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Original poster

What’s the biggest waste of money you have ever seen?

231 replies

3luckystars · 14/02/2024 22:43

Last summer I was in a newsagent and the woman in front of me bought 11 of those rubishy childrens magazines, she was having a party and wanted them to keep the children busy.

It was €55.

I’m sure there is a lot worse things that people have wasted money on, (and I can’t believe I am still thinking about It) but even one of them magazines is a total waste of money.

OP posts:
TillyBilly29 · 14/02/2024 22:53

Well, I've never bought 11 ! But I bought a children's magazine once for DS for a three hour train journey. Kept him entertained for the entire journey, I thought it was a fiver well spent!!!

AndThatWasNY · 14/02/2024 22:54

Probably Brexit.

Original poster
3luckystars · 15/02/2024 07:14

😂

OP posts:
Ricinpeas · 15/02/2024 07:17

Any ungent that purportes to eliminate signs of ageing or replace collagen

Tilleuil · 15/02/2024 07:17

Cloth masks during covid.

Genuinelyenquiring · 15/02/2024 07:18

HS2

JellyMouldJnr · 15/02/2024 07:18

HS2

NoCloudsAllowed · 15/02/2024 07:21

Royal family

NoCloudsAllowed · 15/02/2024 07:22

Magazines for kids are worth it ime, taking kids out, hiring bouncy castle etc all likely to cost more than £55

Justfinking · 15/02/2024 07:24

I think parents who get their kids (under say 12?) expensive clothes but then don't actually have money for other things. I have one friend who has to go back to work earlier than planned due to finances, but then wastes money on complete crap for her baby

midgetastic · 15/02/2024 07:27

One persons waste is another's essential- hair cut? Make up? Cosmetic surgery ? Eating out ?

Needmorelego · 15/02/2024 07:27

Modern children's magazines are essentially a mix of a puzzle book, educational activities or information, a story, some colouring and a small toy.
Why is that a waste of money?
Anyway.....
I think alcohol is a total waste of money but I expect that womans party will be full of it as "a nice bottle of wine" is such a Mumsnet stereotype.

shellyleppard · 15/02/2024 07:27

Designer clothes for children.....why???? They will outgrow them in months. Also HS2...... BIGGEST GOVERNMENT WHITE ELEPHANT EVER!!! 😂😂

GinForBreakfast · 15/02/2024 07:30

The royals.
The millennium dome.
Brexit.
Covid PPE debacle.
On a different scale, stupidly complicated and sweet speciality "coffees" from e.g. Starbucks.

Pleasebeafleabite · 15/02/2024 07:32

Leeds City Council city centre roadworks scheme. Topped off by a major bridge they closed for two years, reopened for a year and now just closed again just to fit a few bolts they could’ve fitted two years ago.

Needmorelego · 15/02/2024 07:33

@GinForBreakfast the Millennium Dome is currently a massive event arena plus has loads of restaurants and shops and always seems busy.
For something built almost 25 years ago and still being used I would say it's probably covered it's original costs.

CliffsofMohair · 15/02/2024 07:34

Toy Show the Musical.

Original poster
3luckystars · 15/02/2024 07:36

Yes you are all right, childrens magazines are good, I just remembered I used one myself in the hospital and it kept us busy, but they are so so expensive.
I just felt she could have gotten a load of colouring books, play doh, games etc with the money instead. It felt like a huge waste to me anyway. Maybe I need to get over my hatred for these magazines 😁

OP posts:
spottydinosaur · 15/02/2024 07:36

The person who was with his mother & 2 kids & spent £47 in Costa one day.

Something until that point I didn't think was possible 😂

Survivingmy3yearold · 15/02/2024 07:37

On a grand scale, the things already mentioned, brexit, HS2, the royal family, Covid ppe contracts.

On a day to day scale, I was in the supermarket one evening and stood behind and older man at the checkout who had picked up 7 hugely reduced large beef joints. The cashier commented that they were a really good price and replied that he probably wouldn't use them all as he was a single man and only had a small fridge with a box freezer in the top but they were such a good price he couldn't leave them on the shelf so took them all Confused The cashier looked shocked and said that she hoped they didn't go to waste and he said he'd eat what he could before they went off but that some of them might well end up in the bin Angry I really wish now I'd spoken up and asked if I could have one to for my family. I get they were stupidly cheap but what a waste of money (and food) to buy joints of meat you know you'll throw away!

MissusKay · 15/02/2024 07:38

Getting McDonald's delivered. Cold McDonald's fries are rank. I don't see the appeal. Get a takeaway that holds it's heat! 🤭

GinForBreakfast · 15/02/2024 07:38

@Needmorelego indeed but the original exhibition was a complete dud and none of the money it's making now has gone back to the taxpayer. Hence why I said the millenium dome and not the O2 arena or whatever it's called now.

Original poster
3luckystars · 15/02/2024 07:40

My friend spent $52 on ice creams for her children in Boston. She still goes on about it years later. That was a right sting.

OP posts:
daffodilandtulip · 15/02/2024 07:41

Most things my council does. Just fix the bloody potholes!

Needmorelego · 15/02/2024 07:42

@GinForBreakfast oh I didn't know that. I went when it was the actual "Millennium Dome" and all the exhibitions were sponsored by different companies so I have always assumed their sponsorship payments covered the costs.