Admit it. Sometimes you notice other people's grocery carts and think, "Well, that's a waste of cash." Or you silently judge purchases made by family and friends, wondering why they need branded clothing, eyelash extensions, or frou-frou drinks from chain coffeehouses.
Judging from the responses to a popular online forum, you're not alone! Here are a dozen of the top offenders people waste money on.
1. Cell Phone Upgrades
Sometimes a phone quits working or can no longer be upgraded. But does that happen every single year? "I've had two smartphones over ten years. I held on to my iPhone 5 until I couldn't use all of my apps anymore," one forum user said. Another reader noted that all new smartphones are starting to offer the same features and value. We don't need to upgrade constantly to get some ground-breaking innovation: "The product line has hit its stride." So why pay for a new phone until you have to? And speaking of phones…
2. Smartphone Games
Some games are free, but the ones with in-game purchase opportunities can drain your wallet. There's a reason these games do so well: they're totally addictive! "They got me bad during lockdown," one respondent admitted. Another recalled a love-hate relationship with Candy Crush: "$60 later, I deleted the game." Imagine how deep in the hole they'd be if they had kept playing! A third user redefined the "gaming" concept altogether: "For me, the 'game' is seeing how well I can do without paying for anything."
3. Coffins
There are many coffin stores online, but you can also buy them in real life — and not just at the funeral home. Costco sells them (honest!), and a friend of ours saw one for sale at a Goodwill store. One forum member was wryly amused by the idea of ensuring that the beloved departed person is comfortable. Another reader swore they wanted a plain wood box and maybe a box of Sharpies so that loved ones could write their prayers and goodbyes on it. It's a beautifully frugal way to honor your loved ones!
4. Extended Warranties
Extended warranties are big business for retailers, making billions of dollars annually by offering them. One possible exception is smartphone coverage, which depends on what could go wrong. In other words, get accustomed to saying "No thanks!" when a sales clerk tries to sell you an extended warranty. Sometimes those sales pitches are incredibly ridiculous: "I have had stores try to sell me one for a $15 pair of earbuds," one forum user said.
5. Cheap Tools and Building Supplies
For every frugalist who claims to be still using the $1 screwdriver they bought 13 years ago at Dollar Tree, there are legions of rueful homeowners who bought the cheap hammer, level, pliers, or whatever – and had to replace these things far too quickly. Low-end lumber is (barely) good enough for a doghouse, but you'll regret using it to build a deck. A couple of Dad-type sayings arose in the forum comments: "Buy once, cry once" and "Buy it nice or buy it twice." And one reader quoted a former boss: "There is nothing more expensive than cheap paint."
6. Lunch Out vs. Brown-Bagging It
Even people earning minimum wage will often hit the fast-food joints. (Hint: the "Value Menu" is a big fat lie.) One commenter did the math for them: "One co-worker would literally blow an entire day's pay every single week on DoorDash." Another reader said their wife has a sandwich and yogurt daily, which her co-workers think is crazy — yet those colleagues also "constantly complain about being broke." Does anyone else see the disconnect here? Packing lunch just isn't that hard, and it'll save you loads of money.
7. K-cups
So easy: Pop in the little plastic container, punch down the lever, and moments later, you have a fresh cup of coffee. And no pot to wash! But the per-pound cost of the coffee is noticeably higher, and the environmental impact of all that plastic is notable. You could buy and refill reusable cups, but seriously: the average K-cup buyer prioritizes convenience. "It makes sense someplace like a waiting room in an office... But at home? A complete waste," pronounced one forum member.
8. Fabric Softener/Dryer Sheets
While they may make your clothes smell good, fabric softeners aren’t good for your laundry. Among other things, they can build up on your garments and the inside of your washing machine or dryer. This can reduce flame resistance on your kid’s PJs, decrease the absorbency of your bath towels, and lessen your workout gear’s ability to wick away moisture. If you’re buying fabric softener or dryer sheets because they smell good, opt for a scented laundry soap instead. If you want the clothes to be softer, consider wool drying balls. One forum member uses clean tennis balls instead! And if it’s static you’re trying to prevent? Scrunch up a 3 to 4-foot piece of aluminum foil until it’s a smooth ball with no sharp edges, and throw it into the dryer along with your clothes to discharge static buildup. You could also hang your clothes to dry, which is eco-friendly and will save you big bucks on utility bills.
9. Bottled Water
Let's face it: some cities have water that tastes like trash or is unsafe to drink or cook with. But how many folks with excellent city water insist on buying bottled agua? One forum member moaned, "We literally have award-winning, spring-fed water right in our taps, but people still buy bottles trucked in from who knows where. It's pure idiocy!" Even if your local water doesn't win awards, it's plenty drinkable. "You might not love the taste, but a cheap filter can fix that," a reader pointed out.
10. Faux Leather
Have you ever met a vegan who announced that they never use animal products while carrying a fake leather handbag or wearing fake leather footwear? According to one reader, the joke's on them: "Faux leather boots peel really quickly, and once it gets like that, you can't just give them a polish like real leather." Another commenter warned against fake leather furniture: "Faux leather sofas look amazing when you buy them but wear out easily, in two to three years." Waste! And those concerned about animals should remember that synthetic leather often requires some petroleum products — and drilling that stuff out of the ground can inconvenience many critters.
11. Expensive Children’s Clothing
As many new parents know, it's like dressing dolls in cute little outfits. So much fun! But as seasoned parents know, they won't be in those clothes long — and they'll likely do something damp or disgusting in them. "My kids had outfits they wore once before outgrowing it," one parent reported. Another reader, who'd worked in retail, said some baby items cost $50 or more: "My co-worker said kids will lose clothes all the time — no point in spending that much money." Used is the way to go: hand-me-downs from friends, secondhand stores, garage sales, etc. Oh, and don't get us started on designer brand shoes for infants. Kids who can't walk don't need footwear!
12. Lottery Tickets
A dollar and a dream, right? But not everyone dreams the same dream. One user called the lottery "toxic escapism. A pathetic means of escape when there are very real ways to chase wealth that don't include such absurd odds." A second reader agreed that the lottery could cost you: "If you invest $5 a week at 3% annual interest, after 40 years, you'd have $20,078. At 10%, after 40 years, you'd have $137,734." Those seem like better odds!
Source: Reddit.
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