my 5 worst and best purchases of 2023
Call me Rebecca Bloomwood and get me a green scarf, because this is my confession: I am a shopaholic. Like our friend Becky in the 2009 movie, I too feel that the world gets better when I shop.
I’m sure I can guess where the habit was born, but I have always been a shopper. There’s an intense rush that floods over me when the sales associate walks the bag around the counter and places the handles onto my open palm. It’s impulsive a lot of the time. It’s like I haven’t given it much thought, and yet at the same time, it’s all I can think about in the moment. Maybe it’s an ADHD thing, but I become hyper-focused on one thing and some part of my brain activates a, “You NEED this and you need it right NOW” alarm that is only silenced when a card is swiped. Please tell me I’m not alone in this.
Billy and I are both off this week, and we’re working on cleaning out the garage and storage closets that have amassed an entire generation’s worth of junk since we closed on the house two years ago. As I sort the items into piles: keep, toss, donate, sell, I can’t help but reflect on the purchases I made this year. Surely, the list is longer than five — but I tried to limit my selections in the hopes of limiting my shame.
One caveat before diving in… the products on my worst purchases list aren’t bad, they’re just not for me. They’re (mostly) great products, and they may be even on the top of your list in the new year — who knows! But if so, let’s talk before you click add to cart. Without further adieu…
My 5 Worst Purchases of 2023
Tiffany T Shaped Ring
So, here’s the thing. This is actually one of the things I have been eyeing for YEARS. I knew I wanted it for the wedding to represent Billy’s last name, and I picked it up at the Carmel store the night before the big day. It is beautiful, and I do wear it from time to time, but it’s not something that I feel is practical to wear daily. The opening between the Ts allows for a little too much flex, and I’m scared this thing will slip off my pinky without even knowing it.
Standing Desk
I’ve had an electric standing desk at the office and LOVED it. I moved to a fully remote role in August and figured I needed one at home, too. In theory, it would be perfect, but then I remembered that I’m not the best at working from home. Most (ok, all days), I end up at a coworking space nearby — in large part to get out of the house and focus, but also because the standing desk on the carpet in my home office provides just enough movement for people to comment how wobbly my camera is.
Apple Watch Series 9 (& Honorable mention: Tissot Watch)
Maybe I’m just not a watch person, but I can’t seem to remember (or can’t be bothered) to put either of these on in the morning. This was made worse once I had both of them: The Apple Watch, while lovely for activity tracking, actually requires activity to be useful. And the Tissot, while beautiful, feels remarkably heavy. I haven’t worn either enough for a decent ROI.
Gain Laundry Pods
I am SO over laundry pods. These especially. I have had multiple items ruined because of these stupid things. Some haven’t dissolved properly and others have left permanent colorful streaks or bleach-like splotches on my clothes. As if I needed another proof-point that I’m turning into my Dad (love you, Shane!), I’m switching us to free and clear liquid detergent when we reach the last of this pack.
Every single Instagram Ad
Remember my impulse buys? Yeah turns out Instagram LOVES people like me. Of all the sponsored ads I fell prey to this year, I can only think of one that was a hit — and it was a gift for someone else. AG1? No way. Definitely not for me. Factor? Hit and miss, but couldn’t compete with my cravings. Forward? A mall-based medical office subscription promising whole health… lol. And lastly, a hand-embroidered White Lotus-inspired, ‘These are some high-end gays” pillow from Furbish? Cute and funny, but sized for the cats at $110. I’d skip it next time. Also, a reminder to pay closer attention to the dimensions.
My 5 Best Purchases of 2023
Monos Carry-On Hybrid
This bag has trekked with me to Europe and back twice, plus a few loops around the US, and has held up amazingly. It scuffs, sure, but a magic eraser has removed most with ease. It features two combo locking clasps instead of a zipper, rolls quietly and as smooth as butter, and holds enough for a 5-ish day-long trip. I recently purchased the larger Check-In Hybrid Trunk for an upcoming trip to Switzerland and can’t wait to have double the space as the carry-on in the new form factor.
Loewe Puzzle Bag
This was an impulse buy that paid off. I LOVE this bag. I have always been a tote carrier, but this bag is my new gold standard. It holds an obscene amount for the size, holds up well without being babied, and can be carried by the top handle, on your shoulder, or crossbody if you need your hands (for your shopping bags). I purchased this at the airport in Copenhagen, which not only saved me a boatload of cash, but gave the bag a story.
Kyoto Birkenstocks
Yes, I have an affinity for Birkenstocks. And yes, my friends make fun of my growing collection of these cork sandals, but this style is sooo good. It boasts a single slide-inspired strap with two layers for ease of finding the perfect fit. (Even better than the Arizona style because you’re not reliant on using the pre-drilled holes for adjustment.) The soft bed style makes the break-in period non-existent, plus the shoe itself looks a bit more elevated than other styles. (Keep the comments in the peanut gallery to a minimum until you’ve worn them.)
Necessaire Hair Products
Having tried nearly everything for my thick and somewhat dry hair, this product line has changed my hair almost instantly. They pay a lot of attention to your scalp and also offer a serum that not only adds to the silkiness the conditioner leaves you with, but also boosts hair growth. My hair feels and looks more healthy than it ever has. Highly, highly, highly recommend this brand.
Ruggable Runner
After eyeing Ruggable’s long list of options for some time, and purchasing one for my dad, I decided to opt for a runner in our kitchen. I chose the thicker option as I figured it would help when doing dishes or meal prep. I’ve spilled pasta sauce on this thing, the cats have used it for a scratch pad, and I’ve even crunched butter-covered Chex Mix pieces into its fibers. After a quick wash in the washing machine, it looks like new. My only gripe is that it does move around quite a bit. I’m thinking a little rug tape or some gummy nonslip feet at the corners will help with this.
What Comes Next for this shopaholic?
There you have it, an inside look at an emotional shoppers paradise graveyard. If admitting you have a problem is the first step, blah, blah, blah — what comes next? I’m glad you (we) asked. A very good friend of mine has this theory, if you really want it a week from now then it’s probably something you actually want. She applies this method to her shopping with a Post-It note. Yes, you read that correctly, a 3”x3” piece of paper curbs her spending.
You see when she sees something she wants — whether it be online or in-store — she writes it down on her sticky note. If she still wants it after a week (read: if she’s thought of it as obsessively as I would), she buys it. When asked how it’s worked, she shared that most of the items fall into the meh category after the agonizing short wait, and she skips the spend.
To be honest, I tried this briefly this year as a less restrictive option to her ‘No Spend September’ idea. It was effective for as long as I remembered the Post-It, which admittedly wasn’t as long as I would have liked. Now, I can’t help but wonder, with my new-found knowledge and time to reflect during multiple trips to Goodwill and waiting around for Facebook Marketplace buyers, will 2024 be any different?