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Stressing about a large purchase

Howlingvapor

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I just bought a Nintendo switch lite for $200, this is the most money I’ve spent on something recreational in over 4 years. Now for context I’m usually broke, but I did the math and I have more than enough money to afford this and still pay all my expenses I got a ton of hours from work some time ago and even after putting half that paycheck in savings I still had about twice what I normally have in the bank now for me that’s not saying much, but still.

I know it was a stupidly unnecessary purchase I shouldn’t have made, but it’s not often I can afford to treat myself like this and trust me I feel insanely guilty over it. I’ve been thinking about buying this thing for weeks and no matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t get it out of my head especially when I realized that I could actually afford it. That’s really the thing I guess, I can absolutely afford this thing I’ve wanted for a long time, but I still feel insanely guilty for buying it. I have more than enough money left to last till the next paycheck, plus I have a lot of money in savings if something happens like a speeding ticket or my car breaking down. So financially speaking it’s not like I spent my last dime on this thing, but something about that much money leaving my bank account still hurts.

Now I’m stressing out like crazy over whether they’ll get the address wrong or if someone will steal from my doorstep before I even get to it. I’m stressing about my parents scolding me for buying something so expensive and unnecessary. I’m just so worried that this is somehow going to end up being an expensive mistake. I’ve wanted one of these for a long time and I just hope I don’t end up with buyer’s remorse.


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FinneousRex

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The beauty of it, you can usually return something within 30 days for most reasons. If you can’t, you can sell it on eBay or Craigslist. Or sell it to a friend. Gaming systems are highly desirable. I know this sounds like a big thing now, but I promise you it won’t be. I remember being young and having fear of stuff like this and guilt about it. I still to this day have the same issue. But I restrained myself and now I love buying stuff, definitely one of my vices. If I want to have a good weekend, I’ll go out and blow like $200-$300 on **** that I want and sometimes need.
What’s also great is that as long as you’re working, you’ll make the money back. It’s not like you put it on a credit card, you used your hard earned money for it. Everyone deserves to treat themselves once in a while. We live in a society where we “live to work” when really we should be “working to live” and living means to take care of your responsibilities, as well as giving yourself some happiness. Trust me. $200 is nothing. As you get older $200 is like $20 as an adult. Nothing is cheap. It will all blow over. You’ll have a nice gaming system. Your parents may be mad or they may be proud of you for actually saving and buying this for yourself. If they start to get upset, say how you didn’t have to ask them like all your friends did and explain your handle on your finances to them. Clearly you see the importance of money and bills and if they are reasonable at all they will see that too. Some parents are unreasonable. Like mine. So it’s hard to tell yourself that you did the right thing when you have parental figures telling you you did the wrong thing. Again, that’s something I’m still a mess for in my 20s because of my parents. But just know in your heart you worked hard, you planned and maintained your responsibilities and you deserve to treat yourself every once in a while.
 

Hurt&Hopeful

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I'm in my 40's and I still do this. :) It kind of goes with the territory with anxiety - you second guess everything you do and every decision you make. I do it with large purchases, major life changes (my wedding, my child, a move, etc.) - What helps me is just trying to stay in the present moment. If you already bought it, it's past. (Yes, you can can return it, but deep down you probably don't want to). Try not to think about that past decision, or what may be coming in the future - stay in today and enjoy your new toy. :) It's harder than it sounds, I know.
 

bin_tenn

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There is nothing wrong with treating yourself to something you like.
Next week Resident Evil 3 is coming out
The wife gave me the ok!
I'll be playing that
Indeed, nothing at all wrong with treating yourself. I often suffer buyer's remorse myself, despite money not being an issue. I find it difficult to spend $30 on a pair of jeans for myself. But when it comes to spending on other people it doesn't bother me a bit. Haha.
 

FinneousRex

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Indeed, nothing at all wrong with treating yourself. I often suffer buyer's remorse myself, despite money not being an issue. I find it difficult to spend $30 on a pair of jeans for myself. But when it comes to spending on other people it doesn't bother me a bit. Haha.
Christmas is a sport to me. I spend money like a crazy person haha
 

Howlingvapor

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Thanks guys I feel a whole lot better about this. Turns out my friend has actually been thinking about getting one too so I feel a lot better knowing that sometime in the future, my best friend might have the same console. I feel excited now rather than worried. I’ve been working hard recently and I deserve this. Work’s been giving me some decent sized paychecks for once and I’m expecting a hundred dollars in the mail from tax returns so honestly I think I’ll earn the money back in no time. The silver lining to having to order it is by the time I get it I’ll have been paid so maybe when it gets here I’ll buy a game for it too. I wanted to buy it in the store originally, but with covid-19 GameStop is closed and target’s completely cleaned out because of the new animal crossing release lol

Anyways thank you all for helping me feel a lot better about this!


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bin_tenn

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Christmas is a sport to me. I spend money like a crazy person haha
Haha! That's my fiancee, too! I don't mind it if I'm spending on her or the kids or other family. But if it's for myself, no way. :p
 

Guitarist41

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Seriously, you’ve got to have certain things for yourself. You have your own money, you can afford it. What’s the big deal? Obviously, you have OCD thoughts about it, but that’s anxiety, and very typical. I would keep reminding myself that it’s your life, you have to make your own decisions, and sometimes mistakes, but you learn from each experience. There’s no reason to feel any soft of guilt over this! Just enjoy yourself and life during these difficult times.
 

stevet

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4 years is a long time to have been disciplined. Just enjoy it!


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Howlingvapor

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4 years is a long time to have been disciplined. Just enjoy it!


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Thanks I never actually thought of it that way, I basically haven’t made a big purchase like this since I bought a PS4 sophomore year in high school. The most money I’ve ever spent on myself since then have been some vape mods, but even those I rarely spent more than $100 on. I guess it’s been more like 6 years.


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stevet

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Keep up the good work. You should be proud of yourself.


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