We’ve all bought something that seemed like a smart purchase at the time, only to question it a few days later. Maybe the item looked better in the store, the sale price was too tempting to pass up, or the product promised to solve a problem we didn’t really have.
Buyer’s remorse can happen to anyone. Some purchases simply don’t get enough use to justify the money spent, while others turn out to be more trouble than they’re worth. Here are 13 purchases people often regret soon after bringing them home.
Unnecessary Baby Gadgets
New parents see plenty of products promising to make those first few months easier. Wipe warmers, specialty baby food makers, bottle gadgets, and elaborate nursery accessories can sound like must-haves before the baby arrives.
Once the baby is home, some parents discover that the simplest items are the ones they use most. A gadget that seemed brilliant at the store can wind up sitting untouched in a closet after a handful of uses.
Collectibles Bought as Investments
Collecting is a lot more enjoyable when you actually like what you’re buying. Trouble starts when someone purchases collectibles mainly because they expect them to become valuable.
Limited-edition toys, figurines, cards, and other merchandise don’t automatically increase in value. If demand never grows, that supposed investment may spend years taking up space without bringing in the return the buyer expected.
Related: 14 Vintage Toys That Are Now Valuable Collectibles
Cheap Trendy Clothing
A $10 shirt or $20 pair of shoes can seem like an easy bargain, especially if the style is everywhere right now. The problem is that inexpensive trend pieces can have a short lifespan.
Some lose their shape after a few washes, while others fade, tear, or stop looking fashionable before they’ve been worn very many times. Buying several cheap pieces can cost more in the long run than buying a few clothes you’ll actually wear for years.
The Latest Smartphone Upgrade
Getting a brand-new phone can be exciting, especially when a new model has just been released. But the differences between one generation and the next aren’t always noticeable in everyday use.
If your current phone still works well, upgrading may leave you wondering why you spent hundreds of dollars for a slightly better camera or a few new features. The excitement can wear off long before the payments do.
Overpriced Home Décor
That statement mirror, oversized vase, or trendy piece of wall art can look perfect under store lighting. Once it gets home, the reality can be very different.
Some décor pieces don’t work with the rest of the room, take up more space than expected, or simply don’t look as appealing outside the showroom. It’s easy to end up with a closet full of decorations that seemed like a great idea at the time.
Checkout Lane Impulse Buys
Retailers know that shoppers are more likely to make spontaneous purchases while waiting in line. That’s why you’ll find snacks, small electronics, toys, beauty products, and novelty items near many checkout counters.
A few dollars here and there may seem harmless, but those little purchases can quietly add up. A product that caught your attention for 30 seconds may have very little use once you get it home.
Memberships You Rarely Use
Signing up for a gym, subscription box, streaming service, or premium app can feel like a good idea when you’re excited about trying something new.
The regret usually arrives later. A few months of automatic payments can add up, especially if you’ve stopped using the service. Checking recurring charges from time to time can help prevent forgotten memberships from draining your account.
Related: 13 Foods Frugal People Leave Off Their Grocery Lists
Luxury Designer Goods
A designer handbag, watch, pair of shoes, or coat can be a special purchase. For some people, it’s money well spent. For others, the excitement fades once they realize how rarely they use the item.
A high price doesn’t automatically make something a good purchase. If the item spends most of its time sitting in a closet because you’re worried about damaging it, the cost can become harder to justify.
Extended Warranties
Extended warranties can sound reassuring at the checkout counter, particularly for expensive electronics and appliances. The problem is that many buyers never use them.
Some products already come with a manufacturer’s warranty, and certain credit cards or retailers may offer additional coverage. Paying extra for protection you never need can make an already expensive purchase even more costly.
Overspending on Vacations
A vacation can be worth every penny, but spending far beyond your budget can take some of the fun out of it afterward.
Upgrading to a luxury hotel, booking expensive excursions, flying first class, or putting the entire trip on a credit card can feel wonderful while you’re away. The feeling may change when the bills arrive and you’re still paying for the trip months later.
“As Seen on TV” Products
Infomercials have a talent for making ordinary household problems look like emergencies that require a special gadget. The product demonstration makes the solution seem almost too good to pass up.
Sometimes the gadget works. Plenty of times, it ends up in a drawer after the novelty wears off. Buyers may discover that a regular kitchen tool or household item could have done the same job without the extra expense.
Expensive Toys for Kids
Kids can become completely fixated on a toy and then forget about it surprisingly fast. That makes spending hundreds of dollars on the latest must-have toy a risky proposition.
A toy that gets played with every day can be money well spent. The regret comes when an expensive purchase becomes yesterday’s news within a few weeks and ends up buried beneath everything else in the playroom.
Luxury Vehicles Beyond Your Budget
A luxury vehicle can be tempting if you love the styling, technology, comfort, and driving experience. The monthly payment, though, is only part of what you’ll spend.
Insurance, maintenance, repairs, replacement parts, registration, and fuel can all cost more than they would for a less expensive vehicle. A car that looks great in the driveway may feel very different once the ongoing bills start arriving.
A little extra time before making a purchase can prevent a lot of regret later. Waiting a day before an impulse buy, checking how often you’ll realistically use something, and looking at the full cost instead of just the sticker price can make it much easier to separate a purchase you want from one you’ll wish you hadn’t made.
