We tell ourselves that a little splurge here or there will just add a little bit of comfort, or a little bit of style, to our lives. A toy we’ll actually use, a gadget we’ll finally master, or a piece of décor we’ll love every day.
But the reality is life intervenes and the gadget ends up in a drawer we rarely open while the décor collects dust. We don’t get the payoff we expected. The result? Quiet regret.
I asked people in an online poll for such examples and here are twelve small luxury purchases people say they regret buying. As you’ll see, they’re not always the “big things” you might expect.
Gourmet spice kits
One person shared how her gourmet spice set seemed like a great idea at first, to cook meals with that “restaurant style” taste. “But then most of those blends needed exotic recipes or rare ingredients to work with, so cooking became even more exhausting”, she vented.
The spices went stale before they were half empty, and the purchaser discovered that salt, pepper and garlic powder were all she really needed for most of her dishes.
High-end kitchen gadgets
You buy a pasta roller, believing you’ll have homemade noodles every week or an avocado slicer thinking it will give you perfect slices in seconds. But most of these tools get a few uses if they even make it out of the box.
Slowly but surely they end up in the back of a drawer while your regular knives and spoons do all the work. And most people agreed that’s exactly how it goes.
High-end skincare products
Luxury skincare products such as creams, serums and face masks are designed to make your skin look flawless and beautiful. However, if they don’t suit your skin type they go to waste or irritate your skin.
Many female participants shared that some skin care products just don’t work and can sometimes even make things worse, making the money spent on them feel wasted.
Premium coffee machines
Coffee lovers in the poll shared how they bought expensive espresso machines dreaming of home-brewed café-style drinks at their fingertips.
“At first, it’s fun to play around with, but soon the frothing milk becomes hard and you find those settings too confusing. Slowly, you turn back to your old drip machine for your morning cup of coffee,” some of them mentioned.
Fancy gym clothes
We like to believe fresh gym clothes make us want to work out. But some poll participants brought up how those expensive leggings likely just end up in the back of your closet with the tags still on.
After the initial hype, they don’t make you want to work out; they’re just another reminder you didn’t.
Premium bottled water subscriptions
Customers who purchase premium bottled water subscriptions are sold on the benefits of purity, better taste, and convenience. After a period of time, however, many realize that the water isn’t worth the trouble or recurring expense.
Filtered or tap water usually does the trick just fine for regular hydration and honestly, most people in the poll said they did the same.
Designer phone cases
Lots of people admitted that they have overspent on designer phone cases as they thought those cases would bring them sophistication and glamor. However, they soon felt that the shiny surface and glamorous design looked too fragile for everyday use.
“You buy a designer phone case for its looks and brand. But you reach for your trusty old battered one when it comes to everyday use,” one participant commented.
Luxury bedding sets
“You buy high-end sheets thinking you’ll sleep like a king, but the reality is disappointing,” said one female participant. Some fancy fabrics look luxurious but feel weirdly stiff or slippery.
After tossing and turning for a few nights, you learn comfort is not always about high price tags. Suddenly your cheap cotton bed sheet and pillow case set starts looking so much better.
Expensive stationery sets
People also talked about how the simple things can sometimes be the most seductive. The cover of a sleek notebook. The fine, smooth barrel of a fountain pen. You buy them already dreaming of what you will write inside, what your notes will look like, how beautiful they will be.
But then the time comes, and you’re nowhere near ready. It’s a stationary set that you can never use because it’s too nice for everyday work.
Designer sunglasses (that don’t fit right)
“These designer sun glasses look great in the display case and feel like an upgrade to your style when you first try them on. But when you actually wear them something’s just not right,” added one person.
“They slip down your nose or pinch behind your ears and before you know it they’re spending more time in their case than on your face,” said another. Plus, losing a $300 pair is a horrible feeling.
Expensive scented candles
Several people shared that they bought expensive candles hoping to fill their rooms with a long-lasting, luxurious scent. But what actually happens is the scent lasts for a few hours and the scent is just the same as cheaper brands. All of that luxury you envisioned quickly fades, leaving you with a waxy blob and the feeling that you spent too much for aesthetics over pleasure.
Pet accessories for snobs
“You buy an overpriced bed, designer collar, or adorable outfit for your cat or dog. You think they’ll appreciate the upgrade, but Fido has other ideas. The bed stays empty as they choose to sleep on the laundry basket, the collar gets chewed off in a matter of minutes, and that adorable outfit? Pulled to shreds before you can snap a picture,” a pet parent lamented.
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