Buying stuff: learn from mistakes or getting in right
Discussion
I generally carefully think through even small purchases, unless car related and then it seems I am more than willing to throw money at it!
Can't remember the last time I bought clothes for myself, generally it seems that when looked after, clothing lasts well. Ditto trainers, my running trainers have lasted for years and are still fine, despite regular use.
However, despite this relative frugality and a decent income, I never seem to have much of the stuff lying around spare haha
Can't remember the last time I bought clothes for myself, generally it seems that when looked after, clothing lasts well. Ditto trainers, my running trainers have lasted for years and are still fine, despite regular use.
However, despite this relative frugality and a decent income, I never seem to have much of the stuff lying around spare haha
After the last roughly 20yrs, I'm on mobile #5 and PC #2. Would have spent less than a grand on that lot.
I am very happy with what I have.
I work two days a week, if that.
Contrast that with the people that were spunking hundreds on the new iPhone only to send them back as they preferred (and were happy with) the model that they already had. Probably the sort of people that work 60hrs a week with an extra 10hrs commute just so they can afford to die in a really spacious building.
Not saying my lifestyle is for everyone, but when it comes to shopping a lot of people confuse things that they actually want for themselves with the oxymorons that are status symbols.
I am very happy with what I have.
I work two days a week, if that.
Contrast that with the people that were spunking hundreds on the new iPhone only to send them back as they preferred (and were happy with) the model that they already had. Probably the sort of people that work 60hrs a week with an extra 10hrs commute just so they can afford to die in a really spacious building.
Not saying my lifestyle is for everyone, but when it comes to shopping a lot of people confuse things that they actually want for themselves with the oxymorons that are status symbols.
MikeM6 said:
I generally carefully think through even small purchases, unless car related and then it seems I am more than willing to throw money at it!
Can't remember the last time I bought clothes for myself, generally it seems that when looked after, clothing lasts well. Ditto trainers, my running trainers have lasted for years and are still fine, despite regular use.
However, despite this relative frugality and a decent income, I never seem to have much of the stuff lying around spare haha
I get socks and pants for Xmas so that replenishes the supplies for a year and throw out the oldest most knackered ones. Other than thst I had gone years without any new cloths. Then I somehow tricked a girl into liking me and ended up with a girlfriend. Looked at my wardrobe of T shirts that still fit from when I was 17 and did a little upgrade as I really had nothing for that nice reasonable chap look. You know in between T shirt/jeans and shirt/ trousers level. Can't remember the last time I bought clothes for myself, generally it seems that when looked after, clothing lasts well. Ditto trainers, my running trainers have lasted for years and are still fine, despite regular use.
However, despite this relative frugality and a decent income, I never seem to have much of the stuff lying around spare haha
So just a few smartish long sleeves tops from Tesco. That's it.
Bacon Is Proof said:
After the last roughly 20yrs, I'm on mobile #5 and PC #2. Would have spent less than a grand on that lot.
I am very happy with what I have.
I work two days a week, if that.
Contrast that with the people that were spunking hundreds on the new iPhone only to send them back as they preferred (and were happy with) the model that they already had. Probably the sort of people that work 60hrs a week with an extra 10hrs commute just so they can afford to die in a really spacious building.
Not saying my lifestyle is for everyone, but when it comes to shopping a lot of people confuse things that they actually want for themselves with the oxymorons that are status symbols.
I actually really admire people like you even if I wouldn't choose to live that way. I do tend to buy nice things, however, I would disagree I do it for status. I just really like what I buy, which is probably why it takes me so long to spend money. I love cars and gadgets so I tend to spend my money on those things, and while I do have a flagship phone (not an iPhone I might add) I definitely couldn't give two hoots whether people notice it or have an opinion on it one way or another.I am very happy with what I have.
I work two days a week, if that.
Contrast that with the people that were spunking hundreds on the new iPhone only to send them back as they preferred (and were happy with) the model that they already had. Probably the sort of people that work 60hrs a week with an extra 10hrs commute just so they can afford to die in a really spacious building.
Not saying my lifestyle is for everyone, but when it comes to shopping a lot of people confuse things that they actually want for themselves with the oxymorons that are status symbols.
I work 37.5 hours a week with no commuting, but would entertain the idea of working less, and live in a relatively small but nice house, and my car is 15 years old and is certainly no garage queen
I think as we get older, the need to buy the latest style of clothes / trainers probably diminishes. I'm a simple guy, my wardrobe consists of jeans, T shirts, 3 "going out" shirts and a suit. Shoes wise, a pair of Timberlands, 2 pairs of trainers and a pair of brogues.
I'll only buy stuff I need, like a few of us I expect, but I'm an easy touch for tools, probably got 5 size 13 spanners too many, far too many sockets and other stuff only used once - maybe my only "vice" .
Having teenage girls does kind of open your eyes to how much stuff people buy whether they need it or not. There's stuff in their wardrobes that still has the tag on it from a year ago.
I'll only buy stuff I need, like a few of us I expect, but I'm an easy touch for tools, probably got 5 size 13 spanners too many, far too many sockets and other stuff only used once - maybe my only "vice" .
Having teenage girls does kind of open your eyes to how much stuff people buy whether they need it or not. There's stuff in their wardrobes that still has the tag on it from a year ago.
I tend to only buy clothes when I need them not really fussed about fashions. My wardrobe consists of jeans, t-shirt and hoodys. If I'm comfortable im happy.
I have to buy formal shirts and trousers for work, im trying to avoid wearing suits as they are a false economy in the main and im wearing Chinos to the office and no one had raised an eyebrow so far.
I did accumulate a silly amount of coats for some reason and after the wife complained I sold most on ebay, im down to three now.
I am trying to buy quality items that will last now rather than buying cheap as possible. See how that goes.
I have to buy formal shirts and trousers for work, im trying to avoid wearing suits as they are a false economy in the main and im wearing Chinos to the office and no one had raised an eyebrow so far.
I did accumulate a silly amount of coats for some reason and after the wife complained I sold most on ebay, im down to three now.
I am trying to buy quality items that will last now rather than buying cheap as possible. See how that goes.
I'm not against nice things, if you actually want them and will enjoy them.
I own some artwork that never gets seen by anyone else, and I have a smoking jacket that is over 100yrs old (from Selfridge's Man's Shop) that is worth, what is for me, a silly amount of money for an item of loungewear. I also love large capacity V8s, for their sound and peeling out elevens.
Contrast that with, for example, your peer persuaded teenage girl. Ask her what car she wants Daddy to buy her and it will be either a BMW "mini" or a Fiat 500, almost every single time.
I own some artwork that never gets seen by anyone else, and I have a smoking jacket that is over 100yrs old (from Selfridge's Man's Shop) that is worth, what is for me, a silly amount of money for an item of loungewear. I also love large capacity V8s, for their sound and peeling out elevens.
Contrast that with, for example, your peer persuaded teenage girl. Ask her what car she wants Daddy to buy her and it will be either a BMW "mini" or a Fiat 500, almost every single time.
RMDB9 said:
Do you think leasing a car is somehow better than buying it outright? What about an investment like a Rolex Submariner? Credit or cash?
Last thing I rented was a washing machine. I'd rather own my own things than use someone else's so can't really comment, but as someone with Red Sea Pedestrian heritage, I would suggest that there are better things to invest in than jewellery. I'd also argue that there are better things to do than invest, but that's a different matter. Evoluzione said:
I'm also a big researcher, especially if it's something expensive which will be with me for a long time.
I also like to buy things which are over specified.
Don't buy a one ton jack, buy a three ton jack, then if it's not straining it's b
ks off it'll last for longer.
There's no such thing as underkillI also like to buy things which are over specified.
Don't buy a one ton jack, buy a three ton jack, then if it's not straining it's b
ks off it'll last for longer.RMDB9 said:
DO you think leasing a car is somehow better than buying it outright? What about an investment like a Rolex Submeriner? Credit or cash?
A Rolex is not an investment. The Explorer 2 I bought twenty odd years ago is probably worth what I paid for it - but that is before taking inflation into account. After adjusting for the value of money it has dropped considerably. Leaving the cash in a savings account would have given a better return. At the time I bought it to wear not as an investment. I did get a lot of use out of it but seem to have stopped wearing watches.In the last few years my purchasing habits have changed massively and now I rarely buy anything - except for food and consumption items. Previously I was spending loads on cars,
furniture, designer clothes, watches, original art. The usual lifestyle st.
When we first moved to NZ I spent three months by myself with one bed and the clothes I had brought with me in two suitcases. I was surprised how easy - and in some ways refreshing - it was to live with virtually no possessions.
furniture, designer clothes, watches, original art. The usual lifestyle s
t. When we first moved to NZ I spent three months by myself with one bed and the clothes I had brought with me in two suitcases. I was surprised how easy - and in some ways refreshing - it was to live with virtually no possessions.
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