- Ark's Newsletter
- Posts
- Why I’ll NEVER Buy Nice Things Again
I don’t buy nice things. A recent experience outside my apartment perfectly illustrates why. A car crash occurred—not a devastating one with injuries, but a dramatic one nonetheless. An ordinary truck sideswiped a brand-new, shiny baby blue Porsche. The Porsche driver, a well-dressed man, leapt out and screamed, “You idiot, this is a new car!” Meanwhile, the truck driver, dealing with a popped tire, calmly took photos, changed his tire, and waited for the police. The contrast was stark: rage versus calm, entitlement versus practicality. This scene encapsulates why I avoid nice things—they come with baggage like ego, stress, and insecurity. When you own too many nice things, they start to own you. Below, I outline five reasons why I steer clear of luxury purchases.
1. They Raise the Stakes on Everyday Life
Nice things amplify the stakes of daily life. In the car crash, the Porsche driver’s reaction was intense because his $100,000 car was at risk. A scratch wasn’t just damage—it was a blow to his ego, wallet, and image. The truck driver, with his $10,000 vehicle, saw it as a minor inconvenience. When you own expensive things, every scratch or stain hits harder—financially, emotionally, and psychologically. I prefer owning modest items, like a reliable $10,000 truck, that let me move on without stress. The less I have to protect, the freer I feel.
2. Let the Suckers Take the Financial Hit
I don’t avoid nice things entirely, but I rarely pay full price. Why? The world is full of people willing to overpay for new, shiny items. Let them take the financial hit. For example, a Google Pixel 9 Fold might cost $2,000 new. A “sucker” buys it at full price, gets bored, and sells it on eBay for $500. I swoop in for the deal, avoiding the $1,500 loss and the stress of owning a high-ticket item. This applies to electronics, furniture, and even cars. By buying used, I enjoy nice things without the financial or emotional burden.
3. They’re Often Unnecessarily Nice
We assume spending more means better quality, but how much quality do you really need? On a recent trip to Portugal for a 110-mile Camino de Santiago walk, I considered buying high-end hiking clothes at REI. The shirts were $50–$100 and made of premium materials like 88% merino wool. But I stopped myself: was I climbing Mount Everest or just walking across Portugal? Instead, I bought a $35 pack of five shirts on Amazon that worked perfectly. Nice things are great, but overpaying for excessive quality—like a jacket for Everest or a car for every terrain—is often unnecessary. Practical, affordable options usually suffice.
4. They Don’t Improve Your Life as Much as You Think
Nice things can enhance your life, but only to a point. Upgrading from a beater car to a reliable one might improve your peace of mind tenfold. But jumping to a Corvette? The benefits diminish. It might not solve real problems and could add stress from payments or fear of damage. I aim for “enough”—where my needs are met, life gets easier, and I avoid the burden of chasing that extra 1% of luxury. That pursuit often brings complexity, cost, and stress that outweigh the gains.
5. They Trap You in Luxury
As you acquire nicer things, your standards rise, and going back feels impossible. At 20, I drove a beater car and tolerated it because it was all I knew. Now, with a reliable car, I’d never return to that stress. This “luxury trap” is real: you earn more, upgrade your lifestyle, and then can’t downgrade without feeling deprived. I’m cautious about upgrading because I don’t want to be owned by a luxurious lifestyle. Intentional, sustainable choices keep me free from that cycle.
6. They Blind You to the Luxury You Already Have
In America, we’re surrounded by abundance but often focus on what we lack. A person with a decent home, reliable car, and livable income might envy someone with a mansion and a Corvette, overlooking their own privilege. Most of us live luxuriously compared to much of the world—driving private cars instead of crowded buses, living in climate-controlled homes, and earning consistent paychecks. I don’t chase nice things because I already have luxury; I just choose to see it. Gratitude for what I have keeps me grounded.
Conclusion
I don’t buy nice things because they raise the stakes, come with unnecessary stress, and can trap you in a cycle of wanting more. By letting others take the financial hit, choosing practical options, and appreciating what I already have, I live with less stress and more freedom. Nice things aren’t inherently bad, but they’re not worth the cost—financially or emotionally—if they start to own you.
Subscribe to my email newsletter now.
Listen to my articles now. Click the below link
Buy my latest book on Amazon from here. Buy from Amazon
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This article may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe will add value to your holiday season. Your support helps me continue to create helpful content—thank you!