Ever bought something you wanted but didn't really need?

I'm sure many of us have - particularly us western chaps.

Despite owning 2 laptops, tablet, notebook & 2 moby's I succumed to Amazon's Black Friday offer of a Kindle Fire for £30. It's not even that great a tablet / screen (but certainly passable) and with so many other tech options I'm thinking it will gather dust on the shelf!

Other non-essential purchases in past few months include a rather decent set of 10 x 42 binoculars (around £80) and a pair of Ox Blood Dr Martens (8 holers / yellow laces!!)

I already own 2 pairs of (admittedly inferior) bins and am certainly not shy in the footwear department.

I am well aware of the seductive nature of consumerism - and would normally consider myself alert to such pressures - but I'm only flesh and blood! Lol

I won't even start on tools - hand & electric. Walking around B&Q I'm like a kid in a candy shop. it's sometimes necessary to stifle a semi!

I guess a bargain's only a bargain if you needed the item.

They say that confession is good for the soul - so let's hear about your retail therapy tales.

Gerry

I think a lot of us succumb to the "kid in a sweet shop" syndrome when in a shop that is full of the gadgets and tools that you like.

You have hit the nail squarely on the head when you say "its only a bargain if you need it," never a truer word and something we should try and keep in the back of our minds when out shopping because it is so easy to waste money.

A good thread that should generate a lot of interest, as I'm sure its applicable to many of us here on the forum

Thanks Tim -- I'll look out for your "confession" in the morning then!!

When messing with cars, and DIY were my main preoccupations... practically every day.

Now, my wife ably takes care of the spending department.

I have a large collection of USB flash drives that I have never used.

I think my first one, many years ago, was 64 or 128 MB capacity, perhaps even less. It seemed like a good idea for transferring files so I got one.

Then the available capacity of flash drives increased, so I got a few more, then a few more, I needed to keep up with technology.

The available capacity moved into Gigabytes, so I got even more.

I have a drawer half full of the things, the only time I can remember using one of them was when I once needed to get some photos printed at a shop.

I just stuck one (32gb) in the back of our telly here in the Phils, to play some videos. Useful little perishers. Also connect it to my tablet, to move files around. Kingston USB 3 DataTraveler. The one you can hang on your keyring. Amazing.

That's so weird Dave - I'm exactly the same. 16, 32, 64 & 128gb -- all sitting doing diddly squat. I have a few full of MP3 and pic / vid files but a fair few completely new.

I appear to have a hoarder-streak (I'm the same with torches) and signed-up to daily recommendations from tech sites like ebuyer and mymemory.

Crazy!

G

I'm thinking that when Kris and her son join me our family income will go on other priorities! The truth is that at 57 years old I pretty much have everything I need!

As an OAP with a son less than 2 years old, I just need to live to at least 100... with or without possessions.

You get a semi at the sight of tools?

My own weakness was/is classic cars and bikes. Do I actually need a 1963 E type Jaguar, 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1955 Chevy Step Side Pick up, 1939 Ariel SQ4 motorcycle, I guess not, do I want them, hell yes!!

Ha - and I'm feeling guilty over buying a pair of superfluous DMs

Ha - who needs Viagra when there's Makita & Bosch!

You may be a pensioner Graham but clearly nothing wrong with your fecundity!

I was waiting on your tech-laden contribution Jim. Quite a bit of redundancy in provision -- but it does feel good surrounding oneself in "essential" kit!

2 exercise bikes..
Made same mistake twice!

My only claim to extravagance (waste) is having a couple of expensive TAG watches that I do not wear that often, I bought them as a present to myself for enduring a long period of time working in Israel and Columbia where I had an hard time.

Clothes wise I go for very expensive brouges and Crombie coats (two of each), my father taught me to buy expensive shoes and coats as they will last for many years. Saying that its pointless as nowadays I rarely wear them, going now for casual jackets and the regulation old codger Clarks shoes.

I think with this thread we should turn our guns on the girls , opening their wardrobes up is an experience seeing all those unopened shoe boxes and designer handbags.

Like Jim I'm looking towards my retirement so I'm more thrifty nowadays, "make hay while the sun shines" is my present motto

At one point, i've managed to hoarde about 80 pairs of shoes/sandals/ boots. Mega sale in Dubai is addictive.

It was to convince myself that i wasnt depressed and stressed and that dubai is the place to be.

I grew up and currently have 5 pairs here in uk.

I cant give up jewelry shopping. In the end, its an investment.