10 things I bought out of FOMO that cost me big
It's easy to spend money not because you need something, but because you want to feel like you're keeping up. Sometimes it's with trends, sometimes it's with people around you, and sometimes it's your own expectations.
I've bought plenty of things thinking they'd help me "catch up," only to realize later that I didn't actually need them. Those purchases gave me a short-term boost but didn't do much for my long-term goals. Here are ten times I spent money just to feel caught up.
Buying the latest phone
When new models came out, it felt like everyone was upgrading. Even if my phone still worked fine, I convinced myself I needed the newest version to stay current.
The truth was, the upgrade didn't really change my day-to-day life. I ended up spending hundreds of dollars just to feel like I wasn't behind, and that money could've gone toward real priorities.
Filling a cart with trendy clothes
Seeing people post new outfits online or showing up with fresh wardrobes made me feel behind. So I'd head to the store and load up on whatever was trending.
Most of those pieces didn't last long in my closet. They either went out of style quickly or didn't fit my actual lifestyle. It was money spent on appearances, not value.
Joining subscription boxes
For a while, it seemed like everyone was unboxing something-makeup, snacks, clothes. I signed up thinking I'd be part of that experience and not miss out.
But half the time, the products weren't what I wanted or needed. I paid more to feel included, and the boxes ended up creating clutter instead of adding value.
Overspending on kids' toys
It's easy to feel like your kids need everything their friends have. I bought toys and gadgets, not because they needed them, but so they wouldn't feel left out.
Most of those toys didn't hold their attention for long. I realized I was spending money to soothe my own guilt more than to meet their actual needs.
Buying workout gear to look the part
When I wanted to start getting healthier, I felt like I needed all the latest clothes, shoes, and accessories to really commit. It felt like catching up with the "fit" crowd.
The gear didn't make me more consistent. In fact, some of it sat unused. I learned that progress came from showing up, not from how much I spent on the look.
Redecorating to match trends
Seeing new home trends made me feel like my space was outdated. I'd spend on throw pillows, wall art, or small furniture to make my house look current.
Those quick buys didn't hold up. Trends shifted again, and I was left with things I didn't even like six months later. It cost more to keep "catching up" than to decorate intentionally.
Buying fancy kitchen gadgets
I've been guilty of buying new gadgets because everyone else seemed to have them-air fryers, mixers, specialty tools. I wanted to feel like I was keeping up in the kitchen.
But a lot of those gadgets ended up taking up space instead of being used. Cooking well had less to do with the latest tools and more to do with actually cooking.
Splurging on vacations
Sometimes it felt like everyone was traveling, and I didn't want my family to be the ones missing out. So I booked trips we couldn't really afford at the time.
The memories were good, but the debt wasn't worth it. Catching up with other people's highlight reels came at a price that set us back financially.
Upgrading cars too soon
Driving an older car made me feel behind, so I traded in vehicles before it was really necessary. Having something newer felt like a way to keep pace.
But the car payments that came with those upgrades weighed us down. In the long run, keeping a reliable older car would've been the smarter move.
Stocking up on "must-have" tech
When smart devices and home assistants started showing up everywhere, I felt like we needed them too. I spent money to make our home feel modern.
In reality, those gadgets didn't add much value to our daily lives. They were nice for a while, but most weren't worth the cost, especially since they quickly became outdated.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
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