If I'm to take an educated guess, I would say that you're reading this from your mobile device and not a desktop or a PC. But wait a minute, how much did it cost you to own that cute little pocket-sized robot you're holding? A few hundred dollars? A thousand dollars? Or perhaps even more. Well, we all need a mobile device in this digital age, so fair play to you on that.

But have you ever wondered whether or not you could have used a little of the money you spent on that to invest in the stock market, purchase an online course, or invest in other markets?

Well, if you were like me, you couldn't have thought about that, because these things solve our immediate problems, plant a smile on our faces, and probably raise our societal status.

But let's face it, items like these are nothing but materialistic gratification, which only last a while (the reason why you're probably planning to buy a new mobile device soon).

But mobile smartphones aren't alone in this category of materialistic things that become obsolete with time. Here is a list of some of the things we should and should not spend our money on.

5 things you shouldn't buy

Electronics

We all desire to furnish our homes with the best set of electronics that money can buy, if possible, with the newest appliances in town. But guess what? Those sets of speakers you got last year will have an upgrade in twelve months' time; the air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, water heaters, washing machine, microwave oven, and lots more will all become obsolete with time, meaning that you'll need to change them. So ask yourself, is it worth it spending so much on something that you will be changing very soon?

Home decor fads

When you first moved into your apartment, you must have heard people saying things like, "If you want your home to be aesthetically pleasing, you have to decorate every room and corner with beautiful and elegant designs." Yes, there is no denying that. But who said it has to be like those designs in movies or magazines? Who said you have to spend hundreds of dollars to achieve an aesthetically pleasing home design? For starters, there are many do-it-yourself tips available on the internet today, find out about them, and add a unique feel to your home; instead of spending so much on designs.

Cars

Virtually everyone that has a car today wants to get a better one, right? Well, that's just the way it is with cars. The moment you're getting a model off the market, the manufacturers are already thinking about dropping a new design, thereby keeping consumers in a never-ever-satisfied state. Unless you're rich enough to always change your car when a new model drops, keeping up with the newest car models is not a smart lifestyle.

Latest Fashions

Just like cars, fashions come and go. What is in vogue today might not be one of the top 10 trends tomorrow. So there is no point spending all your hard-earned money on the latest fashions in town. From bags to shoes, clothes to other accessories, there's always going to be a new fad on the market, so why lose sleep over the latest one?

Jewelry
A piece of fancy jewelry is always cool when wrapped around the neck or wrist. They bring out the very best in our outfits and send a lovely message about us to the public. But, of course, they don't come cheap. And if you can afford to buy a one thousand dollar bangle, kudos to you. But for the rest of us, there's a fine line between accessorizing and going into debt for those shiny little pieces.

5 things you should buy

Education

No feeling in the world can be compared to the feeling you get when you add a new skill or knowledge to the list of things you know, be it a new language, a new skill, a hobby, a new course, a new degree, or an additional occupation. It is always nice when you add to your vault of knowledge because you never know when the skill you're learning today can come in handy. Furthermore, it is better to invest in education than materialistic things because unlike those flashy items that become obsolete with time, any useful knowledge you garner today might be your saving-grace in years to come.

Traveling

Traveling is one of the best things anyone can do in life. Although it can be pretty expensive at times, the sense of accomplishment and the memories created from it is always enough to last a lifetime. Think about it; although a round trip to the US can cost as much as a piece of brand new jewelry, or even more, the memories you'd create on your journey can never be matched by any memory you'd get from wearing your prized jewel.

Music

Invest your money in music and bring "life" into your life. Learning to play an instrument, for instance, is a great start to a new tradition in your family. You can pass this down to your children and make new memories. That is, of course, after you have told them about the ones you have when you learned to play.

Health

A healthy life is one of the most underrated things in life. Typically, we all think about maintaining our appliances, getting new devices, and beautifying our homes. But ask yourself this: how many times have you thought about driving yourself to a family doctor just for a routine check. Yes, you're fine, and you feel alive, but like your electronic sets at home, don't you think it's wise to sometimes put your body through a maintenance check too? Even though you feel good, still go for a BP check, check your sugar level, know what your kidney status is, how effective is your liver, why is your skin getting so dry suddenly, and so many other health-related issues.

Lifestyle

Isn't it strange how people spend on costly gadgets, money on websites like dominoqq, and spend extravagantly on nightlife and day-outs, but live on junks, fast foods, and substandard foods?  Strange, isn't it? Anyways, that's the way of the world.

However, now may be the time to review your diet and feeding style. If you have such a tight schedule and you barely have time to make your own food, bring in a maid, or find a way to adjust your schedule to make room for cooking. While you may think that the type of food you eat wouldn't really matter as long as you're getting something in your belly, remember that it is your food and health that determines how long you live.