Deriving happiness from possessions

I have a habit of buying things I think I want/need at the time. Thankfully I don't have enough income at the moment to buy everything I decide I want though.

I wanted a tablet (Nexus 7 at the time I think), had to save up for it and in that time realised I would never use it (thankfully). Ended up buying something else, can't even remember what that was but I know I didn't need that either (just no saving required so I bought it straight away).

Right now I'm wasting money on games I will probably never play (210 Steam games and counting) and upgrades for my PC. I can justify the PC upgrades as I spend an awful lot of time on it, for now at least. Hoping to start a new job soon that will drastically reduce my free time. It will mean I can afford the upgrades I want but won't be able to spend as much time using it :(.

Humble bundle and Steam sales offer what seem to be great deals at the time, until I realise I'm not going to play most of the games I buy...
 
I blame HotDeals / discount facebook groups.

I've bought so many games / tech items because they are at an all time low price, rather than actually needing them (so many steam games that haven't even been installed).

It's the research and finding the best possible price that I enjoy, when discount codes are involved I'm in heaven!

The item I've purchased is merely a by-product
 
This is a very good read:
http://www.waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.html
Note the section on how everyone only comments on the highlights of their life and the image that you create in your mind of how well someone else is doing.

At age 25 I have an OK job, a house and two cars. On occasion I have felt 'meh' and want a better car (one of them is the world's cheapest car to run), or sometimes I want a new graphics card, a fancy holiday etc.
Really what I want is to find another half and I have come to realise that buying stuff only temporarily distracts me from what I really want in my life. I am glad of this revelation though as it has driven me to do something about it! I am trying to come across as a more positive person (nobody likes mr grumpy) and have joined a gym.

I certainly do buy stuff I do not need as it brings excitement. However I thankfully only spend what I can afford and have lived my entire life with my parents drilling that into me.
I could get an amazing job on good money, get a snazzy car and wear clothes that aren't from Primark, but on occasion I would still want more. I find the human instinct of greed would always sneak up on me.

Even now I look back and think how I buggered up a year at Uni and dropped out of a PhD........
The hardest part of all is looking in the mirror and saying '**** me my life is actually going well'.

I will always believe a man's house is his castle and will always prioritise my home over PC/gadgets/cars/clothes/holidays, but I do realise everyone is different. I will always want to look like I'm doing well, even if times are hard.
To be honest right now with the house various things are costing me money i.e. New washer and iron this month, which has rinsed me and I could do without the MX5, but it is my hobby and I love it.





TLDR: Click on the link above. I believe impulse buying tat is to distract you from the real problems in life. If you are lonely, you will continue to be lonely once the novelty of a 50" TV has worn off.
 
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My wife buys a ridiculous amount of stuff, the post office probably has a box just for our house never mind the street :)

I don't buy that much stuff and am not really an impulse buyer, I get what people are saying about enjoying the research phase however; in fact in the past I've spent hours researching things that I haven't ended up buying (and not because the research put him off).

I do like a 'bargain' though and have been suckered into buying some stuff via HUKD and the like:
-Tablet, rarely gets used as my mobile phone is more powerful
-Flip HD camcorder (never used, I film on mobile if required)
-Loads of games that I haven't played
 
My outlook on stuff changed a few years ago and as such I've not felt the need to buy more stuff because I know I don't need it or desire it. I've been trying to get rid of crap instead of buy more. I think people just buy stuff without thinking for a quick buzz which soon diminishes and then they do it again.
 
I derive my lack of happiness to large extent to the lack of possessions.

I haven't seen TV since the last world cup final, can't afford any holidays, my children have to be 'sick' on days of school outings to avoid embarrassing them, 4 of us live in one bedroom of the in-laws' house

All of it stressful and soul destroying.
 
I wish I did buy stuff, I seem to have a knack for wasting money. I mull over larger purchases for ages and then when I decide to go ahead I discover I've spent all the money on stupid smaller things.
 
a high percentage of the forum will be the same as the OP

You just have to look at the threads started, the photos of your desktop, house, car, people buying 3 x Titans and saying they don't like games 'im a hardware enthusiast' and can afford it.

I live in a box room but bought a 60" Plasma because I can afford it. I have an iPhone 5, but bought a 5s just because it's newer

Yep, plenty of people like you about :-)

Have kids, your life will change then lol
 
momentimori said:
I derive my lack of happiness to large extent to the lack of possessions.

I haven't seen TV since the last world cup final, can't afford any holidays, my children have to be 'sick' on days of school outings to avoid embarrassing them, 4 of us live in one bedroom of the in-laws' house

All of it stressful and soul destroying.
Click to expand...

*hugs*
 
MonkeyMan said:
I blame HotDeals / discount facebook groups.

I've bought so many games / tech items because they are at an all time low price, rather than actually needing them (so many steam games that haven't even been installed).

It's the research and finding the best possible price that I enjoy, when discount codes are involved I'm in heaven!

The item I've purchased is merely a by-product
Click to expand...

Ditto. :D
 
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