A few weeks ago, I bought something that I didn’t need but I wanted. I didn’t realize when I made the purchase but the decision was rooted in aspirational living: I saw someone else had it, thought it would improve my life, and I went out the next day and bought it. Although it didn’t make or break my budget — it came to about $50 — it was still enough for a nice dinner with my girlfriend, a couple of books, or an extra payment towards my student loans.
The problem wasn’t my impulsivity. It’s what happened next.
A few days after my purchase, I came to the realization that I needed a new wallet. One that was not only vegan, but also made in an ethical manner. After browsing online, I found one made in San Francisco that fit the criteria that I had (vegan, US-made, fits in my pocket, elegant minimalist design). The following day, I ordered it online.
Fast forward a week, I felt an urge taking over my brain: I just had to have a camera. My iPhone was fine for regular photos, but I wanted to take exceptional photos. After all, this summer I’m heading to Vancouver and I want to capture the experience. Memories are priceless, right?
Within a short month, a relatively minor purchase snowballed into an insatiable urge to purchase $650+ worth of stuff.
