Myth: You must never buy anything new unless it’s something you absolutely need.
Truth: Every now and then, it’s okay to buy something you just want.
Not long ago, a friend of mine posted on social media about her buyer’s remorse. There was a particular item that was very hyped up and she decided she wanted it. She searched vendors for the cheaper prices but couldn’t find the item so she went to the main vendor and purchased it at a regular price. The item does work well for her, but she still felt bad, thinking of the items she could’ve gotten cheaper. I understand her not wanting to spend a lot of money or to pay full price, but I hope that her buyer’s remorse didn’t last too long.
From me, you get the truth.
Every now and then, you’ll find what I call an X item. An X item is something that you don’t need but you just want. Sometimes it’s “Meira, buy me! BUY MEEEEEE!” Sometimes it’s “I waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant it.” I know it sounds a bit juvenile, but there it is. Maybe the item is something popular and trendy that you’ve been seeing a lot on other women. Maybe the item is in a store where you’re shopping for things you need. Maybe it popped up in the online vendor while you were shopping there.
The mistake is in trying to ignore that X factor. Even if you don’t wind up buying it, you still need to address it. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with remorse for a long time for not trying it. So, what do you do instead?
Step one is to consider your budget. Can you afford this X item at all? Can you find it at an affordable price, perhaps from a different vendor? If you can’t afford it, then you have to let it go. If you can afford it but it’s pricier than you would like, don’t let it go just yet. Again, go ahead and shop around and see if any other vendors carry it for a cheaper price. But even if they don’t, you need not let it go.
Step two is to consider fit and flattery. Thanks to the health crisis, it’s just about impossible to try things on first, so you have to know your best colors and silhouettes. If the X item looks like something that would flatter your body and coloring, then it’s worth considering.
Step three is to consider versatility. Can you wear this item a lot? Can you create at least three different outfits with it using items you already have? If the answer to these is yes, then the X item is likely worth it.
But why should you buy an X item at all? Honestly, there’s always a good reason to buy an X item if you can afford one and it meets all of the above criteria. Maybe you like that hyped-up item and want to not miss out on it. Maybe it’s your birthday and you want to buy yourself a present (my birthday is in Elul and I’m still looking). Maybe you just got your paycheck from work and want to reward yourself a teeny bit. Maybe you want something new for a She’hecheyanu on Rosh HaShanah.
But what if the X item is pricier than you’d like? Wouldn’t it be better to get other, cheaper items? First, not necessarily. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for and those cheaper items aren’t necessarily worth it. Second, even if there are other, cheaper items, you wanted THIS item and you got it. And if it does work for you, it will more than pay for itself over time.
The point is that you mustn’t ignore the X factor. Maybe you’ll find that it’s not for you and you won’t buy it, but maybe you’ll find that it is worth it and you’ll wear it and let it make you feel great.
Meira E. Schneider-Atik is a wardrobe organizer, personal shopper, jewelry designer, and fashion writer/blogger and speaker. She helps women look great while saving time, effort, and money, all within tznius guidelines, and she’ll add to that with custom-designed jewelry. Read more about her ideas on her blog- www.truetzniutistruebeauty.wordpress.com. She also has a YouTube channel, “Look Your Best in Mitpachot,” where she does head-wrapping tutorials, and she is also available for private demonstrations. She can be reached at (718) 644-6135 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..