Decisions that are reckless and short-sighted often appear daring and savvy to the person making them. The rest of the world is left watching in horror as things quickly unravel in slow motion. We talked to people about the most regrettable decisions they’d witnessed their friends, coworkers, and family members make and compiled a list. So here are 11 decisions that seemed “smart” at the time but almost always led to regret.
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Buying a luxury car with a huge loan to “look successful”
We heard repeatedly about people taking on huge loans for luxury vehicles to impress friends and family. Teslas and BMWs were frequent examples. In most cases, they just couldn’t afford the monthly payments. They ended up neglecting all their other bills.
Moving to a new city for someone they barely know
Some people move entire continents to be with someone they had only been dating for a matter of weeks or months. Often, relationships fizzle out quickly, leaving them stuck in a strange city with no support system.
Pouring savings into a pyramid scheme disguised as a business
A few people told us they or someone they know invested all their money into a new “business opportunity.” These people were told they were becoming entrepreneurs. In reality, they just lost thousands of dollars enriching someone who was one step up the pyramid.
Quitting school or college because they “already know enough”
We heard about people quitting programs just a few months away from graduation because a job offer or startup idea made them think they didn’t need formal education. When their plan fell through, they wished they had finished their degree.
Refusing medical treatment in favor of a viral health hack
There were multiple stories of people with real, diagnosed medical conditions like diabetes or hypertension refusing to take medication to try some pseudo-science “natural cure” they read about online. Their health visibly deteriorated, but they were still convinced they were making the smarter choice.
Blowing a tax refund or bonus on a vacation instead of bills
A few people blew big checks or surprise sums of money on luxury trips or wild parties instead of overdue bills or essentials they had been neglecting. They returned home to mounting late notices and much regret.
Trusting a brand-new “business partner” with full access to finances
We heard about several cases of people getting into relationships with new friends where one person immediately got full access to the other’s bank accounts or started requesting large cash withdrawals. Most of these partnerships ended in betrayal or fraud.
Publicly sharing private family drama on social media
Posting one’s personal family problems on Twitter or Facebook to “raise awareness” or “seek support” is a fool’s errand. We heard from several people who had done it and had it blow up in their faces. Worst of all, it’s almost impossible to take those things back once they’re out in the world.
Quitting a steady job because they went viral once
Several people said they’ve seen friends and family members quitting dependable jobs after one viral TikTok or Instagram post. They thought they were well on their way to becoming full-time influencers or actors, but the views and attention quickly dried up. Next month, they were panicking over how to pay rent.
Taking on a mortgage way beyond their budget
A few people purchased houses at the absolute top of what they could afford, or even stretched to bid more in order to beat other interested parties. When interest rates increased or unforeseen expenses arose, they were forced to sell at a massive loss.
Ignoring early warning signs in a relationship
A lot of people we talked to had seen friends rush into a marriage with someone with clear warning signs, like constant fighting or a controlling nature. Most people recklessly imagine that love could “fix everything”. But most of the time, that decision would lead to messy divorces and years of unhappiness.
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