It can be so easy to get caught in the moment and buy a bunch of stuff you don’t need.

These purchases can be fueled by a struggle to tell ourselves and others no or even a struggle to keep up a false image of success.

At the end of the day, we’re still responsible for the choices we make.

We’ve all made purchases we aren’t proud of no matter how big or small, however, there are just some purchases that tend to sting a little more that others.

Here are a few of the worst buys you can make.

Timeshare

Family vacations can be awesome! Some of my favorite memories come from trips out of town.

However, vacationing on similar weeks in what sometimes can be the same destination year after year can definitely get old. That’s essentially what owning a timeshare is.

Often times there are options to spend a little more to upgrade to a better week or destination, but why not just skip owning the timeshare and just rent someone else’s for the week instead?

You won’t just be skipping the cost of the timeshare, but you’ll be skipping those fees that you are assessed when you own it which can be for the rest of your life.

Boat

Most boat owners will tell you that they are just giant money pits.

Between the depreciation and expensive repairs it’s pretty easy to see why.

So many boats are bought without much thought which is probably why there’s an old saying that states the best two days of a boat owner’s life are the day he buys his boat – and the day he sells it.

Also worth noting is the fact that you may only be able to use it for a few months each year which means you may incur storage fees on top of everything else.

Expensive Weddings

When we got married, we did so at my in-laws church for immediate family only. Six months later, we held a large reception for family and friends that we paid cash for.

All in all, we spent a little less than $10k and had a fantastic time at both.

And you know what? We’re not any less married today than someone who spent $30-40k on their wedding.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t have the wedding of your dreams. However, you may want to reconsider some of your options if your wedding is leading you deep into debt.

DVDs

I’ve been a sucker for Black Friday deals on movies. It’s been like a tradition for us to go out around 6 PM that Friday night and just pick through the DVD bin and see what we can get for under $4.

We’ve scored some amazing movies, however, most of them haven’t been watched.

With the rise of streaming services like Playstation Vue, Hulu, Netflix, and Sling TV, DVDs are becoming ancient artifacts.

Save yourself the cash and storage space.

Baby Stuff

Oh man! There are so many cool looking baby items.

However, going for a baby monitor that will set you back several hundred dollars over a basic one or opting for the most expensive co-sleeper that your baby will quickly grow out of can be a huge waste of money.

Furthermore, a lot of secondhand shops will carry some variation of what you’re needing at a steep discount,

My advice to other expecting parents would be to stick with the basics. There’s nothing worse than buying an expensive Pack & Play only to have a baby with Reflux that can’t even really sleep in it. Trust me on that one.

Brand New Car

Brand new cars are EXPENSIVE!

Not only are the payments getting more expensive for longer terms, but the depreciation is a killer!

The new car smell will not outlast the payments and once that’s all you’re left with, regret can seep in.

Sure you may lose some of the latest features, however, buying a car that’s 2-3 years old can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Especially if you save up and buy it with cash.

Extended Warranties

Extended warranties are very rarely a good buy for consumers.

By offering them every time you make a large purchase, companies make a ton of money.

Not only that, but when you go to use your warranty, often times the hassle of trying is so frustrating most people quit.

One of the best things you can do is just save up the cash in an emergency fund and have it to cover any repairs your home, car, or electronics may need.

Overpriced Home Gadgets

Taylor has been bugging me about a Kitchen-Aid Mixer since shortly after our wedding. We can’t agree on it because the price point is outrageous considering how little it would actually get used in our house.

Additional overpriced items are those Kirby vacuums and Cutco knife sets sold by door to door salespeople. You can find quality items for more than half the price of either of these.

Keep in mind that i’m not telling you to buy cheap items. I’m advising you to be aware of the value of these items to avoid financial regret later.

“As Seen On TV” Items

I have to admit…I actually like those commercials.

The pitch guys are just so enthusiastic that it lightens my mood every single time.

However, I’d never buy a sham-wow cloth or even a course from an alleged mogul promising to show me all of his or her secrets.

Why? Because most of them aren’t worth half of the asking price and usually the product isn’t actually something I need.

I’m totally content with enjoying the commercials for now.

Home Gym

Treadmills are the most expensive clothes hangers known to man.

Just about every single time I’ve seen one in a home they are holding laundry.

Is there a better way to remind yourself of just how much you a regret a purchase than hanging laundry on it every single week?

Before you buy any home exercise equipment, you should commit yourself to going to the gym consistently for at least 6 months.

If you accomplish this, you may be ready, however, you may just find that you enjoy the gym more than you thought.

Expensive Clothing/Accessories

There’s not much worse than looking rich while living broke.

Buying $200+ shoes while neglecting to invest in your retirement will be something you eventually regret.

I remember splurging on a Louis Vuitton wallet back when I was in my early 20’s. As evidenced by the lack of money actually in the wallet, I definitely couldn’t afford it on my salary at the time and about a year and half later the wallet was stolen.

Talk about a colossal waste of money.

Pool/Hot Tub

This is another one of those money pits.

The cost of the pool, maintenance, and the fact that it doesn’t really add much to your home’s value are all great reason to skip out on the pool.

Furthermore, this is another one of those seasonal purchases that cost entirely too much to be seasonal.

Fine China

Let’s be honest: how often do you actually use your china?

We’ve been married for almost four years and ours is still in the box.

This is one of those items that you may be better off waiting to receive when it’s passed down to you.

How Do You Not Make Purchases You’ll Regret?

The easiest way to keep yourself from buying stuff that you will regret is to create and stick to a monthly budget.

A budget isn’t a tool used to control or restrict your life. A budget is simply you telling your money where to go which actually gives you the freedom to spend on things that actually matter.

Another thing you can do is enact the 24-hour purchase period for all of those impulse buys. Walk away and take 24 hours to think about whether this purchase will move you closer to or further away from your goals.

Mastering the art of telling yourself no can be tricky at first, but your bank account will thank you as you get the hang of it.