[ SECRET POST #1799 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #1799 ⌋


Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.


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Notes:

IP logging is on because of the youtube redirects.

Secrets Left to Post: 06 pages, 144 secrets from Secret Submission Post #257.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 1 2 - broken links ], [ 1 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 1 - too big ], [ 0 - repeats ]
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments and concerns should go here.

Comments

[fscom.livejournal.com]

01. http://i44.tinypic.com/16awnlj.png

[(Anonymous)]

I used to collect merchandise, probably not a lot (I didn't have a lot of money) but I ended up stopping when I realized that all merchandise tends to do is sit in the back of a closet and collect dust.

So I made a rule for myself, I cannot buy things unless they have some sort of USE, be it a book, a dvd, a cd, clothing, whatever, there has to be some entertainment value past sitting on a shelf.

This rule did end up making my dvd collection HUGE but I think it helps, because I no longer buy things for the "collectable" reasons. Collections can often be a black hole for your money because if you love complete collections like I do, you always feel bad when you don't have everything (which is a problem because I never could afford everything.)

[(Anonymous)]

Did your parents ever get rid of your stuff without your knowledge? That could be why you're so preoccupied with material things (I definitely know that's the case with me when it comes to the posessions I have).

[cloud-riven.livejournal.com]

That's. Yes you might want help with that if your budgeting isn't manageable :(

Why don't you take advantage of buying used copies? If you're in the US, services like Glyde (http://www.glyde.com/) are pretty swell.

[silverau.livejournal.com]

Uuh, yeah, that definitely sounds like a problem. :/ Hope you can get the help you need.

[(Anonymous)]

I once missed the chance of getting Miku + the twin (the Vocaloids) figma figures for $140 USD, total. Now the Miku one alone is up to $130. I really regret it.

In general, I'm really bad at spending money, and recently getting hooked on ThinkGeek is a huge contributor to it. I'm still trying to figure out how to shake the habit of seeing something I want, and buying it, because I have money -- even if I shouldn't be spending that money.

[(Anonymous)]

I am SORT OF like that, except it's not even that I want it after I get it. I just really, really, really want to buy it. It's almost a compulsion. This is bad because most of the merchandise for stuff I like (comics) are for kids. I usually end up buying it and then giving it away to Toys for Tots or Good Will after a year or so.

[(Anonymous)]

I've always been materialistic. I've had this happen to me too where if I don't buy it, it's gone forever. I have all that you have but my items give me the most joy. I don't think we're fucked up psychology.

[xiaa.livejournal.com]

I have this problem with doujinshi, and sometimes a few figures. The thing that scares me the most is one day, I might fall out of love with the series I like and I won't like my collection as much. Which I hope won't happen for a while.

But once I missed out on buying a doujinshi by one of my favorite artists, and 3 years later, people are trying to sell it for $80. Holy fuck.

But honestly as long as you can afford it (ie, you can feed yourself, take care of your family, etc etc) it's ok to want to buy things. As long as you aren't compensating something important, like using your child's savings bond that was meant for the college education for anime merch.

[(Anonymous)]

Ha ha, you too?

I feel the same way, except I never buy anything because I don't have the money.

It's gotten better recently, though.

Like an anon above said, I just keep thinking and thinking to myself: "Do I really need this? Will this end up in a box or in a closet a few weeks later (this has happened)?"

So like anon above, now I focus more on craving only useful things, and with some effort now I don't feel so bad about not getting those things either.

COOL STORY BRO TIME: A few months ago I saw these three amazing Harry Potter picture magazines of all the cast, locations, etc. They were gorgeous and awesome and I loved them. But, holy crap, they were beyond my budget. I couldn't afford EVEN ONE. So I went home sad that day.

That's been the only hiccup I've had recently, but aside from that I'm getting better.

(Oh, yeah, and the Homestuck music and MSPaintAdventures mechandise and the Gunnerkrigg Court books and arrrughnk,ms)

So, um, yeah, op, try to do what that anon said about focusing on only things you will use. Step by step, you can curb this. If you can, try to talk to a therapist about it; they might have a better idea of how to help you and give you good advice on what to do. Good luck!

[(Anonymous)]

You're a collector, and a large part of being a collector is getting things when you can. Do you know how often I regret not buying things for the shows I love? Now, admittedly it's better to only have one or two fandoms that you collect for, but that sounds like a money-management thing more than a therapy-thing. Do what makes you happy.

[mutantjules.livejournal.com]

I think you should tell your therapist. You probably won't have to let go COMPLETELY, just cut down to fit your life and your budget. You're allowed to buy things that make you happy! Retail therapy is widely recognized as a delightful thing. It's just when it gets obsessive that it's time to step back.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Make a budget for things, and stick to it is good advice. The advice about trying to narrow what kind of things you collect is good too. And whatever it was that you wanted so bad and didn't get in the past? Find out if it truly isn't available any more, because things do come back into print, and do end up on ebay, etc., so it may be that if you scratch that one itch, your compulsion for other things will be eased.

[van.livejournal.com]

You know, it's interesting to me that the "average" "normal" person spends hundreds of dollars every year on "trendy" new summer/spring/fall/winter clothes, and thinks almost nothing of selling/donating/throwing them away after a year or two. (i.e. "Wow, that style is so 2009...") So, why is it considered unacceptable for people to spend money on action figures or art books or statues or whatever? Sure, someone else may not get why you want to spend $400 on a piece of resin that sits on a shelf and does nothing, but I don't get why people want to spend $400 on NFL tickets that are good for shitty seats for one night.

It can be a problem, sure. Any episode of "Hoarders" can tell you that. But if you're not stealing money from your kids or getting into debt because you can't pay off your bills, it's pretty much fine. And if you're anything like me, the things you HAD TO HAVE five years ago are less "important" to you now and you can generally turn around and sell them for double, triple, sometimes five or ten times the cost you paid for them. They are collectables for a reason. Then you turn around and put that money back into new stuff. Seems like a much better "waste" of money than binge alcohol drinking on the weekends, or trendy clothes you wear for a year and have to give away, or overpriced sports tickets.

Talk to your therapist, sure. But it may also not be as big a deal as you fear.

[(Anonymous)]

I seriously could have made this secret. I understand what you are talking about, anon. I wish that I could offer some advice, but I don't really have any. :\

My problem is that I get all happy about a new fandom and go into collecting overload. Then, when my love for the fandom cools (which it ultimately does), I have all of this stuff. It's embarrassing how much stuff I have collected for fandoms that I no longer care anything about now.

I've gotten a little better on my own, but it is a long, hard struggle.

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe you should see a counselor or a psychologist instead. In my experience psychiatrists rely too much on medication.

[(Anonymous)]

Sounds a lot like OCD to me, perhaps with an element of hoarding. You should probably get help.
I'd suggest doing what anon mentioned about getting only useful items, possibly as a first step to getting better. Good luck.

[(Anonymous)]

I limit myself to only buying things that I will be willing to take out of the package and use or display. If it needs to be hoarded in the closet in it's original packaging, it's not worth having. That really cuts down on wanting limited edition breakables or ridiculously expensive prop replicas (mostly). Also, any time I buy something that's not a need (the strict definition of need, like medical insurance or gas for my car or groceries) I make a donation to charity as well, to appease my guilt.

Pick your favorite kinds of merchandise, and limit your focus. For example, for tv fandoms, I always complete my dvd sets and buy all of the related "science of" and "complete guide to" types of books, but anything else has to be extra special to come home with me.

[baka-deshi.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you probably should bring this up with your therapist, for the reasons that you yourself described:

1) It's interfering with your quality of life if it makes you sincerely, severely sad to miss out on the 'opportunity' to buy things. Maybe for one or two super-special items, sure, but regret should not be ruling your life.

2) It's straining your budget.

Don't wind up on Hoarders, yo.

[sairei.livejournal.com]

Well, the hobby business is very fast and unforgiving to your wallet even weeks after an item's been released and starting to trickle down in stock. So I understand that.

I recommend managing a budget. If you can spend wisely, go for it! I collect figures and such, it's fun.

[isa-lyxces.livejournal.com]

This is me if you replace "merch" with "books." I swear to god, crack would be cheaper because I read one of the autor's books and then I order more of amazon, and anthologies...I try to mitigate this through libraries and borrowing, though.

[kryptoncat.livejournal.com]

I would also suggest making out a budget and talking to someone about this, maybe an accountability partner who can prevent you from spending too much.

When I find myself wanting something fandomy, I usually try to look up the product on youtube to watch unboxing videos and reviews. It kind of sedates my desires. I've only bought merch for two of my fandoms (not including books/DVDs/games). It's not a lot of merch, just a few figurines, but they're on my dresser across the room from me and they make me happy. Try to ask yourself if buying a certain product will really give you a long-lasting happiness before you purchase. (And don't forget to enjoy the free things! Desktop/cell phone backgrounds, fanart, decorated profiles, etc.)

[(Anonymous)]

OP I used to be you

I went to college and got way more secure and mentally sound, and turned my life around. For a really long time I was healthy and didn't even understand what drove me to collect - it all seemed so stupid. Experiences are always worth way more than stuff.

This past year I've been unemployed and depressed and had a relapse. Super bummer. You never really get rid of it, kinda like alcoholism.

It's really hard, I have to work a lot on reasoning with myself because the urge to give in and feel the pleasure of owning is so intense, especially since I feel so crappy right now it makes me want to seek comfort behaviors. It's torture knowing that I could give myself a little thrill to brighten my day by buying something. I'm looking into free and low-cost mental health help right now, because I refuse to spiral out of control and be controlled by my addiction. I simply can't afford to buy stuff to make myself feel better.

[(Anonymous)]

I used to have a friend who loved collecting the collectable figurines from his fandoms. His desk was covered with them, his apartment was full of shelves full of them, he had boxes of them in his garage. He would proudly show them off at parties. Looking at all his figures was awesome, the collection was amazing.

Then one day we were heading home from a party at his house, and one of our mutual friends commented "You know, those figurines are cool, but every one of them is a brick in the house that he and his wife will never have."
/coolstorybro

[cleverthylacine]

You know, I recently sold several Sailor Moon toys I bought in the mid-90s for $500+ each.

It can be an investment if you pick the right stuff.