3 Characteristics Of The Perfect Souvenir
Growing up, I was a collector. Starting with rocks and mini erasers, progressing to Beanie Babies and clocks. I loved how a collection was all the same item, yet they were all unique. The biggest culprit for my collections was souvenirs.
I have a weakness for souvenir shops. When I am in them, my frontal lobe goes on vacation and limbic system takes over, leading to impulse purchases and regret. Pair that with my Type A personality of needing everything organized and orderly, and those impulse buys shortly get discarded because they don't fit with what I have at home, leading to more regret for the loss of money and being wasteful.
Until I found the perfect souvenir.
A pin.
It is perfect for me because:
It is low cost.
Pins typically cost between $2-$8. I used to collect snow globes. Souvenir snow globes average around $20 on the low end. My wallet was happy when I switched from spending $20 on a souvenir to $2.
It doesn't take up luggage space.
A pin usually takes up less space than a quarter. You don't have to strategically plan to leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs when you pack because a pin will fit. If somehow you absolutely can not fit it in your suitcase, you can always wear it home instead!
It doesn't clutter the house.
In the past, I have collected shot glasses and snow globes. These take room, which is why I eventually got rid of them. Pins don't take much space. They may be stored in a small decorative box or displayed. Mine are displayed on a world map mounted on cork board.
It satisfies my desire to buy souvenirs.
I will always be a souvenir person. Now, I have a plan when I go into a souvenir shop. Instead of impulse buys and regret, I leave with a small pin and a little dopamine rush from my purchase.
No-spend is about knowing yourself and what will/won't work for you. A souvenir isn't a "need", but knowing myself, it is something I will spend money on even if I tell myself I don't need it; because, "treat yo' self" you are on vacation!
Finding my perfect souvenir has helped me save money, avoid being wasteful, and satisfy my desire to shop while on vacation.
How will you plan to avoid overspending during your next vacation?