De-influencing thread - reasons why NOT to buy things

[Whowhatwerewolf]

Like quite a few people on here I have been trying to reduce or eliminate buying new clothes or beauty treats in 2026. For the most part I've failed miserably but I'm going to keep trying. One thing that helps me greatly is being de-influenced from a purchase. Unfortunately I'm very easily influenced by advertisements but my saving grace is that I can be easily dissuaded from buying things also.

Recently two lovely posters (@Johanna and @Cortietat ) managed to stop me from buying overpriced Sweaty Betty pilates socks and a potentially somewhat wonky Eribé fair isle cardigan respectively by telling me what wasn't so great about these items. I'm so appreciative as this has saved me heaps of money. So I was wondering whether anyone else has anything they'd liked to be talked out of purchasing?

The idea is to post something on this thread that you're considering buying despite trying to save money via a no buy or low buy commitment or simply because you're not sure about a purchase. Other posters respond to say why you shouldn't buy. If anyone thinks what you're considering getting is the best thing since sliced bread and you should definitely proceed they keep quiet about it please as this isn't the thread for that.

So...is anyone in?

Love my Moka pot in theory, but in practice it always bubbles over before I can take it off the stove, meaning that I spend a lot of time cleaning coffee off the hob. On the other hand, the wool duvet is absolutely brilliant - regulates my menopausal temperature better!

First thoughts (if you want to spend that, fair dos)

How do you clean it?
It looks like it would lose its shape in minutes.

It’s such a distinct item that it would become your ‘signature look’.

Every time you would wear it, I would think ‘Oh the cardi is back’

Its just not subtle enough to be a key wardrobe piece and I be those sleeves would annoy the hell out of you.

This thread needs to be renamed -

Give me the ick, before I spend my pennies

Awk now - looks good for three minutes on TV but in reality it'll be unwieldly, won't suit many things, and will be so obvious you only bought it because the company sent it to BBC to influence them and someone used it for novelty factor.

If you hadn't seen it on TV and it was in a charity shop you wouldn't have paid £20 for it.

If you have £500 spare - stick it in your ISA on a tracker and watch it turn into £1000 in few years.

Nope you need a Henry under those conditions.

The white bits on the sleeve look like huge claws.

I have never heard of these. I will check them out, thanks!

@scoobydeedoo I bought this exact same nail polish last year. Firstly, it makes my nails look like I’ve been scrubbing floors for 8 hours as it made my nails sort of translucent rather than pink and white.
Secondly, I kept the nail polish out of sunlight and in its box and it has all dried up and gone weird. Bottle was tightened up correctly!
Try a Sally Hansen clear varnish instead as I’m not giving Dior any more of my money for nail polish. The skincare range is excellent but the foundation is terrible.

Yeah, I mostly scrunch my hair and don't even dry it. Or leave it to dry naturally and then straighten. I am really rubbish at blow drying!

I need help to stop wanting the Hermés Tyger Tyger scarf reissue. https://www.hermes.com/se/en/product/tyger-tyger-scarf-70-H984285Sv05/

• I can tie scarves
• I usually buy them for important life milestones
• I wear my scarves with more casual clothes so I don’t look like a flight attendant
• I am pro at caring for silk and I don’t mind the hassle
• I can wear scarves without getting makeup on them
• the linked one is in my colours

I don’t really have good arguments against getting the scarf off my wish list, tbh. Help!

edit: typo

Even tied on the model’s head it looks like a slightly avant garde 1950s housewife. You can’t actually see the tiger if you tie it, so the motif is lost.

That tiger print would look great on the wall, but as pp said, you won't actually be able to SEE the tiger so what's the point? Also, how do you tie A square scarf?

An Aeropress would be less messy than a Moka pot and can still be taken camping....

Ok not going to lie @northbacchus I absolutely love my wool duvet, I have had it for years and it's excellent.

Wasn't a big fan of the Moka Pot although I now use a fancier Sage machine

What about a Tigger bandana instead @CortieTat ? It's meant for dogs but I'm sure people could use it.

Our moka pot is good and I think it’s a money (and environment) saver in the long run as you just shove coffee and water in it and heat it. No pods, filters etc.

Sorry I realise not in the spirit… but if it’s actually potentially cheaper than other things hopefully ok.

thank you! i needed to hear this (about the bag). you are so right, it's a thought that has whizzed through my mind but i haven't really listened to it until now. it's just not the right shade.

That tiger has the expression of a guy you go on one date with and he uses it as an excuse to pour out all his troubles at you starting with how unfair his parents were at Christmas 1989 and ending with how he’s overlooked at work because no one understands his genius.

😂😂😂😂😂

The scarf is exquisite (sorry) and a beautiful piece of art. However, worn on the head, it’s a bit ‘Princess Anne’ and does anyone wear scarves like that nowadays?

Actually, I don’t see scarves worn at all nowadays, apart from the woolly kind on a cold day.

I actually like this better!

I also have fine hair and bought the seaweed shampoo @DuckbilledSplatterPuff - it’s certainly no miracle cure. I find clear shampoos (the seaweed shampoo is opaque) the best for my hair…

I was thinking of trying Brazil nuts. I am not sure anything will help me sleep really. The biggest problem is being woken by my toddler. Maybe actually I need something to help me be perkier with broken eel!

I wouldn’t buy any skirt with a man advertising it. Everyone can wear what they like and obviously i know about kilts but just no.

I have one of these in navy that I believed would be in constant use. The size is impractical though, so it spends a lot of time in it's dustbag. It can barely hold a purse, phone, keys, so you can't bring any make up or whatever. Actually, I wish I had spent more and got a bigger one!