Why do I keep splurging on expensive stuff? (vent)

[the_randomizer]

So, recently I purchased an RTX 3060 TI via a third party on Amazon on a whim. To give some background, I was about to embark on a six-day workweek to cover for a coworker who was on vacation at the time. As you know, my job gets stressful from time to time, and being a long stretch of workdays, I felt the urge to get myself something for sticking it out, for doing something I've never done at any job in the past. I've been working here for over two years and it's been a fantastic place to work, everyone treats each other with respect and kindness, supervisors actually care about their teammates and what have you. Anyway, back to my rant, so I got the card a few days ago, but I'm starting to get remorse for having spent *sigh* 850 dollars on the bloody thing, roughly 20% above the MSRP for this particular MSI card. Just because I had the money doesn't make it necessarily the right thing to just splurge at the drop of a hat, when any other cheaper thing would have sufficed. My rationale for doing this was to mitigate stress and help motivate me for having gone through the long work week and to commemorate working over two years. This is where I get conflicted, I already have the following:

- A 4K QLED TV
- A PS5 Digital
- An Xbox Series X

I didn't need the upgrade, my 2060 S is still quite capable for 1440p on games that consoles can't run at 30 fps (Crash N Sane Trilogy for example, locked at 30 fps on consoles). I really need to be more patient with waiting to see if and when things get back to normal, I should have waited till it was at MSRP or on a sale of some kind, but no, like a fool I dived into the rabbit hole that is the third party market of scalpers. I should be content with what I already have, but I don't know why I feel this way after getting the card, and I'm planning on returning it back to Amazon, unless I can find a reason to keep it, or maybe sell it to someone at regular price. So basically, has this happened to anyone of you, and if so, how do you combat it and be more patient esp. when we're in a shortage right now? I'm venting, I know, and I should have thought it through, but I didn't. If this is the wrong section, I do apologize.

 

[Kwyjor]

At this point I am surrounded by my clutter, and I can hardly turn around without being confronted by my wastefulness. So that does it for me.

 

[MohammedQ8]

If you were thinking about 3060 ti for long time then you better keep it and dont buy again until 5080 ti comes out hehe.

I have two pcs with 2080 ti and I can buy 3090 today if I want but I wont. I also want lg c1 but I dont think their are systems that can handle 4k that well.

I am still using 1080p tv and monitor for all my consoles and pc and they still look fine.

What I really want this year is m1 max laptop and I am waiting for 4080 ti.

 

[Xzi]

A 2060 Super is indeed quite capable enough as-is, but so long as you can still return the 3060 Ti it's really no harm no foul. I digress though: impulse shopping is a fairly widespread problem with so many retail sites/apps at our fingertips these days. There are a couple ways you can address it if it's becoming a regular or habitual thing for you. One is seeing a therapist to help figure out the root causes in your specific case. Another method is to start a collection of something that's cheap or free. For example: pogs, niche sets of trading cards, rocks/minerals, dried flowers, retro games that were printed in mass, etc. That way you can make a couple purchases a week to scratch the itch, spend only $5 - $20 each time, and still feel like you got a whole lot in return for it. Ebay, Goodwill, flea markets, and craft/hobby stores are all great options for that.

 

[MohammedQ8]

Just remember money can be collected too lol. I am very pleased with my numbers now that I want to do something like these.

 

[the_randomizer]

A 2060 Super is indeed quite capable enough as-is, but so long as you can still return the 3060 Ti it's really no harm no foul. I digress though: impulse shopping is a fairly widespread problem with so many retail sites/apps at our fingertips these days. There are a couple ways you can address it if it's becoming a regular or habitual thing for you. One is seeing a therapist to help figure out the root causes in your specific case. Another method is to start a collection of something that's cheap or free. For example: pogs, niche sets of trading cards, rocks/minerals, dried flowers, retro games that were printed in mass, etc. That way you can make a couple purchases a week to scratch the itch, spend only $5 - $20 each time, and still feel like you got a whole lot in return for it. Ebay, Goodwill, flea markets, and craft/hobby stores are all great options for that.

My rationale is that I already have a 4K TV and consoles, so that itch has been scratched already so to speak. A 4K monitor and GPU for my PC would be quite a bit more money, and I don't think I quite need that fidelity on my PC yet. GPUs are still super expensive and yeah, I just need restraint and patience, mostly. I'm just torn as to what GPU I should keep at this point, mostly.

Edit: I have an old 1660 TI that a good friend of mine that is buying, which would give a nice chunk of change. Maybe that will take some off some the sting.

 

[hippy dave]

The world has gone to shit, treat yourself sometimes.
A 20% markup isn't that bad as scalps go tbh.

 

[Deleted member 514389]

Thats why:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RetailTherapy


Oh and on a serious note:
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/btpeysxq3jamf6jfnanc.jpg

 

[Hayato213]

So, recently I purchased an RTX 3060 TI via a third party on Amazon on a whim. To give some background, I was about to embark on a six-day workweek to cover for a coworker who was on vacation at the time. As you know, my job gets stressful from time to time, and being a long stretch of workdays, I felt the urge to get myself something for sticking it out, for doing something I've never done at any job in the past. I've been working here for over two years and it's been a fantastic place to work, everyone treats each other with respect and kindness, supervisors actually care about their teammates and what have you. Anyway, back to my rant, so I got the card a few days ago, but I'm starting to get remorse for having spent *sigh* 850 dollars on the bloody thing, roughly 20% above the MSRP for this particular MSI card. Just because I had the money doesn't make it necessarily the right thing to just splurge at the drop of a hat, when any other cheaper thing would have sufficed. My rationale for doing this was to mitigate stress and help motivate me for having gone through the long work week and to commemorate working over two years. This is where I get conflicted, I already have the following:

- A 4K QLED TV
- A PS5 Digital
- An Xbox Series X

I didn't need the upgrade, my 2060 S is still quite capable for 1440p on games that consoles can't run at 30 fps (Crash N Sane Trilogy for example, locked at 30 fps on consoles). I really need to be more patient with waiting to see if and when things get back to normal, I should have waited till it was at MSRP or on a sale of some kind, but no, like a fool I dived into the rabbit hole that is the third party market of scalpers. I should be content with what I already have, but I don't know why I feel this way after getting the card, and I'm planning on returning it back to Amazon, unless I can find a reason to keep it, or maybe sell it to someone at regular price. So basically, has this happened to anyone of you, and if so, how do you combat it and be more patient esp. when we're in a shortage right now? I'm venting, I know, and I should have thought it through, but I didn't. If this is the wrong section, I do apologize.

20% ain't bad, if you can return it sure return it, it isn't as bad as the PS5 and Xbox Series X price been going, like 40-50% extra off retail price, there is always restock alerts on nowinstock

 

[the_randomizer]

The world has gone to shit, treat yourself sometimes.
A 20% markup isn't that bad as scalps go tbh.

Right and I'm leaning more towards keeping it. Problem is I'm somewhat paranoid about my card freaking out when I dare play 1440p 120 Hz or something. I also have a 4k 60 hz TV with 4k consoles, does a 1440p pc still fit in? That's why I'm torn.

 

[RandomUser]

It sounds like you have already decided. Just in case:
Go ahead and keep it and use it. The inflated/overprice may never cease anytime soon. Just enjoy it and relish the fact that you have it. Don't think too much about the money or the amount you spent.
I mean the card was worth the extra expense to you, at the time and probably still is. Having a buyers remorse happens and perhaps the way to deal with that is just don't worry about the money spent and having something on hand can be more satisfying. Also time will help ease the remorse as well. You'll probably forget or wont care how much money you spent on the card in the future anyways.

 

[the_randomizer]

It sounds like you have already decided. Just in case:
Go ahead and keep it and use it. The inflated/overprice may never cease anytime soon. Just enjoy it and relish the fact that you have it. Don't think too much about the money or the amount you spent.
I mean the card was worth the extra expense to you, at the time and probably still is. Having a buyers remorse happens and perhaps the way to deal with that is just don't worry about the money spent and having something on hand can be more satisfying. Also time will help ease the remorse as well. You'll probably forget or wont care how much money you spent on the card in the future anyways.

On a more positive note, I have an old 1660 TI that a good friend of mine is willing to pay and take off my hands, so that will mitigate costs somewhat.
I'll keep the card after all, but what I want to know is, is there still a place for my 1440p rig in my bedroom along with my 4KTV setup in the family room downstairs? I know there are games that consoles don't have or don't run at high framerates, plus emulation on an IPS is glorious. Yeah, I admit that I wasn't thinking straight last night as I've been stressed, but these replies do put my fears at ease

 

[RandomUser]

On a more positive note, I have an old 1660 TI that a good friend of mine is willing to pay and take off my hands, so that will mitigate costs somewhat.
I'll keep the card after all, but what I want to know is, is there still a place for my 1440p rig in my bedroom along with my 4KTV setup in the family room downstairs? I know there are games that consoles don't have or don't run at high framerates, plus emulation on an IPS is glorious. Yeah, I admit that I wasn't thinking straight last night as I've been stressed, but these replies do put my fears at ease

Not knowing your living circumstances, I would guess to say yes. Your rig is setup in your bedroom and your TV in your living room. At least, if your family wants to watch TV or play a different game you don't feel like playing, you can still play some games on your PC and, you may need or enjoy the privacy to do other things on your PC. Perhaps they're works that needs to be done from your computer and with it isolated from the living room is probably more beneficial, Unless you're living on your own and have your own place.

 

[the_randomizer]

Not knowing your living circumstances, I would guess to say yes. Your rig is setup in your bedroom and your TV in your living room. At least, if your family wants to watch TV or play a different game you don't feel like playing, you can still play some games on your PC and, you may need or enjoy the privacy to do other things on your PC. Perhaps they're works that needs to be done from your computer and with it isolated from the living room is probably more beneficial, Unless you're living on your own and have your own place.

Currently living at home due to various circumstances, and having a PC in my room and the 4K stuff in the TV room is indeed a good setup methinks. I just gotta swap the 3060 TI sometime and keep my 2060 S in storage. I'll likely run DDU to completely wipe and clean install the drivers as installation after installation can corrupt GPU drivers over time.

 

[RandomUser]

Currently living at home due to various circumstances, and having a PC in my room and the 4K stuff in the TV room is indeed a good setup methinks. I just gotta swap the 3060 TI sometime and keep my 2060 S in storage. I'll likely run DDU to completely wipe and clean install the drivers as installation after installation can corrupt GPU drivers over time.

Good idea, you might need it, if the 3060 TI decides to conk out in the future. The 2060 S could get you by in a pinch until you're able to buy a replacement. Although this shouldn't happen for a while though or may never happen at all. I did have a 690 GTX card suddenly got wonky and it acted like a basic video card and Microsoft basic driver kicked in if my memory serves me correctly. Sometimes the monitor would go into sleep and cannot wake it up as the video card would cease to stop sending signal and only a reboot would solve it, temporarily and at reduce functionality. I think the resolution was also was reduced as well.
I learned something new from you. I didn't know about the video driver cleaner, that is good to know. Although being spoiled on diskless OS, drastically reduces any chances of OS and it's drivers corruption. That is if the images itself remains uncorrupted. It's almost like running a freshly installed OS on reboot.

 

[zxr750j]

@the_randomizer:
You've earned it, enjoy it.

 

[the_randomizer]

Update, I decided to keep it and promptly installed it to my rig. Ran safe mode then DDU and did a complete clean driver install to be safe (as drivers can get corrupted if installed on top of each other over time). The nvidia driver "clean install" is nothing more than a placebo effect, running DDU in safe mode is the only legit way to clean install drivers. That said, installed without a hitch

I feel like I've wasted your guys' time with my rant thread, but thank you all for hearing me out

 

[RandomUser]

I feel like I've wasted your guys' time with my rant thread, but thank you all for hearing me out

Nah, you didn't waste my time, I got to help you out, so time well spent. Also glad everyone here helped out a fellow member, that is what makes this forum awesome. It is good to vent sometimes.

 

[r5xscn]

Can you teach me how to splurge on things? I have the exact opposite of your behavior of splurging. I am afraid of the depreciation of items and perhaps overthink before I buy something even when I need it. I always try to utilize the resources that I already have. I like seeing money in my bank account too. I think I have a problem.

 

[DarkCoffe64]

It's that dopamine hit when ya get yourself something you really, really wanted, even if it ends up being a bit of a waste of money, eh.
As the euphoria fades, you then get buyers remorse and the like.

I recently spent like 70 bucks in art commissions, are they of any use? Absolutely not, would say it's a complete waste of money, but there's something special about receiving art that's, like, unique just for yourself, and welp... it's some hella good and adorbs art, ahah <3

We only live once, life usually sucks, guess I wanna try enjoy it while I'm still not dead, eh.