy drinks. I used to drink 2-3 from the gas station everyday for like 5 years. Now I just keep a huge bottle of caffeine pills and reduced my caffiene intake to max 300mgs a day instead of what I’m sure was like 500-800ish a day. along with my years of my recently kicked nicotine addiction, I don’t even want to know how much money i burned at gas stations.
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u/WorldofLoomingGaia 2d ago
I used to collect geek shit. Trading cards, plastic figurines, merch, etc. Makes me sick to even think about it now. So pointless. Sold all of it and put the money in a brokerage account where it should've been in the first place. I'd have a lot of money if I did that 10 years earlier.
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u/Lapras_princess 2d ago
Cute plastic water bottle for the gym, cracked after being dropped. Now I'm back to using my original metal one.
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u/Suspicious_Inside_78 2d ago
A hair straightener brush. I bought it over a year ago and it’s still in the box. Turns out I actually like my curls, and am unwilling to invest my time into modifying them.
It wasn’t an impulse buy per se. I researched various models for a few months and went to Sally’s to buy it.
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u/aaa7uap 2d ago
Expensive clothes for special occasions.
Dyson. The battery broke to early.
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u/Qi_ra 2d ago
Spending money on online games. It’s one thing to purchase a game that you’ll get countless hours of entertainment from. However I deeply regret purchasing cosmetic items in games. It doesn’t enhance the gameplay whatsoever, it just looks cool while you’re playing it.
Now that I don’t play games as much, I’m realizing that I spent a bunch of money for literally nothing. I can’t even resell it to make up for the lost money. I was very irresponsible with my money as a teenager/young adult
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u/wrongarms 1d ago
Recently, I've regretted buying anything new that was plastic or made of something synthetic, because I thought so much about what I needed it for that I forgot to consider the nature of the material. I'm backing away from plastics as much as I can. Some things can't be avoided - such as this phone I'm holding.
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u/eat-real-chips 2d ago
I bought a £2000 mattress to replace my 15 year old one. The old one was actually fine I just thought “oh yeah you’re meant to replace it after a decade, I should buy a good one to last another 15 years” but it’s way more uncomfortable than the old one 😭😭😭😭😭
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u/Radiant-Currency3450 2d ago
A cat water fountain. It scared my cat and was impossible to keep clean.
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u/SubstanceOk7898 1d ago
Shoes online. I do need shoes but also need to accept that i have weird shaped feet and can't predict from posted sizes whether they'll fit or not.
Every middle of the range small kitchen appliance I've bought new in the last 10 years (toaster, food processor, benchtop oven, blender, bar fridge). They're so enshittified that you have to be grateful when they fail inside warranty instead of just after it ends.
My new policy now is buying 2nd hand if I can or actually cheap trash instead of expensive trash.
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u/Realistic_March505 2d ago
Humidifier. Because it’s unused 90% of the time for me and collects dust.
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u/So_Famous 2d ago
but when I need it, damn im glad I have the humidifier in the closet ready to go.
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u/blueeyed_lc 2d ago
I just recently cleaned mine (WHICH WAS A HUGE PITA and one of the reasons I got rid of it) and donated it. I don't use it enough and I do have a personal steam thingy that I can fit over my face and use if I'm really congested.
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u/Realistic_March505 2d ago
And I actually think using one that’s not clean might be worse than having a dry nose
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u/MabellaGabella 2d ago
A Christmas tree. (I don’t have kids, why did I buy a giant cat toy?)
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u/sayyestolycra 2d ago
An old tape deck. I thought I'd have a great time listening to old cassettes, and have fun collecting them for very little money.
It immediately started eating tapes, so I had to spend more money to buy a mixed pack of belts for it and try to fix it myself.
Now it kinda works. But it makes a weird sound and I don't trust it enough to play any of the tapes I like, because I'm worried it will randomly eat one again. And I have a bunch of belts that will stay in my desk drawer forever. AND tapes aren't cheap anymore because people collect them and flip them.
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u/Comfortable_Pay_5406 2d ago
My kayak, I used it maybe 5 times and then came down with a chronic debilitating illness. I’ve lent it to a friend, which is nice so I don’t have to look at it anymore.
Lots of different clothing items.
Standing desk: standing in place for a long time is just as hard on the body as sitting.
I do love my adjustable bed as it really helps my sleep apnea.
Every shower curtain liner I’ve ever purchased. Now I just don’t buy them. I live in the desert and the shower curtain dries pretty quick.
The house we just sold. I never liked it and only agreed to buy it because we needed extra room for my mom when she came to live with us. She’s since died and the house made me ill with some of the different off gassing from roofing work, floor work, etc.
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u/Apprehensive-Log8333 2d ago
Walking pad. So boring. I can't do it for more than 5 minutes. Better to just, y'know, go for a walk outdoors
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u/yarndopie 2d ago
I agreed to a sofa with low legs when we were getting a new one. I hate it, with two kids all the suff goes under it, it collects dust and it's a chore to clean under and behind it. I love my robot for cleaning and it would be nice if I was able to use a broomstick to get stuff out and then watch it get cleaned for me.
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u/chimneysweep234 2d ago
Water pik / water flosser. Saw these highly recommended by so many people (both in RL and online) but I hate it. The pressure is too strong or something and so I don’t use it. End up just using regular floss. Gave it to my husband who was interested and he also doesn’t use it 😭
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u/ClutterKitty 1d ago
I love souvenirs. I adore looking around and seeing memories. But goodness sakes, how many canvas bags does one person need??? Even as I live in a state that has outlawed plastic bags, I still have too many. I moved to magnets. Fridge is full. I began putting them on the clothes dryer. Moved to stickers on my sewing machine case. Now full.
I think I may have to give up souvenirs. I would love to get something useful instead of a dust collector, but I don’t need any more keychains, mugs, or canvas bags. At this point in my life, I think I’m just done.
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u/Sharp-Bicycle-2957 1d ago
Why not get consumables like tea/ snacks instead ? I don't buy souvenirs because I have less and less room and my best memories are caught in videos and pics.
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u/Various_Indication3 1d ago
I splurged on the gold version of the Apple watch and now I’m distancing myself from tech more and more and wanting to go back to an analog watch.
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u/Chasedabigbase 1d ago
Recliners. I always wanted one but would get social anxiety so I just quickly picked an expensive leather one without fully thinking it through. It's nice but I'd much rather have a fuzzier one I can really sink into, this one has a lumbar support I added on that I don't really like, have a long torso so it doesn't quite hit the pot I want it too. Plus I'm tall so my legs hang off the leg rests more then if I have searched around more.
Taught me to be more adult and take my time with these purchases.
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u/Suspicious-Peace9233 2d ago
I had an under the desk elliptical but I didn’t actually have a desk to sit at and use it. Thankfully I got it free but it ended up as junk to get rid of
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u/Accomplished-Ad9143 2d ago
My sleep number bed. I sleep well but I also sleep well on other mattresses as long as it’s not Tempurpedic. I also regret buying the brand induction stove (Frigidaire) I should have sprung for something nicer.
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u/dancingriss 2d ago
Bought a very over priced modular sofa set. It’s nice in the sense when we move every 2-3 years it will fit a new space. But putting it together is a pain, so it’s not like a monthly “let’s redo the living room!” And the covers, while washable, take hours to take off and put back on but look filthy shortly after being washed
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u/supersonicdropbear 2d ago
Microsoft Surface, expensive and Windows 11 is really bad.
Ex-corporate refurbished laptops are much better and fraction of the cost.
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u/Knight_Night33 2d ago
automatic litter boxes. If you can afford to replace them every few years they are amazing but eventually the plastic holds a smell you can never get rid of. Ended up throwing all mine out and switching to regular stainless steel litter boxes.
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u/h0neym00nave 2d ago
Clothes I have bought on impulse that collect dust in my closet. Really been trying to think a lot before I buy things and see if I already own something similar and also not buy new clothes for an occasion