2 ms·
I've heard this phrased as "buy once, cry once". A few years ago my New Year's resolution was to stop buying cheap crap, and to consciously save up for nice th
by omginternets 6y ago
I've heard this phrased as "buy once, cry once".
A few years ago my New Year's resolution was to stop buying cheap crap, and to consciously save up for nice things. This had a few unexpected consequences:
1. I accumulate less junk and produce less waste.
2. I buy less stuff and end up spending less money in the long run, since there's only so much you can save up for at once.
3. My purchases bring me much more pleasure; the anticipation and research heightens the joy of actually getting the thing.
Number 3 was the most surprising to me, most likely because I have a rather strong anti-materialism streak. I'm not the kind of person who "goes shopping", but even I must admit that deliberately saving up for something makes its purchase a bit more meaningful, and loads more satisfying.
Oh, and I basically don't experience buyer's remorse anymore, which is nice.
- ptmcc 6y agoI've come to similar conclusions as you. > the anticipation and research heightens the joy of actually getting the thing I've found that the research and thinking process is often the most fun part, and that I can replace that little dopamine hit from buying a bunch of cheap crap by window shopping for nicer, more expensive things for the future. Then when I am finally ready to buy something nice, I've already done most of the research to know exactly what I want/need. It also helps filter out stuff I don't really need or care about, since I tend to forget about that junk if I don't impulse buy it. Put junk in your cart but don't buy it until you sleep on it, and 9 times out of 10 you realize you don't really need it or even care about it once the novelty is gone. I end up buying less throwaway crap, and I end up mostly very pleased with the nicer things I do buy.