Ukuleles and stuff from the Aldi middle aisle

That’s colloquially referred to as retail therapy. I don’t think occasionally indulging in it is bad as long as you’re cognizant of its purpose as a coping mechanism and understand the relief/pleasure it provides probably isn’t going to be long-lasting.

In my family, all impulse purchases had to be “justified” with whatever flimsy reasoning was necessary. I don’t think that’s any better and if it’s not coming at the expense of things you actually need, it’s good to be able to decide you want something just because you do. Otherwise you can start going down the path of, “Do I really need cheese on this burger? Do I really need variety in my food? Do I really need to be eating three times a day?”

Life should be lived, just don’t lose sight of the big picture of course. Also, I’m sure other people around you approve of your buying deodorant :)

Budgeting won’t get you a house. Earning an unusually high amount of money (and that amount keeps growing) gets you a house eventually.

The way I learned it is, most people who make a budget forget the value of fun. Make sure your bills are covered, save what you can, and also set aside some money for fun.

Paying a streaming service subscription, buying a little something to eat or drink when meeting with friends, buying fun gadgets you can enjoy, and buying hobby supplies would all be worthwhile uses of money set aside for fun.

You’ll probably never have a house. Better rip that bandaid off quick. Lol

I buy things occasionally, yes. I’ve been trying to prioritize though, and also have been really focusing on dealing with my old stuff too. I’ve basically made a self-imposed rule of selling/donating/reimplementing the old things, which allows me to better focus on the new things and not feel so bad about it. Being materialistically responsible is something I wished I’d learned earlier in life. I’ve still got a long way to go, but the progress I’ve made has helped tremendously.

prioritization is key. (at least for me)

I understand that some days I go down that hole so I set aside “play money” for play things.

poor students, adults, and working peeps need play time too. treat yourself day is counted as play time. knowing when play time is - that’s adulting.

the last thing I bought in this category is kimchi. never had it in kitchen form before so it was both a tasting and meal-pairing experience.

Good little consumer, happyness comes from owning crap.

Loads of beer and tobacco.

I once read

we as a society work 40+ hours a week . Spend little to no time doing the things we love. It’s a struggle every day. And because we are in this constant state of “grind” we shop for items that give us temporary happiness.

We are meat in a meat grinding machine from early age to nearly death. No one consented to it… It just is. So spend that $5 or that $1500 on something that gives you happiness. Because at the end of it all… it’s the ride that matters not where you end up.

It also needs to be said… We are a culture of consumerism. We all must buy and buy and buy to keep the economy afloat. So the game has been rigged to make you want to spend.

Good luck op

No way, I very rarely buy junk that I don’t need. Spending money makes me feel bad. I just buy what I need. If it’s something I REALLY want, then the pleasure of getting that thing might offset the unpleasantness of spending money, but it’s a calculated decision. For example I might buy 2 or 3 video games per year to help keep me entertained, but I won’t blow my money on tons of games I’ll never play during sales. If I see something in a store and think it looks cool or useful, I’ll normally just go home and think about it. I will usually decide that it’s just junk that I don’t need or want. If I really do want it, it will still be there later.

Consumerism has replaced community. Instead of visiting a friend I go for a walk alone, but I live in a city so the only place to walk is among the stores. And the walk feels meaningless if I don’t buy something.

I have many sweaters. But maybe I could go buy another sweater.

I’m not sure I can relate to the premise. Sure, I do feel a little spike of pleasure when I buy something technically unnecessary, like another T shirt, or something hobby related, but I wouldn’t say I “go insane” during the weeks I don’t buy such things.

A Jellycat Dexter. So adorable but silly expensive for a cuddly thing (I was rewarding myself after having to go into hospital for an invasive test).

When I was growing up, if I wanted anything it was, “do you need it?”. This was drilled into me so much I feel a bit guilty for buying random things even though I can afford them, and I always think long and hard about purchases very rarely buying anything on impulse. Usually I see something and have to go back (weeks) later to buy it after it has been playing on my mind.

I’m a Stoic and I still enjoy material things very much! Obsession with things is unhealthy but so is the opposite. We make things, things are awesome, why shouldn’t we enjoy them once in a while? I just got a new yerba mate cup and it’s bringing me loads of joy!

Last year I got really into freshwater aquarium keeping as a hobby. So I find myself buying little plants, decor, tools, etc for my aquariums (of which I have 5 now…). It’s fun, a bit expensive but it’s therapeutic.

I also smoke hella weed.