Buying Decision I

August 19, 2013, 5 days after I landed Ann Arbor, I bought a used bike, which cost me US$280 including lock and helmet. Two days after I made the decision, I start to think that this is actually not a very good choice.

Major trigger: Riding to and from lab takes only 5 minutes (takes 15-20 minutes to walk) and that is quick which is good. However, there involves many uphills on the way back dorm.

Now I need to climb hill everyday by riding the bike. I need to find a place to keep it when it rains or snows. I need to take care of it and prevent it from rusting. Apart from costing me $280. Good thing is I have more chance to do exercise.

So, Four vs two. A total disadvantage to buy one.


After this lesson, I guess I need to learn how to buy right things.


Buying things is not like downloading a software or apps where you can uninstall it.
Buying things is not like taking a picture in a digital camera where you can delete it.
Buying things is not like writing using a pencil where you can erase it.

In many cases, you cannot return the items that you have bought. Therefore, we need to decide carefully before making a buying decision, especially for routine use items.


Here is what I personally think about after a 5 minutes shower:
I should write down every advantages and disadvantages after buying that stuff. Of course money is one of the factors. Then allow a few days, or even a week (depending on the price of that items) for me to virtually experience that. For example, when I need to buy a bike, I should have walked to and from the lab route and see if I would like it to be biking instead of walking. And maybe after a few days, it rains. Then I can start to think about taking care of the bike when it rains, etc...

After all this is only a rough idea of how this work. I hope after a few of this practice (I may need to decide whether to buy a car or a house later). I will grow and can make better decision on buying.

P.S. I found a book which was bought by one of my good friends two years ago. It is called "The Decision Book". It is so amazing that after two years, I found that it is very useful for me. So lucky that I brought it along with me to the US.