What Do People Spend Money on That You Think Is Stupid and Extravagant?

jellykingdom on 19/12/2018 - 11:27
Last edited 19/12/2018 - 11:41 by 1 other user

Hard one to word correctly in the title…

I have seen a few examples lately of silly and over-the-top things that people pay loads of money for, and it honestly makes me a little angry that people waste money on such nonsense.

My list includes (they're mostly vanity related I notice):
- $1000 sneakers
- $20 pairs of socks
- Butler's pantries - so now you have a 'Good' kitchen, and an 'Actual' kitchen… (mod: language)
- $2000 iphones

I'm certainly guilty of wasting money from time to time, on clothes or booze or furniture etc, and I make a decent living so this isn't a whinge about "Why do people have money and not me??". I am just absolutely gobsmacked sometimes at the stuff people spend their money on….and yes it is their money to waste obviously

What's on your list of "WTF Expenses"?

General Discussion

Comments

          • Coatesy on 22/12/2018 - 08:00

            @altomic: Looking to propose, got any further instructions for how to get a $3 ring that will yield loads of compliments and save me $13997?

            • altomic on 24/12/2018 - 22:19
              +1

              @Coatesy: Aliexpress. Get a free ring sizer from bluenile to get her size.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 15:14

      most people who have expensive weddings dont pay for them the parents do…

  • tap on 19/12/2018 - 22:29
    +4

    I have an $8,000 mountain bike. If I didn't ride, I'd think that was absurd.

  • donotuse on 19/12/2018 - 22:33
    +1

    In the long run, we're all dead. What's the point of hoarding a lot of money when you won't enjoy it when you're dead anyway?

    • doheedo on 19/12/2018 - 22:38

      The point is they aren't enjoying it. They are just spending money on expensive crap because they can't think of anything better to do with it.

    • JIMB0 on 20/12/2018 - 05:46

      A lot of people don't have the money in the first place, it's all on credit.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2018 - 23:06

    I agree with $2,000 iphone (or any expensive phone) being rather extravagant and over the top. I'm not going to tell people how to spend their money, I do believe having the latest (and most expensive) iphone is often as a status/brag type of thing. People probably feel good and think others are impressed with ownership of such things. People also get suckered in by the hype.
    Certainly there are advantages to having the latest and most expensive phone, certainly not worth it IMO, plus can just wait a couple of years and that same phone can be had at a fraction of the price:)

  • tyc00n on 19/12/2018 - 23:53

    first class flights but im small, mega yachts, lottery tickets, horses, paintings, $35k birds, religion

    • jellykingdom on 20/12/2018 - 07:46

      You can buy birds for $35k…?

      • che_97 on 20/12/2018 - 10:28
        +4

        Sure can, I have a bunch of birds I could sell you for 35k. Pick your bird, don't worry too much about the breed, it will be 35k

        • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2018 - 11:56
          +1

          I'll take a dodo

          • che_97 on 20/12/2018 - 13:34
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: currently on back order. Pay the 35k though. its a good investment

            • donotuse on 21/12/2018 - 21:01

              @che_97: i would like to ask for a refund of $35k for my still unfulfilled order from 3 years ago.

  • 0FoxGiven on 19/12/2018 - 23:58
    +1
    • Cars
    • 4k TVs
    • Designer wear
    • Homes with multiple living areas (Lounge, Theater room, Living room, rumpus, etc)
    • Yes, Butler's kitchen
    • Phones costing over 1k (madness!)
    • Silly in-app purchases for games (I know ppl who spent at least $100 on pokemon go in-app purchases)
  • D C on 20/12/2018 - 00:56
    -3

    Ozbargain.

  • Donaldhump on 20/12/2018 - 01:26
    +3

    People who pay full price for kfc when The app has it 20 percent cheaper .

  • Piranha2004 on 20/12/2018 - 06:07
    +2

    The latest iPhone every year. Also people buying high end SUVs on finance (think 100k+ cars)

  • naniktaish on 20/12/2018 - 06:37
    +2

    Not sure if it's already mentioned but anything hype in general is a waste. Most evident in fashion with brands like Yeezy, supreme, bape and so on.

    Sad part is there are a lot of people who'll spend a bomb only to impress a bunch of shallow minded people who judge you on what you wear instead of who you are as a person.

    Not saying one should completely neglect their appearance but some people just overdo it.

  • mysterytal on 20/12/2018 - 07:52
    +1

    I've wasted a lot of money over the years.

    The most stupid thing has been gambling. Investing in shares turned in to gambling. I borrowed against them to buy more and lost the lot.

    The most extravagant but very useful thing has been my mobile phone.

  • jellykingdom on 20/12/2018 - 07:55
    +1

    Oh yeah, also i'm going to add "people who shop at service stations"….whenever I get my petrol and see all the tradies in there getting their morning Red Bulls etc. Just get it from the supermarket and save like $5 per day?? Or just drink water…

    • silverrat23 on 20/12/2018 - 08:04
      +2

      Convenience is the name of the game, my friend.

    • inherentchoice on 22/12/2018 - 11:23

      Cashed up tradies bogans.

  • ldt on 20/12/2018 - 07:59

    I don’t get the iPhone comments. I buy a new iPhone every other year, then sell the old one for about $300-$500 less than I got it for. $150-$250 a year for a phone seems like a good deal for me.

    • inherentchoice on 22/12/2018 - 11:27

      Seriously only $300-500 depreciation in two years?

      iPhone 7 came out 2 years ago for about $1300 and are now selling for about $500 used today.

      But my Xiaomi is only $200 brand new and rivals the iPhone for specs.

      • ldt on 22/12/2018 - 13:20

        Selling at the right time is key. Not 2-3 months after the next lot of phones come out.
        I’m sure a Xiaomi phone is great for you. But it’s not what I want.

  • russianhacker on 20/12/2018 - 08:28

    Tattoos

  • Duram on 20/12/2018 - 08:46
    +1

    I'm super frugal so 99% of what people spend their money on I find to be a joke.

  • Sage222 on 20/12/2018 - 08:49
    +2

    Ipads and apple products.

  • pandabear on 20/12/2018 - 08:56
    +5

    Car loans. I have never understood why people go above their means when it comes to cars. I think that if they can’t afford the car with savings then they should buy a cheaper car. I know it’s a big purchase but it’s still no where near a house price!

  • Speckled Jim on 20/12/2018 - 09:03

    You know that edible gold leaf w@nkers put on desserts?
    That.

    • Carmen Sandiego on 20/12/2018 - 09:13

      Just edible gold leaf and truffles on the most inane things (pizza??!?)

    • Cluster on 20/12/2018 - 11:54

      The funny thing is it's often not real gold. eBay is rife with counterfeit gold leaf.

  • frostman on 20/12/2018 - 09:09
    • Apple store (iPad/iPhone) Apps/Games that cost most than $1.99
    • Micro, in-game transactions such as dances, taunts, costumes, etc as this gentleman already pointed
    • Flavoured Water
    • Any mobile that costs more than $1,400
    • Nike shoes
    • Curved TVs
    • Any AMG car that does not carry the bade of the [x]63 or x[65]
    • Tattoos, (you can never write/draw something that you don't change your mind about in life)
    • lachhelix on 20/12/2018 - 17:12

      This is mt favourite list so far

    • TimeWaster on 24/12/2018 - 10:20

      To be fair, some iPad apps are pretty fully fledged these days - consider $30 for a photo editing app vs $300 for photoshop, or $10 for a word processing app vs $100 for office, etc.
      Some games even have full studios of developers working for them nowadays

      Otherwise I agree with you for the most part, but why the special exception for the AMG 63/65?

      • frostman on 24/12/2018 - 15:38
        +1

        AMG for the most part was known for its grunting signature V8, later the V12 variant (S65 AMG).
        But the introduction of the CLS 45AMG, A 45AMG, and the new E 53 are just dumbed down versions of the real AMG.

  • P Plater Panda on 20/12/2018 - 09:10
    +4

    But but but… what if the
    - $1000 sneakers was discounted from the rrp of $5000
    - $20 pairs of socks was discounted from $99.99
    - $2000 iphone … well it's a cardinal sin for buying over the rrp in this forum. no excuse whatsoever.

    What would an OzBargainer do?

  • HKS on 20/12/2018 - 09:20
    +2

    People that buy the expensive spirits and then mix it with coke or some other soft drink. literally no difference.

    • Save Medicare on 22/12/2018 - 11:50

      I've had both Yamazaki 12 and Hibiki 21 with coke in Japan. Pretty good.

  • DiscoJango on 20/12/2018 - 09:30
    +1

    I buy premium toilet paper

    Only the best for this bootay

  • lostn on 20/12/2018 - 09:39

    Beach houses that stay vacant for most of the year.

    Yachts.

    Stepping out of the realm of the super rich, there's LV handbags and $2000 phones (512GB iPhone XS Max).

  • lltravel on 20/12/2018 - 10:19
    -1

    I think its stupid you care what people spend money on.

    its no ones business where your own money goes.
    If you really want to see Extravagant spending, look no further than our pollies pay packets and where the government pours your tax dollars into. That's the money you should care about.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2018 - 11:13

    Most Mowing Services from the main franchises; they cut the grass too short and then let all the weeds grow… Fail.

    • Scorpex on 20/12/2018 - 11:17
      +4

      Makes me laugh when folks get their lawns mowed and then traipse off to the gym for exercise……

  • Scorpex on 20/12/2018 - 11:16
    +1

    Vitamins and other snake oil potions

  • giftcardinspector on 20/12/2018 - 11:47
    +1

    I spend over $20 on pairs of socks.
    But I also spend 13 hours a day in boots for 8 days straight a fortnight.
    It's a small price to pay for not having ruined feet.

  • Cluster on 20/12/2018 - 11:53
    +3

    Expensive wine. For me a decent bottle of wine is around $8. For $15 I expect something very tasty. For $25 I'm looking for a great wine and often find it. I simply don't understand why people spend $100 and up on a bottle of wine when the quality does not scale with the price. I have tried Grange on numerous occasions, and while it is good, I think I'd have to be a multi millionaire to think $800 per bottle is good value.

    Some other posters have mentioned new cars. Certainly the depreciation is horrific in the first few years and you're much wiser buying a 3 to 5 year old used car, but without anyone to buy new cars the used car market would quickly dry up.

  • SkMed on 20/12/2018 - 11:57
    +1

    Pretty much everything. It baffles me how many of my friends, family and co-workers just have no idea when it comes to the value of things and how much they happily overpay for things just because they're too lazy to do a little research.

    Recent examples being:

    Buying a $1000 roomba instead of the xiaomi robot vacuum.
    Overpaying for bills, food, pet food etc.
    Buying Air pods instead literally anything better/cheaper/actually stylish.
    iPhones. There are actually just a fashion statement now. a $300 android can get you everything a $2000 iPhone can.
    Holidays/trips and using travel agents.
    Watches! WTF is up with watches people?
    Diamonds, what a wank.
    Big weddings, such a waste of money.

    • dane45 on 20/12/2018 - 12:27
      +4

      I'm picturing Jerry Seinfeld: "So what's the deal with watches?"

    • Raeservoir on 20/12/2018 - 23:03

      At a stage where I'm becoming gradually more financially independent. Airpods were expensive but I could wear these until they run out of charge - they fit my ears great. Granted, not perfect with Bluetooth, and I don't even use any other Apple devices, but they'll be good until/unless I lose them or they die. Not bothered by how they look.

      (Not dissing - but thought I'd give my two cents, the first time I saw Airpods pop up in this thread.)

      • SkMed on 21/12/2018 - 11:14
        +1

        Im not an apple hater (use almost exclusively mac laptops/desktops) and really don't care for fashion, but something about the air-pods really really pisses me off. That design, its just ridiculous and totally unnecessary. I just don't get it lol.

        • payton on 21/12/2018 - 11:16

          Like white snot leaking out of their ears! :)
          My thoughts exactly

  • gimme on 20/12/2018 - 12:23
    +2

    Weddings
    Weddings
    Diamond Rings
    Diamond Rings
    Weddings
    Diamond Rings
    Flowers
    Diamond Rings
    Weddings
    Not checking on OZB before buying anything.

  • dane45 on 20/12/2018 - 12:26
    +2
    • People who live in the inner city and own a car
    • Business class on flights under 3 hours
    • Flying Qantas domestically
    • SkMed on 20/12/2018 - 14:28

      Ah, I own a car and live inner city. However I inherited it, have a driveway, use it to get to band practice and visit family (grew up in the countryside) and also have it on Car next door so it pay's for itself (and makes me money). So theres exceptions to that one I think. :P

      • dane45 on 20/12/2018 - 15:10
        +1

        Each to their own, I just get irked by the people I work with who insist on driving to work (in the city) rather than taking public transport because they don't like catching busses. Makes me feel like they're definitely being paid too much!

        • SkMed on 21/12/2018 - 11:04

          I drove to work twice in the past 3 years and wanted to kill myself! It took just as long as PT, then cost more due to parking/fuel etc. haha.

  • JimB on 20/12/2018 - 12:30

    I never considered myself to be wasteful and my wife thinks I'm a tightass but reading the comments it appears I buy a lot of things that are Stupid and Extravagant.

    I do try not to pay retail. I have never bought a new car before, but I am considering a BMW M2.

    • Trakka on 20/12/2018 - 14:36
      +1

      You should get one man, a true driver’s car.

      • JimB on 20/12/2018 - 15:39
        +1

        Yup, I think so too. I'm not buying it to impress anyone.. but it does impress me very much. Drove the (non-competition) M2 at Philip Island, fantastic experience.

        It will impracticable but you only live once.

        It would be great to tell the grand kids I use to own a manual RWD Turbocharged 3L twin turbo internal combustion engine. They'll look at me and say 'you mean the one that runs on petrol?'.

      • andyhui01 on 21/12/2018 - 10:06
        +1

        I am too. M2C Manual but I don't want to deal with having a 2nd car anymore so it will have to be my Daily. Not sure how that will go down. But it will be the last of it's generation, Manual RWD high powered BMW M of any type.

        • JimB on 21/12/2018 - 21:35

          Yeah, may be the last of the breed that BMW is famous for- RWD, manual, straight 6.

          Even the new 340i is going to be AWD. Going AWD to keep up with the others.

    • drprox on 20/12/2018 - 19:06

      I can relate a bit. I have a decent job and wife works, we could spend more frivolously but have plenty of everything. Anyway I recently decided to sell my Honda jazz (which I loved to bits) go "live a little" and after much patience and haggling got a 2014 m135i. I don't regret it. It really is great fun and given I know a few ppl keen on track days will be off to one soon enough!

      • JimB on 21/12/2018 - 21:46

        A M140i is definately more practical than M2.

        Performance wise the M135i/M140i is very close to the M2. Truth be know, the major reason I'd choose the M2 over the M140i is looks- not performance- you'd lose your licence very quickly with either if you used 50% of the performance on the road. There is sometime about the coupe styling and fat rear guards.

        Definate bargain buy new or used now. The M135i use to be $72k plus on roads.. the M140i is now $60k!

        Your M135i the LCI?

  • h4zey on 20/12/2018 - 12:44
    +5

    Money spend on things you don't need to impress people you don't like

    • Some Human on 21/12/2018 - 11:13

      My favourite quote.

  • Some Human on 20/12/2018 - 12:44

    $500+ Phones.
    $150+ headphones.
    25k+ cars
    $100+ Computer mouse where it’s just the mouse, no keyboard.
    Having Netflix, foxtel, Stan and amazon prime subscriptions all at the same time.
    Any service that makes you pay to stream music, not own it.
    And whatever a google home is/does.

    • lltravel on 20/12/2018 - 13:20

      $500+ Phones | not sure if srs
      $150+ headphones. | makes a huge difference. Bose vs a generic brand you buy you can hear the difference.
      25k+ cars | again, huge difference between a kia and a bmw
      $100+ Computer mouse where it’s just the mouse, no keyboard. | huge difference when you have a mechnical keyboard and a mouse with specific gaming requirements
      Having Netflix, foxtel, Stan and amazon prime subscriptions all at the same time. | If they can afford it let them.
      Any service that makes you pay to stream music, not own it. | it works out cheaper to have a streaming service, variety and you can cater to anyone's needs if you're hosting a party
      And whatever a google home is/does. | if you don't know you probably shouldnt be commenting. You have no idea

      • Some Human on 20/12/2018 - 19:32
        +1

        If you can't comprehend that the aim of this thread was to ask for people's opinions - which i gave - maybe you shouldn't be commenting.
        You sound like this guy that used to work at my local cash converters. He would harrass me with stories of how he always had to have the latest iphone etc, while I just stood there all DILLIGAF? He too, suffered from an inferiority complex.

      • aussieolfaction on 21/12/2018 - 11:41
        +1

        The other mate was telling us what they believe is extravagant, and unnecessary spending. It need not be in agreement with your ideas, so there's no need to justify anything here.

      • inherentchoice on 22/12/2018 - 11:39
        +3

        huge difference between a kia and a bmw

        Yep the Kia Stinger is way better than any equivalent price Bima.

    • letthiswork1 on 21/12/2018 - 10:59

      i actually disagree with all of these lol

      • Some Human on 21/12/2018 - 11:12

        That's cool. As I said, this is a thread about different people's opinions, where there is no right or wrong.
        If nobody disagreed with each other, the world would be a pretty boring place.

        • aussieolfaction on 21/12/2018 - 11:41
          +1

          If nobody disagreed with each other, the world would be a pretty boring place.

          I don't fully agree with this. :-p

        • boostpak on 21/12/2018 - 13:12
          +1

          I disagree with everything you said too. Quality costs mate you need to learn that. Good value with quality is best.

    • Circly on 21/12/2018 - 15:41

      Sorry mate you don't appreciate quality.

      • Some Human on 21/12/2018 - 17:53

        I don’t understand why so many people find it strange that someone on a bargain website doesn’t like to blow their hard earned cash on things they find grossly overpriced and of no importance.

  • Diji on 20/12/2018 - 13:10

    Keyboards and keycaps (I have spent far too much on these bits of plastic).

  • Bills22 on 20/12/2018 - 14:05

    I'd have to put Sunglasses as I have quite a few pairs and eating out at fine restaurants. Also, paying for upgrades from economy to business class? Not sure if that is stupid or not……….

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 15:19

      I agree paying for an Business Class upgrade is a colossal rip off BUT i know people who medically struggle to fly long distances and have to fly business class or else they simply couldnt cross the globe so it isnt really a rip off if the alternative is potential extreme pain…

  • Bunnyburger on 20/12/2018 - 14:37

    The Supreme and Off White branded stuff. It does have social utility tho.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 15:15

    Anyone who buys a Rolex….

    dont get me wrong i love'em but no way i'd spend 60k on a watch… in the end of the day it just tells the time…

    • JimB on 20/12/2018 - 15:42
      +2

      You can get them for under $10k.

      Sport Rolexes have a history of increasing in price (both new and 2nd hand).

      I could sell mine for more than I purchased it for new.

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 15:46

        thats fair/true 'some Rolex' go up in value but majority do not the Rolex market is about 1-2% of the population only the best designs that are limited is number go up in value.

        However i see your point

        • JimB on 20/12/2018 - 15:47
          +3

          Most stainless steel sport Rolexes go up in price, limited edition or not i.e. Submariner, Daytona, etc.

          The biggest problem is buying one.. near impossible to buy these days.

          • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 15:48

            @JimB: Im upvoting you because you know you shit

            • JimB on 20/12/2018 - 15:58
              +2

              @Trying2SaveABuck: Thanks Champ! lol

              Many people think Rolex is just about the brand, what most don't know is they are very well built. Pick up a Submariner, rotate the bezel and close the clasp, you can feel the quality.

              No doubt that $10k is over the top for a watch but the quality and engineering can not be denied.

              8 years ago, my car cost the same as 4 Rolex Submariners. Sadly today, my Submariners is worth more than my car on the secondary market. I regret buying my car more than my Rolex.

              • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 16:06

                @JimB: this is true but like a Rolex not all cars lose value ie old mustangs (ie 1969) have exponentially increased in value

                Things like watches, art, fine wine, cars etc you really need to know your stuff…i guess that is true for most investment tho…

                But good on you for picking a winner

              • Save Medicare on 22/12/2018 - 11:54

                @JimB: BP factory does it just as good.

                • JimB on 22/12/2018 - 14:38

                  @Save Medicare: I don't have an issue with reps except for those who try to pass it off as the real thing.

            • boostpak on 21/12/2018 - 13:18

              @Trying2SaveABuck: and you have no clue

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 15:16
    +6

    Swimming pools in Melbourne cost 5k to maintain a year and lower your house value due to no one wanting to pay the maintenance of them

    • JimB on 20/12/2018 - 15:43

      Don't agree with you on the Rolex but you're spot on here!

      Melbourne is just too cold to use the pool 10 months of the year.

    • boostpak on 21/12/2018 - 13:20

      depends on the area, a good area a house with a pool definitely will add value to that property if the house is nice too

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2018 - 15:20
    +2

    Home loans with greater then 4% interest…

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join