The Truth About Wasteful Spending in Retirement | A 66-Year-Old Sorts “Want” from “Need”

— The question I ask myself before every purchase

Before buying anything, I ask myself this: “Do I actually want this? Or do I need it?”

They sound similar, but they’re completely different. And that difference is what separates purchases you regret from purchases that last.

Today, I’m writing down my own record of mistakes and satisfactions.

I’m Not Really a Big Spender

To begin with, I don’t buy much. Once a week, I pick up household essentials. My wife handles the groceries — I give her 10,000 yen at a time to manage. One credit card is enough. I rarely make big purchases.

Still, there are moments when I think “this looks good” and buy it. And over time, you can clearly see what stays and what disappears.

Things I’m Glad I Bought (There Was a Reason)

Recently, two purchases have stood out as good decisions:

A MacBook Air — for writing this blog.
A printer — because I often need to make copies as a neighborhood association officer.

What these have in common is that the purpose was clear from the start.

Writing the blog → I use it every day.
Making copies → I actually need it.

In other words, things you have an ongoing reason to use are things that last.

Things I Didn’t Need to Buy (It Was Impulse)

On the other hand, there were purchases like these:

A vibrating exercise platform (about $200) → Stopped using it after a few months.
A high-pressure washer (about $130) → Used it once at year-end, and that was it.
A keyboard instrument (about $200) → Practiced a little, but never had time.

At the time, I thought each one “might be nice.” But looking back now, none of them were necessary.

It’s Not Just About Things — Life Works the Same Way

This pattern isn’t limited to physical goods.

Over the years, I tried several correspondence courses: a mechanic’s certification course, a portrait drawing class, various distance learning programs. Each one cost around $700. I tried them more than once.

“Maybe this will change me.” That’s what I thought each time I started.

But I couldn’t keep going.

In the end, what remained wasn’t the desire to change — it was only the things I actually stuck with.

One Simple Way to Prevent Impulse Buying

As a side note, there’s a simple method to reduce wasteful spending:

“If you suddenly want something, don’t buy it right away.”

If it’s something you already knew you needed, go ahead and buy it. But if it’s something that caught your eye on the spot — in a store or online — step away first.

When you feel the urge, take a photo or write it down. Then revisit it after some time has passed.

The surprising thing is, most of the things you desperately wanted will no longer matter at all.

Maybe that’s all momentary desire really amounts to.

This method works just as well for adults. I’ve avoided many unnecessary purchases simply by “waiting a little.”

My Criteria for Deciding Whether to Buy

These days, before I buy anything, I think about this:

Will I actually use it?
Will I still be using it a year from now?
Is the purpose clear?
Can I keep it up?
Would I be fine without it?

If I can’t answer these questions, the item almost always fades away.

What Does “Wanting Something” Really Mean?

I’m not much of a materialist. But I still have moments where I think, “I want that.”

Over time, though, the pattern becomes clear:

Things with a reason → They stay.
Things bought on impulse → They disappear.

For me, “wanting something” really means having an ongoing reason to use it.

Choice Note Is a General Store

This blog, Choice Note, isn’t a place that pushes specific products. It covers all kinds of topics — life, choices, mistakes, and acceptance — like an old-fashioned general store.

Sometimes you’ll find what you’re looking for. Sometimes you won’t. But I hope to leave behind at least a few hints to help you choose.

If you’re searching for something, try browsing the related articles or using the site search. And if you don’t find it — well, that’s an answer too.