We’ve all succumbed to impulse purchases at some point, so if you’ve got buyer’s remorse about any of the following household items, there’s no shame. If you haven’t made these purchases yet, be forewarned:
- Home exercise equipment. It could be a door-mounted chin-up bar, a treadmill, or a stair-stepper. You bought it in a flash of inspiration to get sleek abs and python arms. Now, you only use it to hang up your laundry to dry.
- Uncomfortable or ugly furniture. That unique chair that begged you to take it home from the store is either uncomfortable, unsightly, or both. Guests sit briefly, squirm, and then move to the couch. You should have sat down in the chair for more than a few minutes on the showroom floor or considered how its color would complement your prevailing tones at home.
- One-and-done kitchen appliances. Unless it’s a small appliance you’ll use daily, think twice about a shaved-ice snow-cone maker or a soda dispenser. Single-use devices take up counter, drawer, or cabinet space. A coffee maker is used daily, but a popcorn popper is used occasionally. Avoid adding clutter—and having buyer’s remorse.
- Specialty kitchen gadgets. Ignore TV ads for those gimmicky hand gadgets for opening jar lids, making swirly cut French fries, slicing bagels, or chopping vegetables. Most of the time, these gadgets get snagged when you open and close the drawer where you store them, and they just annoy you.
- Subscriptions. Most people have several subscriptions they signed up for on impulse, cumulatively adding an average of $273 per month to Americans’ budgets. That wine-of-the-month club, meal-in-a-box delivery program, or entertainment subscription is exciting for the first six months, forgotten thereafter. But you’re still paying.
One way to prevent buyer’s remorse is to practice the three-day rule. Hold off on impulse purchasing for three days, especially if you’re stressed out. Instead, put the item on your wishlist, then put a pause on buying it for 72 hours. After the three days are up, if you still want to make the purchase—and you can afford it—go ahead and get it. When you’ve put enough thought into an item, you’re more likely to actually use it. The best advice is to curb your impulses and think hard before you pull out that credit card.
Related – Plan Ahead to Avoid Home Buyer’s Remorse
