Work stressing me out last night. Lying in bed on the iPad, can’t turn the brain off, so start surfing WB, CT, and the online retailers I haunt. Next thing you know, I’ve bought 6 bottles of champagne I had no intention of purchasing. Immediate dopamine rush, stress gone, off to bed.
I frequently walk away from or delay $25 purchases, but with wine, it’s like the math is all different and doesn’t matter. What is my problem and why do I make large impulse buys just with wine?
I’m most like David, it seems, in that it doesn’t really matter how I feel. I just love to buy wine. This being said, I’ve been trying to put my finger on exactly why I buy in spurts while sometimes going a month or two without much buying. I have noticed I a most dangerous after a formal tasting or visit to a wine destination.
I just can’t figure out why the wine math in is so justifiable when I’m spending it on wine versus anything else. I basically made an impulsive decision on a $700 purchase just before going to bed. Makes no sense.
For some reason I can’t share the amazon link, but “Collecting: an Unruly Passion” by Werner Muensterberger explains it pretty well.
That book changed my life. In short, you’re making a temporary bargain against death. Warren Zevon (maybe quoting someting) said we buy books because we think we’re buying the time to read them. We buy wine anticipating a pleasant future moment in which we’re still alive to enjoy something. Sure, there are other reasons too but as a coping mechanism for stress, it makes sense.
I think you’re on to something here. I often find myself thinking about who I will drink wines with, usually my grown boys and wife many years from now.
I used to but changed jobs and do not have that issue now.
I do understand what you mean about justifying buying wine vs something else for the same cost. I have drastically reduced my purchases this year vs the last five so I have more disposable income sitting around, but still have a problem spending it on other things for some reason.