Here's the thing about regret.

It makes no sense dwelling on a past chock full of mistakes if you're not going to move forward with the intent of using those mistakes to better shape your judgment. 

Over the weekend, we all make dumb decisions and do things we wish we didn't. But in the words of the Lion King, "You can run from it, or you can learn from it." 

So, if you're feeling remorse about your choices, if you deplore the money you spent, or the things you did, we have some suggestions for getting through that regret.

You're obviously an all-star, and with a few simple tips, you'll make much smarter choices next weekend.

So read on for 8 weekend regrets every New Yorker has experienced at least once in their lives. And figure out what you can do to make sure they don't happen again. 

Because doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is considered insanity, right? 

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1. Spent hundreds on a play

Going to a Broadway show in New York City is great. It's one of our claims to fame. 

But you might feel a few iotas of regret while trying to buy groceries after dropping upwards of $300 on a Broadway show, when the reality is that Broadway is far from the only theater option in NYC.

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In fact, NYC is the mecca of theater in America, and you don't have to drop more than $50 to see a great play on any night of the week in NYC. 

So next time you have a theater craving, go to the Ensemble Studio Theatre for their 35th Marathon of One-Act Plays, where the general admission is $18. 

You could also go see Shakespeare in the Park for free. Check the performance calendar to find dates and locations. 

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2. Spent all your money at the bar

You probably went somewhere super expensive this weekend. 1Oak. Refinery Rooftop. Le Bain. 

Those are all fun, yet effin' fancy spots. And now that your bank account is depleted, you're feeling regretful about the $15 you spent on just one drink (over and over again), or the $20 you spent to simply walk in the door. 

Next time you go out to get your drink on, forgo those bars with covers and do some deal searching. 

Fiddlesticks has an excellent happy hour until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday: all drinks are $3 (except martinis and shots). The Parkside Lounge has $3 beers from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day, and Jeremy's Ale House always has $1.75 Buds.

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3. Texted your ex

It's rough when this happens, especially when the ex in question doesn't respond. 

If it weren't for cell phones, this wouldn't even be a thing, but whatever. If it happens, it happens, and really the best you can do is simply move on. 

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Go do something you love. Meet someone else. Be super nice to yourself, and the most important thing here is not to beat yourself up. 

You know, because the best way to get over someone is to fall in love with yourself again.

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4. Hooked up with someone you regret

Sometimes we all get a little tipsy and end up inviting someone home that we wish we hadn't. 

The best cure for the "hooked up with someone I wish I hadn't" regret is to, once again, not beat yourself up about it. 

Then, go watch a romantic comedy that makes you feel better about your life because those movies involve someone who hasn't gotten their life together 80% of the way through. 

Top recommendations?  Swingers, 500 Days of Summer, and He's Just Not That Into You. Thank you, Netflix.

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5. Spent $100 on dinner

Here's a helpful hint for dining with a price cap: cook dinner. And yes, we know, going grocery shopping in Manhattan is usually about as expensive as going out to eat. 

So, here's an idea. Get on the subway and go to Harlem, the Bronx, or Brooklyn and buy your groceries. Or shop FreshDirect.  

You'll oftentimes spend half the price. And cooking dinner is also super fun, a great way to bond with whoever you're cooking with (or a nice way to treat yourself if you're flying solo). 

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Salmon is easy to cook, and feels fancy. Quesadillas are also laughably easy to cook, as is stir-fry and pasta.

Cooking for yourself is also, generally speaking, healthier than going out to eat... you know, because the food you eat at restaurants is oftentimes drenched in butter and oil and fat and grease. 

Unless you love to drench your food in those things, too. Then we can't help you with that one. 

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6. Spent $100 at a wine bar

Yeah, you did this when you could have gone to Trader Joe's, spent $3 on a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck, bought some cheese and crackers, and spread out a blanket at Washington Square Park.

You could have had a just as magical evening for a fraction of the price. But you didn't. So get over it. It's really not the end of the world. 

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7. Did absolutely nothing

Because you were trying to save money (and you did), you made yourself miserable. 

Here's a friendly tip: you don't have to sit in your apartment alone feeling sorry for yourself to save money. There are plenty of great, free NYC activities at your fingertips. 

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You can toss around a football with all your other broke friends in Central Park (we promise you, you're not the only one in this city worried about saving cash). 

Lots of museums are free on specific days of the week, and museums like The Bronx Museum of the Arts, and Socrates Sculpture Park are always free. 

There are also plenty of free tours, and you could always go to Chelsea Arts on Thursday nights for free wine and cheese gallery openings.

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8. Drank until you were sick to your stomach 

We like getting drunk as much as the next person. In fact, we might even like getting drunk more than the next person. 

But if you're continuously nauseous and depressed the day after drinking (like we are), it might be time to consider the fact that drinking is not the only weekend activity available to you.

This might seem extremely revolutionary, but you can still have an amazing weekend without alcohol. 

You do not have to feel like crap on Sundays. You can actually feel amazing on Sundays, save your money, and have energy to be productive. Sometimes not drinking is the best idea you could ever have.

I know, we said it. 

Check out 8 Best Bars with Games to Bring Out Your 'A' Game in NYC.

[Feature Image Courtesy: Vimbly]