Are you one of those people that like to buy stuff all the time? The kind of person who has a mild addiction to the internet like you were opening presents on Christmas day? As much enjoyment as you might get from receiving new packages to open at home, you’ll realize years later that some items you buy you just simply never use. Here are five that I bought over the years that I never used.
- I Pod Knock Offs– I was on one of those Deal Of The Day websites when I noticed a sale for $4.99 for what looked to be I-Pods. The site didn’t say they were I-Pods, but they looked identical in nature to the I-Pod. Somehow, I thought I would use these stockings stuffers or neat little giveaways. So I bought 10 of them. When the packaged arrived, the directions were all is some foreign languages, the boxes were half cracked, and all of sudden this didn’t seem like a good idea. So I stored them in a box thinking I would use them down the road. To date . . . still in the box.
- Electric Razor- When I got tired of shaving, I used to see all of these commercials showing how easy it is to use an electric razor on the go or in the car for quick and easy shave. So I bought one of these fancy schmancy electric razors thinking I would get a clean close shave and do it with relative ease. After one shave, I put it away in the box and then it eventually worked its way out of my house as a charitable giveaway.
- Shoe Shine Kit- I remember getting into this business thinking about making sure my shoes were always shined to the hilt. Every time I was in the airport or a nice office building, I would stop for quick shine. Eventually, I thought it would be really cool to take a piece of an afternoon or evening and put my own stamp on shining my shoes. I bought the kit, wax, polish for the edges, and the best cloths to clean up the shoes. It was so exciting for the first time or two I shined my shoes. What can I say but that the luster wore off and I’ve never used the kit again. Anytime one of you wants it, I’ll be happy to give it to you. It’s strictly drop off time at Nordstrom or a local shoe store now.
- Garmin- I’m infamous for asking my staff for directions ten times to get to the same place. Now, I didn’t actually purchase this one as I got it for a birthday gift. I had a good friend of mine program addresses in the Garmin, and get me all set up so I could just punch in the addresses and go, go, go. Newsflash. The I-Phone! Now, that I have this baby in my hands it provides me with instamatics GPS whenever I need to get somewhere. Carmen the Garmin is now officially in my glove compartment.
- Power Drill- I admit it. When I bought my first home and finally got a garage, it was a trip or two every week to Home Depot to add some new stuff to my tool arsenal. I don’t know how many different types of super glue there are, but I can tell you that I have at least a half dozen still in my toolbox developing crust all over them. My big purchase was a bright new shiny power drill. I imagined I would be hanging things, putting things together, and being a regular old Tim the tool man. Survey says . . . . Wrong! That power drill has served its best use over the years re-drilling the hole at the bottom of the Christmas tree and that is about it!
What are your top five not so smart money moves for purchases you made? Let us know- Comment below!!!
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Written by:
Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®
Co-CEO and Founder of oXYGen Financial, Inc – The Leaders in Gen X & Y Financial Advice
