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30 Times People Bought Expensive Things And Definitely Didn’t Get Their Money’s Worth
Interview With Expert
Some of the best purchases I’ve ever made were my air fryer, blender and handheld vacuum. I use them all multiple times a week (sometimes multiple times a day!), and I’ve certainly gotten my money’s worth from them. But there’s no point in owning any of these items if they’ll simply sit in a cabinet collecting dust.
If you’re a big impulse buyer, you likely know the shame of purchasing the latest workout gear, piece of technology or cooking gadget then realizing a few months later that it hasn’t seen any action. But if you’re guilty of this, you’re not alone. Redditors have recently been sharing the big purchases they’ve made that certainly weren’t worth it, so we’ve gathered some of their regrets below. Enjoy scrolling through these reminders not to buy a smart watch just because your colleague did, and keep reading to find a conversation with Laura Turner, aka Thrifty Londoner!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Drone. Turns out it’s hard to find legal areas to fly it and everyone hates you.
StrangeOne 5 months ago
I live in an airport city. You can't fly them anywhere here, that I know of, so I rarely, ever see them. I do think they have some really good uses and can make some incredible bird's eye videos.
#2
A telescope in a country that's cloudy all the damn time.
james stevenson 5 months ago
Also useless if you live in a city due to light pollution. (Apparently once in new york all the power went out and people saw some strange cloud in the sky, it was a galaxy or a nebula, and they had no idea because light pollution had stopped them from ever seeing it before)
#3
A fitness bike. the plan was to watch tv and ride my bike and get fit.. now I just hang clothes on it :(.
Anna Ekberg 5 months ago
Well tbh this is more about getting yourself together and following through with the plans you made. Getting started is the hardest part and it's not too late to start now.
To gain more insight on this topic from a personal finance expert, we reached out to Laura Turner, also known as Thrifty Londoner. Laura was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss some of the most commonly purchased and later regretted items.
"Trending items endorsed by celebrities or influencers can often be bought in a rush, especially if there is a limited-time-only discount code or promotion on the item," the expert says. "My biggest vice in the past has been expensive skincare. I've bought items that have promised clear skin or anti-aging benefits, only for them to not suit my skin type, and sit virtually unused in the cupboard. I hate to think how much money I have wasted over the years! When I started a very simple routine with minimal products, my skin improved massively."
#4
Eight cemetery plots. I knew the price was going to double and thought it'd be a good investment. But cemetery plots do not sell like hotcakes.
Realistic Optimist 5 months ago (edited)
Homie got scammed 😬. This is like that timeshare bs, but with cemetery plots.
#5
I own a set of crystal wine glasses for special occasions that never seem to happen.
StrangeOne 5 months ago
I have vintage Waterford by Marque wine glasses. I use them all the time. Why not? Makes me feel like a queen in my home.
#6
Bought an expensive watch to celebrate a milestone, but it feels too fancy to wear regularly.
On the other hand, we were curious which big purchases Laura believes are actually worth the investment. "One of the most expensive items that I've bought is a second hand car," she shared. "I've certainly got my money's worth from the car over the last 18 months, and it has saved me so much time overall. It was so worth the investment."
#7
I once got a professional, tournament style pool table. Real slate top, ball return, the works. Cost $6000 in 2000 because my wife was considering playing professionally. Then a year later, she broke both her ankles falling down a flight of stairs. It sat as a heavy, unusable table for the next 16 years. The problem with selling a professional pool table is that nobody who isn't a pool table expert understands that a slate top can't just be "moved." It weighs the same as a small car. This is nothing something you and your two buddies can put on the back of a pickup truck in an hour. It had to be de-felted, the plaster cracked, and then the three pieces of slate have to be moved independently. The base is built like something meant to carry 1300lbs and stay perfectly level, so it was heavy, solid and lag bolted wood.
After 2008, a lot of pool table places went out of business. Nobody would buy it, and I considered paying some person $1000 just to break it up and junk it (he took one look at it, and declined). Then, thankfully, I had a personal assistant spend the better part of a week trying to help me out with this, and she found a collector who DID know how to disassemble one, sent some of his guys to look at it, and he offered me $800 "shocked what good condition it was." I didn't even haggle. I was about to pay somebody $1000 to remove it, so $800 was a blessing. So he sent his men down, and in 3 hours, I had 50% of my rec room back and while "I lost" $5200 plus appreciation (if any), I was so grateful.
#8
The RV, used it once 12 years ago.
StrangeOne 5 months ago
It's one of those things there if you're not an avid camper, rent an RV or rent a cottage.
As far as how we can avoid purchasing big ticket items that we don't need, Laura says there are several ways we can prevent having regrets. "The first is to think about longevity- is the item going to serve a purpose for a long time? One of the ways that you can determine this, is by considering the item in terms of 'cost per use.' If the cost per use is low, and you're likely to use the item frequently and for a long time, it may well be worth the investment," she explained.
#10
Purchased a fancy painting set to explore my artistic side, but it turns out I’m not much of a painter.
clairebear 5 months ago
Buying painting supplies and using painting supplies are two very separate hobbies.
#11
A boat.
Husband has always wanted a boat. I always said no, you won’t use it. Then he got really sick. The doctor thought it was cancer. He started looking at boats again. I didn’t want him to die and the last item on him bucket list was unfulfilled because of his b***h wife. So he bought the boat. He did not have cancer.
Slapdash1 5 months ago (edited)
That b!stard! Hiw dare he not have cancer after all she did for him!
Elchinero 5 months ago
The two happiest days in a boat owner's life: When he buys the boat ... and when he sells it.
Roester 5 months ago
Not always true, bought a boat 8 years ago and have lived on it ever since, it will be a sad day when we need to sell. Our other boat is a runabout and is used 2-3 times a week.
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Pheebs 5 months ago
Boat = Bring Out Another Thousand. We had one, and it was a pain. It was fun to use, but gas was expensive (worse now, 20 years later), winter storage was needed (and costly), and some years we barely go to use it because of weather. Plus you need a vehicle that can actually pull the boat, and does okay at boat launches - believe me, not every vehicle that can tow a boat should be backing down a boat lunch.
Sand Ers 5 months ago
One of the few instances where a suburb dweller might really need a full sized 4WD pickup truck or SUV.
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Michael Largey 5 months ago
Did the doctor get to use the boat some weekends - to acknowledge the profession courtesy?
der sebbl 5 months ago (edited)
Asked on Reddit. Maybe 8 times in the last 4 years
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Rob Williams 5 months ago
Unfair! I had cancer and never got a boat! Been in remission for fifteen years now so can't complain.
MalibuClassicMan 5 months ago
well do yall use the boat?? if yes then be proud he didn't have cancer and enjoy it.
Thee8thsense 5 months ago
Then the boat becomes a celebratory gift for the incredible news that it isn't cancer! Woo-hoo, all aboard, matey!
der sebbl 5 months ago
Asked on Reddit. Maybe 8 times in the last 4 years
Load More Replies... der sebbl 5 months ago
Asked on Reddit. Maybe 8 times in the last 4 years
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der sebbl 5 months ago
Asked on Reddit. Maybe 8 times in the last 4 years
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#12
I have a robotic vacuum that sounded convenient, but it doesn’t work well on my carpets.
Laura also recommends doing thorough research before making big purchases. "To use the skincare example again, research the ingredients to see whether they are compatible with your skin type before purchasing," she noted.
And if you're looking for more personal finance tips, be sure to check out Thrifty Londoner!
#13
In 2020, I convinced my husband to buy me a sewing machine during lockdowns. It’s been in his closet ever since.
iseefractals 5 months ago
My wife had a sewing machine for years that she knew the basics of how to use, but wasn't getting everything out of it that she could have, so she decided to get a job in a garment factory, so she could be paid to learn how to use it. Eight years later, she's used the thing so much it's imploded and now we're looking at a new one.
#14
I got a kayak thinking I’d spend my weekends on the water, but it’s been used maybe twice.
#15
A high-tech blender that now serves as a fancy paperweight in my kitchen.
Hobby Hopper 5 months ago
My fancy blender is worth it's weight in gold. I use it multiple times a day, every day. I've burned up several of them from using them so much, and the company keeps replacing them on warranty.
#16
I tend to get into things and then I obsess over the new “thing”. In the past I’ve spend a lot of money on yarn, for when I learned to crochet. I have spent money on art supplies, for water colour painting. I then bought a very expensive iPad so I could learn to do digital art. Then the last few months it was really expensive products for my hair, including a Dyson hairdryer and curling iron. This past weekend I bought a turntable and some vinyl records because it seems that now I’m fixated on this. I really hate that I am this way, but I can’t seem to make myself stop once I’m obsessed with the newest thing. I wouldn’t say I never use these things, but they aren’t used as much as I imagined.
#17
Oculus 2 VR. Seems to be the same with most people I talk to that you're into it for two months, show it to everyone, then stick it in a drawer and never touch it again. Also I got really bad motion sickness in any of the games you move around in. Which are the most fun games.
iseefractals 5 months ago
I drooled over VR headsets for years, but could never afford them. In 2018, my father died, and i had to go back to the U.S for the first time in 5 years. My best friend was also going through a divorce at the time, and was in the process of selling his house, so he didn't have time or the motivation to come visit...his means of making it up to me was to buy me an Oculus, (they were still $600+ at the time) I've used them twice, and both times i got terrible motion sickness headaches. Amazing tech and it's heartbreaking that i can't use them. Though as far as my buddy knows i continue to use them at least once a week.
#19
Heart defibrillator, but I'll be happy if I never have to use it.
Michal Pifko 5 months ago
This is why you shouldn't change the original question when writing the headline. This is not something he regrets buying.
#21
My truck. Shortly after buying it my job gave me a work truck to drive to and from work. Now my personal truck rarely gets used, which makes me sad.
#22
Paid $1000 for a domain name - never used it.
#23
I spent a lot of money on a high-end basketball hoop cause my wife was thinking about getting back into coaching. We were outside shooting around and hit this nasty crossover, and I broke both her ankles. We haven’t used it since.
Realistic Optimist 5 months ago
Are ankles that easy to break? Second one on this thread alone.
#24
Mouth guard, the fancy one your dentist fits you for and insurance didn't cover.
I lost it 2 months after I got it when I moved and when I found it again, my teeth had shifted and it didn't fit.
#26
Generator.
We were out of power for 10 days after the October storm in 2011. Bought the generator as soon as they were back in stock. Thankfully, haven’t needed it since.
#27
3 mountain bikes.
One for my partner, which he never uses.
One for myself, which ended up being too big and I couldn't return it.
A second one for myself that was a much better fit, which I never use.
Plus accessories and upgrades for all three. I probably spent nearly $5k.
#28
A one year subscription to eharmony for $500. There’s a lower double digits pool of women on the platform in my 100 mile radius and none of them are right for me.
#29
A DJI Mini 2 drone... it was fun for the first 5-6 times and after that, it's just been sitting there.
#30
An upright piano. Have owned it for about 30 years. Haven't really used it since about 2011.
What Is The Most Expensive Thing You Bought That You Never Use?
Anna Ekberg 5 months ago
Alot of these are about buying stuff they still havent used. Unless you are dead then there is still time to use those fancy glasses, play the piano, fly your drone or start your exercise regime today. In the end you tend to regret the things you never even tried.
laura lee 5 months ago
And use those 8 plots, but wait they NEED to be dead to use those 🤭
Load More Replies...
Gavin Johnson 5 months ago
I got heavily into brewing / roasting / grinding coffee, like WAY too heavily, I now have a handsome collection of machines / filters / beans / scales / things that look shiny but are a pain to clean. What do I drink now? Whatever ground coffee is on offer and use an AeroPress to make it, simple to use, easy to clean, makes half decent coffee. Must be ruthless and eBay my collection of dust magnets!
Kristal 5 months ago
An air fryer. It's ridiculously redundant when you already have an oven, which I did. My ex-fiance got it in the break up. Though, for places that don't normally have an oven at home (like Japan or a college dorm) then an air fryer is an amazing product to use.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 5 months ago
I like mine because it doesn't heat the house so badly. With it being almost summer, that's a consideration.
Load More Replies...
DadManBlues 5 months ago
I used to have high-end speakers from Bowers and Wilkins. I likd it so much but sold them last month because in the last 10 years I lost 70% of my hearing (nothing to do, it's in my genetics). Now I have high-end hearing aids ($2k+) but they are c**p in reproducing music. I miss the details of music a lot.
Charlotte Sandoval 5 months ago
Fish tanks lol wanted one, to try it out, and now have 4. I love them, but they're expensive and a lot of work to maintain. Plus, I got put on mood stabilizers right after and realized my mistake lol oops at least they're pretty
Rahul Pawa 5 months ago
Mine was a doorbell camera. Got it mostly for security while I went on vacation. It was ok for that, but has only been an irritation ever since. Turns out I don't need my phone to ring and see the person when my doorbell rings.
Rachel Pelz 5 months ago
If that can't be turned of, it must indeed be irritating.
Load More Replies... brittany 5 months ago
i dont know if this counts but, our house. we found out after signing, that the inspection guy missed some key things like the entire front wall slowly bowing inwards because there is nothing between the drywall and the outside paneling. the wood in between has completely rotted away, the window is sinking and NONE of the doors are measured right. little tyhings your eyes dont pick up on until they do and then you cant unsee it. i already hated the house because i hate basements, but we were in a bind and needed a house quickly. i swear no more basements. i cant do it
Rodney McKay 5 months ago
This article missed the most wasteful, most regrettable "purchase" of all, which is having kids. Fortunately, I missed it too.
Dekker451 5 months ago
A whole lot of people who have apparently never heard of eBay, craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Rodney McKay 5 months ago
And a whole lot of other people wish they hadn't.
Load More Replies... 
Rick Seiden 5 months ago
A Saturn SC2 I paid cash for with an inheritance. Only new car I've ever owned. I should have saved it for a house down payment. My wife was just my girlfriend then and couldn't do any more than say I shouldn't do it. I ended up trading it in for a wood panelled minivan about 6 or 7 years later when we had our first child.
RiceRiceBaby 929 5 months ago
A trampoline. Anymore with anything I buy, I ask myself, do I need it? Do I have a use for it? Not saying impulse buys don't happen once in a while 😁
Hannah 5 months ago
Decided to do something nice for myself and splurge a little for the first time in forever. Bought myself a really nice gaming computer. Two days later a massive storm hit and I don't know exactly what the lighting hit, but our power went out and it zap fried my computer. Wouldn't turn on again. Couldn't afford to have it fixed and I'd skipped out on the warrantee because I had already spent more than I thought was probably wise... Luckily for me it was a short enough time span they let me trade it out anyways, calling it damaged on arrival. They were very kind about it
Rodney McKay 5 months ago
A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a very, very wise investment to go with any expensive electronics. Besides keeping stuff running during power failures (important for computers, which can lose data if switched off abruptly), it is also an extremely effective surge protector (totally unlike "surge protector" power strips, which are a scam). You can get a very good UPS at Costco (for example) at a comfortable price, and this will definitely be on the list of purchases that you 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 regret.
Load More Replies... Anna Ekberg 5 months ago
Alot of these are about buying stuff they still havent used. Unless you are dead then there is still time to use those fancy glasses, play the piano, fly your drone or start your exercise regime today. In the end you tend to regret the things you never even tried.
laura lee 5 months ago
And use those 8 plots, but wait they NEED to be dead to use those 🤭
Load More Replies... Gavin Johnson 5 months ago
I got heavily into brewing / roasting / grinding coffee, like WAY too heavily, I now have a handsome collection of machines / filters / beans / scales / things that look shiny but are a pain to clean. What do I drink now? Whatever ground coffee is on offer and use an AeroPress to make it, simple to use, easy to clean, makes half decent coffee. Must be ruthless and eBay my collection of dust magnets!
Kristal 5 months ago
An air fryer. It's ridiculously redundant when you already have an oven, which I did. My ex-fiance got it in the break up. Though, for places that don't normally have an oven at home (like Japan or a college dorm) then an air fryer is an amazing product to use.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 5 months ago
I like mine because it doesn't heat the house so badly. With it being almost summer, that's a consideration.
Load More Replies... DadManBlues 5 months ago
I used to have high-end speakers from Bowers and Wilkins. I likd it so much but sold them last month because in the last 10 years I lost 70% of my hearing (nothing to do, it's in my genetics). Now I have high-end hearing aids ($2k+) but they are c**p in reproducing music. I miss the details of music a lot.
Charlotte Sandoval 5 months ago
Fish tanks lol wanted one, to try it out, and now have 4. I love them, but they're expensive and a lot of work to maintain. Plus, I got put on mood stabilizers right after and realized my mistake lol oops at least they're pretty
Rahul Pawa 5 months ago
Mine was a doorbell camera. Got it mostly for security while I went on vacation. It was ok for that, but has only been an irritation ever since. Turns out I don't need my phone to ring and see the person when my doorbell rings.
Rachel Pelz 5 months ago
If that can't be turned of, it must indeed be irritating.
Load More Replies... brittany 5 months ago
i dont know if this counts but, our house. we found out after signing, that the inspection guy missed some key things like the entire front wall slowly bowing inwards because there is nothing between the drywall and the outside paneling. the wood in between has completely rotted away, the window is sinking and NONE of the doors are measured right. little tyhings your eyes dont pick up on until they do and then you cant unsee it. i already hated the house because i hate basements, but we were in a bind and needed a house quickly. i swear no more basements. i cant do it
Rodney McKay 5 months ago
This article missed the most wasteful, most regrettable "purchase" of all, which is having kids. Fortunately, I missed it too.
Dekker451 5 months ago
A whole lot of people who have apparently never heard of eBay, craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Rodney McKay 5 months ago
And a whole lot of other people wish they hadn't.
Load More Replies... Rick Seiden 5 months ago
A Saturn SC2 I paid cash for with an inheritance. Only new car I've ever owned. I should have saved it for a house down payment. My wife was just my girlfriend then and couldn't do any more than say I shouldn't do it. I ended up trading it in for a wood panelled minivan about 6 or 7 years later when we had our first child.
RiceRiceBaby 929 5 months ago
A trampoline. Anymore with anything I buy, I ask myself, do I need it? Do I have a use for it? Not saying impulse buys don't happen once in a while 😁
Hannah 5 months ago
Decided to do something nice for myself and splurge a little for the first time in forever. Bought myself a really nice gaming computer. Two days later a massive storm hit and I don't know exactly what the lighting hit, but our power went out and it zap fried my computer. Wouldn't turn on again. Couldn't afford to have it fixed and I'd skipped out on the warrantee because I had already spent more than I thought was probably wise... Luckily for me it was a short enough time span they let me trade it out anyways, calling it damaged on arrival. They were very kind about it
Rodney McKay 5 months ago
A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a very, very wise investment to go with any expensive electronics. Besides keeping stuff running during power failures (important for computers, which can lose data if switched off abruptly), it is also an extremely effective surge protector (totally unlike "surge protector" power strips, which are a scam). You can get a very good UPS at Costco (for example) at a comfortable price, and this will definitely be on the list of purchases that you 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 regret.
Load More Replies... You May Like 30 Realistic Ways For An Average Person To Become Rich That Are Often Overlooked "Last Laugh": Construction Worker Has A Mean Surprise For Employer Who Refused To Pay Him 45 Times Rich People Were Completely Blind To Their Privilege
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