What do you consider a waste of money?
By Quetzhal
@Quetzhal (82)
Singapore
August 10, 2012 10:47pm CST
We often consider whether or not we're wasting money when we spend it on a certain product, or people may tell us that we're wasting money when we buy something that seems superfluous. At what point do you consider buying something a waste of money?
Personally, I usually only consider it a waste of money if it falls into the following categories:
1) You don't need the product.
2) You have something else you need to spend the money on.
3) There's a cheaper and functional version of the product.
But I know it might not be the same for everyone else. The thing is, I see it this way- Something is a 'waste' of money only when the person purchasing the item thinks that the price of the item is too high for the amount of satisfaction it will give them. We all have our own hobbies, for example, and some people spend a lot of money on those hobbies. Buying a lot of clothes might be considered by some as a 'waste' of money, but to the people who are buying them, it could be worth it. It works the same way for concert tickets, stamps, etcetera. Even if a product might be a waste of money to me, it might not be the case for someone else- Because for that someone else, it's worth it.
I'd argue that happiness is one of the things we aim for in life. If the product is something that goes towards a goal that will make you more happy/satisfied, I don't think it's a waste of money.
(Not sure if this is the right section, but I would have to retype the whole thing a third time if I wanted to change it again.)
1 person likes this
5 responses
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
11 Aug 12
We all are working hard for our earnings, so we must spend our money in a good way. Some people are interested in status and buy some unwanted things to show their status, this kind of purchases are waste of money. Our real status lies in our activities, character and behavior, this kind of expensive and luxury things don't give any status to us and it only spoil our money.
Some people are following their friends or neighbors activities and buy the things whichever they purchase. If the neighborhood person purchased a smart phone, then this kind of people also interested in purchasing the same, even though they don't have money and more knowledge about the product, surely this kind of spending is waste of money. We must buy the things for our needs not for others as well as social status.
We must give importance to the quality and buy the cheap and best things. Some persons will buy the costly things, if the same product is available with the same quality with a low cost, then we must purchase it to save our money, don't go behind the expensive things and get satisfaction with the cheap and best things which saves your money. We have the ability to avoid unwanted and unnecessary spending. If we organize our spending, then we will save a lot and avoid wasting money.
@Quetzhal (82)
• Singapore
11 Aug 12
I agree with that. I heard that there was an iPhone app that had nothing but a little red button on it- It cost $999 (or something to that effect) and had no purpose other than to show off their wealth. Some people actually bought it. Talk about a waste of money!
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
11 Aug 12
Not only buying items or spending money in a nonsense purpose makes waste of money. Waste of everything is like always linked with waste of money. For example, wasate of energy or water is also a waste of money since you are going to pay for it. waste of food is also anothe because you are spending money to buy the food. Waste of time is another especially when you are working in per hour basis. Also, you are loosing opportunities in earning money if you waste money.
@Quetzhal (82)
• Singapore
11 Aug 12
That's true! I never really thought of that one, haha. Goes to show what I know! I guess what was getting to me was constantly hearing people getting told they're wasting their money- Thing is, it's money that was spent towards their interests and hobbies. Those interests and hobbies might not be the same as ours, but that doesn't mean others can't have passion towards them. Of course, if that money could've been spent on essentials then it should have been, but if it was spare money and there was no pressing need to save, I don't see the problem.
@youless (112166)
• Guangzhou, China
11 Aug 12
In fact I think buying the luxury brand products like LV, Coach etc. is a kind of wasting money. These brands just stand for the luxury. Namely the main purpose is to show up. It has lost the real function of the product itself.
I love China
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
11 Aug 12
i consider people splurging on items which they have already and try to create over pride and show off as a waste of money,instead they can lend to poor people and also help them through charity,that will fetch more happiness equally
@r_benavides (2)
•
11 Aug 12
There is a lot of ways of wasting money.. but lets face it.. thats the world that we live in. We but things we don't need, to please impress people we don't know and make it all worst by making big companies richer and richer.
SO.. these days I would say is a real waste of money..
Buying things in stores when you can get them online.
Price is cheaper.There is no logical reason (or at least for me) to pay extra money.. for the same exact product.. when you can get it sometimes.. half price on line.
Thanks!
@Quetzhal (82)
• Singapore
11 Aug 12
Haha, I agree with that. Have to be careful with online purchases, though- I keep getting caught by the shipping price because I'm usually ordering international shipping. More often than not I see an awesome $10 product, get all excited... then I look at the $50 shipping price and sigh heavily. :| I don't get why the default on shipping is express sometimes. Just let me choose the cheaper option! (They usually don't)
There was this auction I saw on an auction site once, as well. Most items go cheap on there as they usually do since you have to buy the bids, but there was this $25 Walmart gift card that people had left their autobidder on. Last I saw, it was going for $71.
