Do you secretly wish that your TV would break so you can get a brand new one?
Or that your shoes would rip or your hat stolen? These are evil thoughts and may make no sense to the logical person, but they are real, they play a part in our lives, and they affect our decisions in addition to our emotions.
I lost one of my golf clubs the other day at a public place, but it was gone by the time I returned to pick it up. I checked lost and found too but no one turned it in. Yet, a little part of me is celebrating. When every part of my brain is sending signals of frustration, a little devil is cheering the rain of happiness.
I’m extremely happy that I’m fortunate enough to be able to splurge a little without feeling guilty, but it doesn’t mean that I should be totally irresponsible. For those who spend lavishly, there is never going to be enough money. If you sometimes feel like the devil is getting out of hand, adapt from what I plan to do.
- Don’t Replace it Right Away – It’s always been a few days and no one turned it in, so chances are slim to none that it will show up. However, you never know. Not having that club when I play next time will also teach me that losing it is actually bad for me.
- In Fact, Wait Till Christmas – Let’s kill two birds with one stone. I know I will find an excuse to buy something for Christmas. Why not wait till then so I don’t buy something else for myself during the holiday season? It’s really only several weeks away.
In addition, the usual benefits of waiting apply here – possible sale, new versions from manufacturer, and me finding out that I didn’t need it in the first place are all possible scenarios that will make delaying the purchase a good one.
Ahh, I already feel better with my decision to wait.
Is there anything that you wished just broke or disappeared so you could buy one brand new? It’s okay. No one is judging here. Type away!
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have that feeling with my iPod. It’s working fine but the nano is much smaller and nicer. I know it’s just a waste of money to buy the new one but I really want it! I’m glad I’m not alone in thinking like that!!
I thought about the iPod when it first came out, then thought about it again when the nano came out. Now that the nano has video, I thought about it again. I never bought any and I’m glad I haven’t, since I would never use it if I had (I really don’t have any songs to put on the device nor do I have time to listen
)
What are you talking about? My shoes do break on their own (or at least that’s what I tell my husband). That’s why I have to buy more expensive shoes because the quality is better!
I’m pleased to report I never think this… I can’t afford to!
Lee/David, I’m with you! Although I sometimes wish my macbook G4 would die so I have no choice but to buy a new one!
Why guys always want to have a new TV and a new Mac? How about girlfriend?
I think there are certain items that appeal to men while others appeal to women. The stereotypical example for women would be shoes and hand bags. Whichever sex you are in, there’s always something you want to spend money on, so no worries because the ladies are included in this as well!
Personally I think if you can afford it and you’re having those thoughts, just buy the new one. Really. There’s obviously something that irks you with the original model and you use it or it wouldn’t bother you. Frugality doesn’t mean having nothing, it means getting what’s important to you.
On the other hand, my dad once told my mom that she couldn’t get a new car till the doors fell off the van. Mysteriously, guess what almost fell on me getting in to go to school not too long after that conversation. And yes duck tape can fix anything including car doors but we did get a new car.
But still, new car would have been cheaper than new car + duck tape.
You are totally correct in many ways, but I am happy with status quo until “not replacing it” starts bothering me. I can buy a new TV because my non-HDTV is sooo 1980s, I can get new golf clubs because the new ones will help my game (even if it’s a little bit), and I can get a new mattress because I hear old mattresses are dirty etc etc etc…
There are so many things that I could get new and it’ll probably cost $30,000 to replace them all. Do I just go ahead and replace/buy them all when I’m perfectly fine (and happy btw) as is?