this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2023
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Over my life, I've noticed that my expenses for living fall into one of three buckets:

  1. Exciting buys
  2. Wise purchases
  3. Necessary costs

But I'm mostly curious about that first one...

What is your favorite kind of exciting buy?

My exciting buy might be a new musical instrument even though I have plenty, a new video game, purchasing art, a vacation, a luxurious meal, etc.

And less on the fun side of things, my other categories would shake out like:

  • A wise buy might be investing in a house or business, putting money away for savings, or spending a premium on a BuyItForLife kind of purchase to avoid buying a new one every year.
  • A necessary buy is probably the same as most others: housing costs, utilities, clothing, household goods, food, transportation, etc.
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[–] MiddleWeigh 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Yea it's definitely guitar pedals, microphones, cymbals etc.

I don't really buy anything else but necessities anymore. I would include wise purchases into that category. Hell I don't really buy music stuff too often either. I finally have more than what I need, after struggling for a long time, but through it, I've found I never needed it to begin with. Plus I'm not having children.

I am not the best consumer. Your ad targeting is lost on me! You hear that? Yea that's right. πŸ–•

[–] smolgumball 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I feel you. I have written browser automation scripts to press "I am not interested in this ad" buttons for me it gets so bad πŸ’€

[–] MiddleWeigh 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's awesome. I literally do not know how to do any of that.

Sometimes I think my own consumer tendencies kinda does the job tho. Like it doesn't know what to recommend, so it gives me the same shit I've already bought. Like literally the same guitar over and over again lmao.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You probably look stuff up related to that guitar, so the algorithm is like, "I bet I can sell this guitar! There's clearly interest here!"

[–] MiddleWeigh 1 points 1 year ago

I literally bought that guitar a year ago lmao

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Being able to recognize Enough is a tough skill to develop!

[–] MiddleWeigh 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ngl, I'm "jaded". I been through the shit, but found peace. It does take practice, or trauma, or some type of moment. We fall into our lesser nature instead of our better. It's easy to do, and I fell really hard, all the way. Hated myself for it. But I'm all good now.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I'm glad you're doing better!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Thrifting. I’m always finding really cool stuff I can either use or resell for a profit

[–] kabukimeow 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It used to be doujinshi (Japanese self-publication comics), now it's clothes and accessories. (Decided to change my style to a more goth/emo type and had to renew like half of my closet.)

[–] smolgumball 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yooo nice. Speaking of which have you found any good fashion / fit sharing communities on lemmy/kbin/masto? Most of what I find is just "look at this celeb wearing Dior" and I am fr yawning

[–] kabukimeow 2 points 1 year ago

I haven't, actually didn't even cross my mind something like that could exist :o

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Seems silly now that I think about it but I guess I get most excited about buying sweets and snacks... Just can't beat the taste of some nice chocolate.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Steam Party Games, Cat and dog treats, house repairs, and weed baby. Just upgraded my electrical so I can power my new gaming PC w/ a dedicated circuit.

[–] smolgumball 1 points 1 year ago

new gaming PC w/ a dedicated circuit

This is wild, haven't heard of doing this. What are the benefits??

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

My whims are as shifting as the winds, so whatever I'm obsessed with at the time. Mountain bikes? Hell yes! Photography equipment? Sign me up! New telescope? I'd love one! New fragr6indont need? Yup!

The list is never ending unfortunately

I buy lots of

[–] buycurious 3 points 1 year ago

I’ve learned that I’m much more likely to splurge on food (like more expensive brands or new products) than on other things.

I’m not much of a spender overall but subscribe to the mantra of β€œif it separates you between the earth, it’s worth spending a little more (like shoes, tires, mattresses, etc.).

[–] ShlorpianMafia 3 points 1 year ago

Lately clothes and shoes. But I do love a nice gadget or tool

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Steam games

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
  • Server equipment (new toys!)
  • Disney trips (fun experiences!)
  • Incredible meals (yummy experiences!)
[–] LUHG_HANI 2 points 1 year ago

I specifically like buying work related IT equipment. I tent to have a buying habit but now that buzz is a work cost. Where's your favourite meal money been spent.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

By dollar amount this year, it would seem to be home repairs, medical care and entertaining.

[–] galaxi 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Most of my purchases cover the first two. I used to spend lots and lots of time researching products that were the best I could get for the price. Usually with lifestyle goals - camping, traveling, tinkering. Things for my apartment to make it cozier. The best rope basket, the best rain jacket. The best onebag bag. The best travel sized everything. SFFPC parts. It honestly was actually out of hand. I was completely doing it to escape the stress of my job and life, spending hours looking at keycaps or pens or blankets. I have really particular taste but I've cut down spending a lot by just completely stopping my research and prioritizing paying off my credit cards.

So if anyone relates and needs help doing this.. pm me, you have my support! Lol. It was a likely shopping addiction. I love having a high quality thing to make my life simpler and getting it at a great price. Just have to remember that if you feel like you can't go without it, you probably can. The most valuable things to me now are the ones I intentionally save up for. :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Nowadays it's stationery, notebooks and house plants. Gotta green up my home 🏑 😌 And yes I have more notebooks and stickers than I know what to do with....

[–] ComradeMiao 2 points 1 year ago

The last exciting purchases I have made have been some video games (I never buy any anymore), special food for my wife like Korean or her hometown food, bought my wife a bike, vacation stuff is fun like taking a sudden Saturday trip to the beach, buying a fun drink, buying a month of a vpn to torrent more.

I would like to think continuing to invest in 401ks and IRA is my most wise purchases.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I like to buy better weed everytime for resell and self-consume.

[–] MrsDoyle 2 points 1 year ago

My exciting buy is all three really. I've ordered a new bee suit, went for decent quality this time so it's quite expensive. I've been wearing a second hand smock with a darned veil (from when I leaned over the smoker while lighting it and melted a hole), and the bees have taken to attacking my jeans-clad legs. Time to get sensible!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I tend to spend way too much on electronics. Constant PC upgrades, new disks for my NAS, better monitors, etc. I do at least allocate a monthly budget for this, but go over it sometimes...

Food delivery is another high category for me, and I've been trying to cut back, but it's soooooo convenient.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I bought a house 6 months ago and now I'm spending my money on little QoL changes to make it feel like its mine.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago
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