Most people on this board have stories about large purchases that they regret - cars bought on credit, houses bigger than needed, etc.
What I'm curious about: there are some purchases that totally make sense intellectually, and that would be a great recommendation... for someone else. Basically, things we walked into thinking, logically, that it was a good decision, and then figuring out it wasn't right for us. What are yours? (Also, any tips for avoiding these mistakes?)
I'll start: front-loading washer and dryer. Energy use: great. Water use: great. Price: bought on sale and then the store had a hiccup, which meant we got the super-upgraded model for 1/2 the price of the entry-level model, and cheaper than what we could find used. We can wash duvets, coats, and things that can't take the wringing of a top-loading machine. BUT. A year later, we moved to a place where water conservation isn't an issue at all (like, the stream at the back of the house is the overflow from the well, and feeds the fish pond), we have to leave the door to the washer open or it gets musty and mouldy and smelly and gross (and then the toddler hides things in it as soon as the door is open, so we keep finding blocks, cars, and doll shoes in there) AND we can't soak clothing in the washing machine. Pain in the ASS.