There’s got to be a better way! Recently, I have incurred too much buyer’s remorse on too many “good ideas”.
An easy target
Some activities are easy to spot as money suckers and understandable to pass on – like a few hours at the Bronx Zoo - which costs over $20 just for my 2 year old and me to enter, not to mention what the food would cost or tolls, parking, or the ticket I’d get for parking in the wrong spot. I am grateful I saw that invite coming and was very polite in my “Thanks, but maybe next time” response. This would have been small potatoes though, in relation to the big money I’ve wasted over the past 2 years of my son’s life.
It takes a village
When Bean was about 9 months old, I thought it would be a good investment of $45 to belong to Holistic Moms’ Network for a year. As it says in the title, I hoped to meet like-minded, holistic moms. However the monthly evening meetings didn’t fit our schedule and when we did get to go to a meeting or two, I found it hard to connect with the other moms. I guess they had already found their holistic circles and didn’t seem to need any more members. I even spent a ridiculous amount of money on attending their yearly conference. Of all the vendors displaying their wares, I enjoyed the Organic Valley table, who offered lots of coupons, cheese sticks, bumper stickers and buttons that said “I like milk”. All the other tables’ items were selling wares that were too expensive for my frugal yet holistic lifestyle.
Pool Pity Party
And now this year, my Verona Pool membership has me regretful. How could I have checked beforehand so that I would have known the pool doesn’t open until noon? Why didn’t I ask more questions & demand more answers before I handed over my hard earned money? Having a morning-centered day, this membership is largely unused and more than $350 has gone to waste. That was money I scrimped and saved to - miraculously - come up with. And now, I am thinking of all the things that I could have used that money for instead.
To Costco or not to Costco
I have played with the idea of getting a $50 Costco membership. Yet after having the above experiences I have prudently waited to see if I can maybe live without a 3-month supply of toilet paper, bar soap or cheddar cheese. Plus the idea of going to yet another store during the week makes me start to do the math on the gas used versus the actual savings. I don’t like math, I don’t get very far before I give up on the idea.
Surely I can't be the only one
What items have you “splurged” on and later felt regret? How could you have avoided such waste? I guess it’s mostly live and learn, but the budget’s too tight these days to make any more of these mistakes. Here’s to savvy shopping, prudent forethought and a simpler life.
Comments
Ah yes, the biggest regret I have was that hugely expensive (think $400 in 1984) fitness center membership in Midland Park. I was so miserable with my weight and thought this would take it off. Well, I probably used it twice in the entire year, and kept kicking myself at how awful I was to waste my family's money. Then about a year later I found a 12-step food program and the weight started coming off safely without exercise in a hot, sweaty gym.
Confucius once said: "Those who will not economize, will later have to AGONIZE." For those of us who don't love math - our reliance on common sense does help when looking for places to cut corners. I think the key is being able to willingly let go of superficial things and realize you are not depriving yourself and your family, rather you are helping them later on.
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