The follies which a man regrets most in his life, are those which he didn’t commit when he had the opportunity. —Helen Rowland (1922/2007 p. 119)

People regret outcomes that could have been changed in the past but can no longer be changed and for which people experience low psychological closure

Regret is a common and distressing emotional experience that has long-term consequences for health and well-being (Landman, 1987; Lecci, Okun, & Karoly, 1994; Wrosch, Bauer, & Scheier, 2005).

Making decisions based on who “guarantees” the most or gives you the “best deal” may be short sighted in the context of time.  Fulfilling in the short term but with long term consequences.  Not eating that desert or not accepting that bigger “guarantee” may provide you the benefit of long-term success because you did it yourself!