Column: Four golden rules for buying stuff

The technology world is good at providing us with a never-ending stream of shiny new objects that all seem to scream, "Buy me!"

Every day, there's a new smartphone, tablet, video game, 3-D printer, e-reader, or piece of wearable technology competing for our money, and let's face it, sometimes it's just fun to buy stuff.

Heck, we can get high off it. The act of shopping can cause our brains to release endorphins and dopamine, which are natural opiates.

But as someone who has spent plenty of money on less-than-sensible products because they were new or supposedly innovative, I know that mindless tech spending will bring you zero happiness, and plenty of financial pain.