11 Items You Regret Buying With Birthday Money
Getting birthday money always feels like winning a mini lottery. However, once the excitement fades, some of those “had to have it” purchases turn into instant regret.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Spending birthday money is often a mix of excitement and impulse, especially when you’re finally free to choose whatever you want. But without much thought or experience, those purchases can turn out to be disappointing, short-lived, or completely useless. Whether it was trendy, overhyped, or just poorly made, many of these items lose their shine fast. Looking back, they serve as reminders that not everything worth wanting is worth buying.
1. Expensive Trendy Sneakers
Ray Piedra on Pexels
They looked amazing in the store and felt like a power move to buy. But after a few wears, they either scuffed easily or hurt your feet. The price tag did not match the long-term value. They often sat in the closet while your old sneakers stayed in rotation. Fashion fades fast when comfort is not included.
2. Giant Stuffed Animal
Vika Glitter on pexels
It felt like a dream to own a massive teddy bear or unicorn plush. But after one night, it became an awkward, space-consuming roommate. Cleaning it was a nightmare, and it didn’t really serve any purpose. Over time, it ended up in the attic or donation pile. The fun was real, but it didn’t last.
3. Cheap Tablet or Tech Gadget
picjumbo.com on Pexels
Tech on sale always seems like a good idea until it starts lagging or freezing. That birthday tablet barely ran basic apps and had poor battery life. Even watching videos became frustrating. It reminded you why some tech is cheap for a reason. Within weeks, it was back in the box or forgotten in a drawer.
4. DIY Slime Kit
cottonbro studio on pexels
It promised fun and creativity, but reality got messy fast. The slime never looked like the photos and stuck to everything. Some ingredients leaked or dried out quickly. Parents were not happy about stained clothes and furniture. What started as fun turned into clean-up duty.
5. Subscription Boxes
Ron Lach on Pexels
The first box was exciting, filled with little surprises and samples. However, by the third month, the items felt repetitive or low in quality. The monthly charge ate up more of your money than expected. Unsubscribing was a hassle, and the thrill disappeared. You realized you were paying for packaging and not much else.
6. Novelty Electronics (like Mini Projectors)
Vuslat on Pexels
Mini projectors and quirky gadgets promise big entertainment in a small package. In practice, the picture was blurry and the sound weak. Setup took longer than expected, and it never worked as smoothly as the ad showed. It collected dust after one or two uses. Birthday money vanished with one underwhelming experience.
7. Designer Phone Case
Arun Thomas on Pexels
It was shiny, bold, and probably matched your outfit, but within days, it cracked, peeled, or didn’t protect your phone at all. For what it cost, a better case could have saved your screen. You learned quickly that style should not outweigh function. Regret came with every dropped phone.
8. Trendy Clothing You Never Wore
Deemini Marvels on Pexels
You bought that one outfit you were sure you’d wear to everything. Then, it sat in the closet with tags still attached. It didn’t fit quite right, or the trend passed too quickly. The money could’ve gone to something more practical. Style impulses are often the first regrets.
9. Fake Gaming Console or Retro Emulator
Déji Fadahunsi on Pexels
The box promised hundreds of classic games, but most didn’t work, and the controls were awful. It turned out to be a cheaply made knockoff with disappointing performance. Even nostalgia couldn’t save it. It was a quick lesson in “too good to be true.”
10. Overpriced Skincare or Makeup
Jhong Pascua on Pexels
You splurged on that one product influencers swore by, but it didn’t suit your skin, smelled weird, or caused breakouts. Returning it was not an option, and you didn’t want to throw it away either. The pretty packaging did most of the convincing. Unfortunately, your skin needed more than hype.
11. LED Room Lights or Projectors
Cesar Alcantar on pexels
At first, the lights made your room look like a party, but the remote got lost, the adhesive failed, and the novelty wore off. They were fun for a few nights but not practical for long-term use. Once the batteries died, so did the interest. Birthday money deserved a longer-lasting reward.