I made an impulse buy and it isn’t one I will regret. I did the sensible post already. The one (here) that gave my tips for avoiding impulse buys. What the hell though. I wrote that after an impulse buy to remind myself of how to avoid them. But this post is dedicated to spending money on things you don’t really need. Things you want – like immediately. We can all be a little bad with money sometimes…surely?!
A quick build up of ‘What the Hell’
My impulse buys are not always on the spot. The big ones take a little bit of build up. The good advice will tell you that waiting 24 hours (never done it) will work. I consciously ignore good advice when being impulsive. In this case I built up my impulses within, oooh, about 12 hours.
It started with a breakfast meet up with two friends. I casually mentioned that I really needed to get a new laptop as my old one was grinding to a halt. I should note that this was not my impulse buy. An expensive purchase, yes, but definitely budgeted in, saved up and planned for. I (even more casually) threw in a comment about fancying a piano, noting that there was digital piano shop being near (ish) to the location of the apple store.
I said it out loud which is a bad thing for impulses. Basically I was halfway to buying one at that point. I have always fancied a piano but realistically my flat is small, they are expensive to buy and seemingly a pain to maintain. But digital ones are different. They look like a piano and sound exactly like a piano. Even Elton has one (apparently). They also have a full range of keys. I was three quarters sold on the idea by the time these thoughts were running through my head.
Purchase
So after a quick squizz (look) at laptops I tailed it quickly to the piano shop. Cue a very cheery salesman who played lovely piano music to me and got excited when I told him I hadn’t played since I was at school. He was more excited than me and so we pianoed (I know it isn’t a word) around for a while. I looked at one option which in my head seemed sensible. Well it certainly wasn’t as expensive as the expensive ones. It also was in the ‘sale’. More thoughts pushing me to buying and yes I know I know that technically not buying would be the most sensible option.
He tried his best to upsell me to the next model. However being very sensible, kind of….ok not at all really, I kept to my quickly made up budget. No point in kicking the complete backside out of my impulsive spending.
Delivery
The most important thing about impulse buys are how quickly you get them. If I had to wait a week for my piano I would have regained a sense of financial composure. But, nope, it was coming the very next day! The card was out quicker than something…erm…really quick. Sold! I bought a digital piano. I kept the information to myself in a deliciously impulsive secret type of way.
I skipped home (drove) and reorganised my living room. Then I waited. My friend popped round and noted the shuffled furniture whilst he also secretly wondered about the large space it had left. My neighbour got a table I don’t use. I patiently waited. This was on the Wednesday.
Thursday came and so did the delivery man. I was pleased as punch (I am not sure where that saying comes from). A gorgeous digital piano which basically looks like an upright.
Moment of Doubt
I sat down on my sofa and panicked. It looked massive. Is my living room now all piano and no space? Should I ask them to take it back? Should I have spent money on this and not on something sensible (like money towards a new boiler for example)?
These thoughts quickly passed when I dragged in my neighbour and the builders from next door to have a look. They were all excited too. So after a little bit of reassurance I sat down to marvel at how bloody well that digital piano fits into my room with the typically high Edinburgh ceilings. I even applauded myself on how well it matches the rather large old fireplace surround opposite.
Well Worth It
Sometimes impulse buys work out. I have had my new digital piano for just over a week now and have played every day. I have even had a wee music session with my neighbour on guitar. I am pretty basic in skill but I have all my old music looked out and have even admitted to a few people that I bought one. So it was definitely worth it. The boiler can bloody well wait .
Photo by Siamak Mokhtari on Unsplash. I could have used my own photo but this looks exactly the same and I like crediting people who are good at taking photos (although maybe a good camera should be a future impulse buy!)
Ahhh the impulse buy – I’ve been there done that and yes getting it home is the tricky bit. Have fun!
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Thanks for reading and yes I am sure we have all done it. The buying is half the fun but I also think this is one I will enjoy for a long time so worth the money 😊
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A wonderful impulse buy. One that will reward you for years to follow. I’m looking forward to hearing some music from across the pond soon. 🙂
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It is probably a good thing that the vastness of the ‘pond’ will dampen the sounds. Thanks though. I agree it is wonderful and I am still excited about the whole thing 😊!
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I’ve been doing a bit of impulse buying lately — which I really do need to get a grip on, tbh — but sometimes those things turn out to be a really good idea!
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Haha it is a fine balance to avoid being completely skint whilst also buying impulsively. Glad yours are also good ideas 😊! At least we can congratulate ourselves on spending brilliantly if a little too liberally. Thanks for reading.
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You know I very rarely make impulse buys! I don’t like clutter so I don’t really like buying myself anything! x
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That sounds like a good strategy to avoid impulse buys Jenny! Thanks for reading 😁
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I LOVE the way you write!
Thank you for sharing how not to impulse buy 😉
My piano agrees though that that was the best kind 😉
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Thanks so much!! I checked out your blog and appreciate the compliment as you write really well :-)! You may need to pass me on some hints at some point for piano playing haha! Thanks for reading and for commenting.
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Thank you for the compliment. 🙂 As far as piano playing goes… I grew up taking lessons. I don’t play often enough anymore, sadly. When I need a refresher…. Google! 😉
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A piano is such a cool impulse buy! My thing is ordering things on a Friday night after a glass of wine 🍷😂
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Thanks 😊! I do that too – it’s literally one of my top personal tips to avoid impulse buying (wine and internet)…haha hope your impulse buys have been good ones 😆
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