How do you stop obsessing over money you already wasted?

[Anonymous]

Over the winter, my husband and I got really excited about starting a new hobby. In our enthusiasm, we started buying all kinds of supplies so we’d be fully prepared once the weather warmed up. Unfortunately, we ended up buying a lot of the wrong things.

In his excitement, my husband unpackaged many of the items right away, and some of the others are past the return window. I tried selling them on Marketplace, but people in this hobby seem to want everything brand new and sealed, so there’s been almost no interest, even at prices that are basically giving them away.

At this point, I have a pile ready to donate, but I’m irrationally annoyed with both of us over the wasted money. Realistically, it’s only about $200, which I know isn’t life-changing, but I keep thinking about all the other things we could’ve done with that money, and it makes me so frustrated.

Logically, I know we basically spent $66 a month on “winter excitement” and hopeful anticipation, but spring me is having a hard time accepting that.

Does anyone have a quote, phrase, mindset shift, or brilliant sentence that helps you let go of money you’ve already wasted?

[Anonymous]

I made a mistake costing us thousands in taxes (unaware of a very specific IRS rule). We'll, hundreds in payment, but we would have gotten thousands as a refund were it not for my dumb mistake.

I beat myself up about it for a week, put off spending on other things until I could replenish our bank account, and moved on. What else can you do?

[Anonymous]

pickleball?

[Anonymous]

My mother lost close to 200k to a scammer, and then even though I took over things, I made some mistakes when I downsized her, leaving the estate clean out to a company that did not properly research/sell some of the art objects (later, I discovered some asian pieces they sold for 250$ resold at auction for 10k....). It still eats at me, though my greatest regret now is selling so many things from my grandparents, but i have to remind myself that its just money, its water under the bridge, and I did the best I could at the time, navigating my mother's health/dementia crisis from across the country, while also I had started anew job and had my own teen in crisis.

Hopefully the loss of 200k and my family heirlooms will make you feel better!

But seriously, I think that I need to forgive myself, I did the best I could, and I need to forgive my mom--she didn't understand what was happening. People make mistakes, and yours was a minor one, so chin up. Plus, I think about the folks who scored bargains at the estate sale--if you donate these items someone will be very happy! (I do not have such feelings toward the scammer of course).

[Anonymous]

When you lose money, you are simply losing “something”……however when you lose time, you are losing something actually valuable.

🫢 Wait - - that is some horrid paraphrasing on my end.
->> Let me try to find the actual quote & I will come back.

Lol!

[Anonymous]

What was the hobby, OP?

[Anonymous]

Learn from it and move on.

[Anonymous]

I try and see everything as a lesson I can learn and benefit from: That one annoying, costly mistake now might prevent me from making a greater mistake of the same kind in the future. So in your case, it would have taught me to not drop a lot before I first try out the activity, that it may be wise to rent the material first...I make a mental note, try and actually feel thankful for the lesson, and move on.

[Anonymous]

It's "stupid tax" as Dave Ramsay calls it. Not a fan of his but the term fits. You paid it and now you're smarter.

[Anonymous]

I paid the IRS online and accidentally pulled down the menu for "savings account," but it was a checking account. It bounced and I paid it 2 days later and was charged $1,000 for fee and interest. It killed me, and I appealed and lost. What's done is done.

ou win some, you lose some. Live by that.

[Anonymous]

Donate right away. Not seeing the stuff makes it easier to get over. The reminder is painful.

[Anonymous]

"What's done is done. Lesson learned. Not worth any more time or brain space."

At least that is what I would say to myself.

[Anonymous]

look forward, not back. Don't make the same mistake twice. Consider it a valuable lesson

[Anonymous]

Donate it and be happy.

I'd be more upset that you are you so basic that you got excited about a hobby where *everyone* is more interested in shopping for new gear instead of enjoying the hobby.

[Anonymous]

I believe the saying is “lesson learned” coupled with the philosophy of “less is more” and only buying what you truly need.

Practically speaking, $200 is NBD.

At least you didn’t sink thousands into golf clubs or skis…or stupid camping gear.

You can probably find a bunch of random stuff to sell online to make up for the $200.

Just move on.