Buy quality, not quantity

Whenever I buy something - a product, service or experience - there are two conflicting motivations that are driving me. I can buy something really inexpensive - cheap would be a better word. And when I make the purchase it feels as though I got a good deal because I didn't spend a lot of money. But every time I use it, I have this subtle feeling of dissatisfaction, this shrunken, pinched feeling, because it wasn't what I really wanted, because I feel that I'm worth more and I denied myself.

Instead of buying something cheap, suppose I buy what I really want, even if it is expensive. When I make the purchase I feel really extravagant, almost as though I don't deserve this beautiful, well-designed, well-crafted object. But, every time I use it I feel a warm glow inside. I feel as though I have enriched my life with something special, and that makes me feel special. It affirms that I am a special, worthwhile person, deserving of the best. Since our dreams and desires always exceed our resources, perhaps it is better to buy and own fewer objects, but have them be what we really want. In other words...

Don't go for what you know you can get;

Go for what you really want.