Crazy stuff you can't believe people waste money on

[Ronni]

Originally Posted by Rebecca

I used to spend a TON on makeup (Bobbi Brown is my favorite). Then I saw a dermatologist who treated me for my acne, and I realized I no longer needed the make-up to cover up. Now I don't wear any makeup (unless I'm going out, and even then a bare minimum) AND my skin looks better!

When I spent the $100 on makeup, it was Bobbi Brown! I loved the stuff, and it did make me look great, but now I just go natural.

I am like you, just a bare minimum if I am going out, but I rarely even do THAT, so yeah...

[purplefdu]

I don't understand buying anything thats name brand if they sell it at Walmart/Target. I also dont understand buying coffee shop coffee. Starbucks is ncie enough, but not addictive like being able to drink a pot of my own for the same price. They can keep the lattes and fattcinos

I don't get buying tons of makeup. I normally pick up some samples from Ebay from an Avon/Mary Kay/department store shopper and have a tinted moisturizer. I only wear it for special occasions so its less than $5-10 a year.

I don't get fake nails, manicures, perdicures, or any other dumb beaty store treatment. Heck I cut my own hair and have for the last 15 years. Looks just fine.

As for diamonds. I recived a lovely ring set when I got married my husband picked out from a traveling jewelry salesperson. I am saving to replace it with a nice platnum/lab diamond set. What can I say, I'm a chemist by nature and its made in the lab. Who wouldn't want one?

I also don't understand mini-vans and SUVs just because you have kids. A 4-door sedan is cheaper all around and I'd say 70% of people with an SUV don't need one.

I don't get buying processed foods because they are supposedly quick and easy to make but bad for you, or eating fast food instead of packing a lunch. I don't get replacing your cell phone every year because you can. I don't get buying alcohol at a bar/restaurant at the markup they charge. I don't get buying stuff on clearance if you wouldn't buy it at full price.

[Ronni]

Originally Posted by purplefdu

I also don't understand mini-vans and SUVs just because you have kids. A 4-door sedan is cheaper all around and I'd say 70% of people with an SUV don't need one.

Can I get an AMEN. I mean, if you have three or four kids, I do think that's a different story, or if you're a band member and need to lug around gear or whatever. And the people with all those kids will eventually be lugging around sports equipment and stuff like that. I get that, that's fine. But I know people who have one baby and they get a freakin' mini-van which clogs up the road and uses a TON of gas, just because they think that's what they should do.

[lucille]

Originally Posted by Ronni

Can I get an AMEN. I mean, if you have three or four kids, I do think that's a different story, or if you're a band member and need to lug around gear or whatever. And the people with all those kids will eventually be lugging around sports equipment and stuff like that. I get that, that's fine. But I know people who have one baby and they get a freakin' mini-van which clogs up the road and uses a TON of gas, just because they think that's what they should do.

It depends on the mini van too. My previous vehicle (Ford Escort) got the same MPG as some of the newer Dodge Caravan models do. I still can't fathom all of the people who own these monster sized Excursions, Escalades and Suburbans. I see people with on person driving around in these things all the time and most of the don't have large families.

[purplefdu]

We have a Ford Escape and a VW Passat. The Escape was purchased because we live down a private dirt road in New England. It snows, the potholes can eat cars, and we have two dogs. The Passat is still more than enough for me, one of the dogs, and all my riding equipment though. We actually find the Escape huge, I don't know how a regular person without kids could fill an Excursion.

[Ronni]

Originally Posted by purplefdu

I don't know how a regular person without kids could fill an Excursion.

I have a theory that they buy them to bully the drivers smaller cars on the road, like me and my little Hyundai Accent.

If someone is riding on me and acting like the world is going to end if I don't go five MPH faster, I've noticed it's usually someone in a huge gas-guzzling vehicle like a Ford F-6000 or a Navigator or something like that.

[Linsey Knerl]

My daughter just got an MP3 player (off-brand) this year for Christmas from my mother. She has rules she follows for when it is appropriate to listen to it. And she also has to pay for her OWN downloads with her allowance. I see it as a good incentive to do chores and extra odd jobs.

But I don't even have one yet!!!

[Annie]

I'm often confused as to why people go out to get their hair done for no reason. I mean, to get a cut and dye job is one thing, but to go to a salon to have the hair curled or straightened for one night for no reason but to look cute? It's weird. Like, I know people that go out and do that even when they don't have a function to attend later in the day. They'll wash their hair the next morning and it's like it never happened.

[gt0163c]

Originally Posted by Jess

I don't understand the car thing - HUGE expenses, like car payments, insurance, and gas. As a non-driver, I car pool and take the bus. But I understand that cars can be a kind of necessary evil for some. (Doesn't mean I have to like them! :P)

I would like to not have a car. Unfortunately, I don't have a schedule which allows me car pool and I don't live in an area with reasonable public transportation. I do regularly walk places when I can (mostly to church, since it's 0.3 miles) and combine trips. But, no way to get rid of the car where I am.

[rstlne]

Fancy restaurants. I can't even bring myself to spend $20 on dinner most of the time but I've heard of people blowing away more than $100 on a meal.