This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
You’re causing your pockets financial pain
Recently, when I went to return an item, the lady behind the counter asked me if there was anything wrong with it. I responded, ” No, ” and I was bringing it back because it was just sitting in my garage.
That item was worth $100 and could’ve been working 24/7 for me in an investment account.
I was sitting on the item for weeks, wondering if I would use it. But time kept passing by, and the item kept standing still. Finally, I took it back.
I’ve been returning stuff a lot more lately, which has made me think twice about my purchases. How can I decrease my purchase returns, buy less, and buy more thoughtfully?
We got to be careful about the items we buy. Often, we buy a bunch of stuff that just sits in our houses. Why do we do this, though? When we do this, we devalue our money and allow ourselves to become victims of mindless materialism.
Before you buy something, wait 24 hours. Then, wait another 24 hours.
Then, wait another five days, so you end up waiting for a week before making the purchase. The longer you wait to buy an item, the more likely you are not to buy the item – saving yourself a lot of money over the long haul.
Have you ever gone through your house and noticed items with tags on them or items you’ve used less than a handful of times?
How much stuff is sitting in our homes, cars, and offices that we can return, sell, or donate because we don’t use them?
Much of What We Buy Is Pointless
Without thinking twice, many of us spend our money on things with no value. Mindless spending is a societal pandemic.
And all of the marketing strategies, advertising, media’s repetitive brainwashing, and consistent introduction of new toys to the market don’t make consuming less any easier.
The average American household possesses considerable consumer debt due to our consumption problem.
We willingly allow our consumption habits to compromise our financial well-being. And mostly because we are emotional spenders or want to keep up appearances with our fellow neighbors, friends, and family.
But at what cost? The cost frequently jeopardizes our financial futures.
The less you spend, the less debt you’re likely to have and the less physical weight you carry.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.