Have you ever bought something and started feeling buyer's remorse sometime later? Or maybe you purchased something for a new hobby that you forgot about a week later, rendering that purchase completely useless?
A 2019 survey by Ladder and OnePoll revealed that an average American spends $1,497 per month on non-essential items, so you probably have. The researchers also found that people make approximately five impulse purchases a month.
All this data might make it seem that we're an extremely consumerist culture. But maybe it isn't always like that? Curious to know stories about people's most regrettable purchases, one person asked online: "What is the worst purchase you've ever made?"
Bored Panda had a conversation with the person who started this thread, user u/lilsparrow18. They kindly agreed to tell us more about their worst-ever purchase and what they think about consumerism and the oversaturation of things.
#1
Image credits: smuffleupagus
u/lilsparrow18 tells us that their thread was inspired by a bad purchase they made. "For me, it wasn't so much of a terrible purchase as it was bad timing. I bought a car when I didn't have my license yet, and due to different circumstances, I didn't have much opportunity to drive it for a while, and then, the petrol that was left in it went bad, and it created a bunch of problems."
The Redditor then put the whole ordeal somewhere in the back of their mind. "I believe everyone has what I'd like to refer to as a mental 'vault,' where all the things you really don't want to think about or pretend don't exist go. That whole car situation is in my vault because I may as well have burned the money, and for some reason, that day, the vault started to come ajar."
#2
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#3
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The netizen tells Bored Panda that they experienced a lot of distress and cringe due to that unlucky car purchase. "I felt I needed to make a post, even though I didn't share my own story," they explained. "I thought it may be a topic most people would be able to relate to at one point or another, and seeing other people's mishaps, while not pleasant for them, can be somewhat cathartic when you have an experience of your own."
"But bad spends are just one thing that can go in the vault – anything can go in the vault if it's something you need to deny the existence of to feel better," the Redditor explains their theory.
#4
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#5
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#6
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We chatted with u/lilsparrow18 about how buying an excessive amount of stuff is becoming more and more normalized. They say they don't really feel affected by it, perhaps only when socializing. "Consumer culture maybe only impacts me in the sense that when I'm out with other people, I do tend to enjoy buying things more, and it is strangely part of the social experience."
"But I'm also autistic," the Redditor opens up. "So there are social challenges involved in that – like how many people rely on alcohol to socialize, I find it's easier to socialize when in a stimulating environment, such as a shopping center where there are many things to look at and purchase, to fill the silence and act as a crutch of sorts. That being said, I still don't tend to do this too much, even though I do enjoy it."
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#8
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#9
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u/lilsparrow18 is an Aussie, and they say that consumer culture is perhaps more of a problem in the United States. "While it's definitely prevalent [everywhere], I think it's known to be more culturally relevant to the US than here in Australia."
"People from the US have a strong presence in media, including places like TikTok, and I think a lot of people would associate consumer culture with the US primarily. For me, other than maybe going out with some friends to go out shopping once in a blue moon, I don't think it's very relevant to me."
#10
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#11
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#12
Infomercial at 2am. Brand new credit card at age 18. Ended up ordering 200+ pocketknives, two sets of samurai swords, and a large fantasy sword for a very persuasive salesman from that commercial.
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The Redditor tells us they're not easily influenced by what they see on social or any other media. "What people put online or what may be popular at the time doesn't really have an impact on my purchasing habits, and I tend to only buy what I want to or I feel is actually necessary, regardless of anyone else."
"I know as far as advertisements go, they don't seem to influence Gen Z as much as some other generations, and the autism, as I mentioned earlier, may make me especially disconnected from this sort of culture."
#13
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#14
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#15
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For those who want to become more savvy consumers, u/lilsparrow18 advises people to do research. "I know anything regarding money is easier said than done because it takes time to change habits, but I think the most important thing is research. Whether it's researching whether you can get the same product on special, or if it's a larger purchase, researching the quality of the product or getting second opinions."
#16
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#18
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"Also keeping any receipts on larger items and being aware of any possible warranties can save people a lot of money," the Redditor adds. "And if someone is particularly prone to impulse buying, it may be worth reflecting on why that is and if it's worth investigating by seeing a mental health professional as well."
#19
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#30
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