Dear Lee,

“You only regret what you don’t buy” is stitched on a needlepoint pillow in our library. It has been Ralph’s motto since the earliest days of our marriage. We wrote about some of our regrets a few months ago (see Kovels newsletter, January 2008).
Now we’re in good company. The Wall Street Journal ran a column about regrets awhile ago and wondered “whether a single, simple purchase could have changed many other choices, too.” The columnist must have had a much larger bank account than ours, since his regrets included a black sapphire and an apartment in Prague. He doesn’t think you should buy everything that tempts you, but that you should, every now and then, make a bold, even foolhardy, purchase.
Our printed textile collection started with an impulsive bid at an auction for a group of seven historic fabrics. An opal pendant Ralph spent far too much on is now one of Terry’s favorite pieces. Our flat wooden Indian was almost a joke. No one could tell us how old it was, where it came from or who made it. But we liked it. You can see it still standing guard in our hall.
The purchases we have made without a single regret have been our best buys. We use them, enjoy them and fondly recall the trips that led to the purchases. Going antiquing this fall? Be brave, be a little reckless, follow your passion-and don’t take the chance you’ll regret what you don’t buy. But remember: your purchase will need a ride home, so don’t be too reckless. Save enough money to buy gas.