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AIBU?

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Original poster

You aren't "investing" your money, you're spending it.

307 replies

Torak · 05/03/2022 07:54

I hate it when people say they are "investing" in the purchase of some sort of pricey consumable item.

I'd be interested to see your ROI on that £500 baby sling. 🙄

Gifting is another one I hate. But today I'm irritable about investing.

OP posts:
VelvetChairGirl · 05/03/2022 13:06

should never just go to one jeweler anyway, if they value and buy they have a vested interest in putting it down when valuing it.

Seadragonusgiganticusmaximus · 05/03/2022 13:16

VelvetChairGirl

I don’t think we disagree here. The definition of investment I googled said “profit”. But as profit is income less expense then reducing future expenses is an investment as long as you expect the (additional) amount you spend will be exceeded by future savings.

My point was more about intention and was made in the context of the many posts about watches and bags. I have several watches, some of which are now worth much more than I paid for them. But I don’t consider them investments as I bought them for pleasure, not profit. I have no intention of ever realising these “profits”.

Some people may genuinely invest in watches and bags but in most cases they are just justifying paying a lot of money for something.

JTK392 · 05/03/2022 13:17

@OMG12

Am I the only person wondering if the dead persons handbag hand an imperial mint covered in fluff and an old persons metal nail file in it? Why would anyone want a dead persons bag in the first place, why would that be worth money?
You are not alone in your musings.
VelvetChairGirl · 05/03/2022 13:22

@Seadragonusgiganticusmaximus

VelvetChairGirl

I don’t think we disagree here. The definition of investment I googled said “profit”. But as profit is income less expense then reducing future expenses is an investment as long as you expect the (additional) amount you spend will be exceeded by future savings.

My point was more about intention and was made in the context of the many posts about watches and bags. I have several watches, some of which are now worth much more than I paid for them. But I don’t consider them investments as I bought them for pleasure, not profit. I have no intention of ever realising these “profits”.

Some people may genuinely invest in watches and bags but in most cases they are just justifying paying a lot of money for something.

I think theres nothing wrong with buying for profit as long as they provide an equal amount of pleasure.

I have 1 fancy watch that I bought with inheritance from grandma because I wanted something and not for all the money to just disappear on daily stuff, its worth just over twice what I paid for it about 5 years ago. I wouldnt rule out selling it at some point.

grinbear · 05/03/2022 13:31

@cptartapp

The 'investment' in childcare when mine were very young has paid off in more ways than one. My mental health remained intact, as did my skills and career and my pension looks great.
I did not invest in childcare and for the very reasons you've stated, wish i had done. Particularly regarding my sanity and pension.
CounsellorTroi · 05/03/2022 13:32

“ Welcoming “ is another annoying one.
“So and so welcomed a new baby”

Couldn’t agree more. Sounds like the baby made its own way home.

BusinessMindThoughts · 05/03/2022 14:02

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Cars do normally depreciate like mad but right now with the issues in the supply chain, a well looked after newish car can easily have gone up in value. A family member has a 2 year old ex-demonstrator car. The garage that sold it to them has offered to buy it back for more than they paid.
Yes, this is crazy at the moment! I looked into buying the same car again that I already have (just out of interest) - it's 10 years old and the equivalents are nearly the same price I paid 5 years ago!
TatianaBis · 05/03/2022 14:06

@Seadragonusgiganticusmaximus

VelvetChairGirl

I don’t think we disagree here. The definition of investment I googled said “profit”. But as profit is income less expense then reducing future expenses is an investment as long as you expect the (additional) amount you spend will be exceeded by future savings.

My point was more about intention and was made in the context of the many posts about watches and bags. I have several watches, some of which are now worth much more than I paid for them. But I don’t consider them investments as I bought them for pleasure, not profit. I have no intention of ever realising these “profits”.

Some people may genuinely invest in watches and bags but in most cases they are just justifying paying a lot of money for something.

The definition is for either for profit or for material results.
Blossomtoes · 05/03/2022 14:07

We’ve both got PCP deals. Our cars are 2.5 years old and the dealership is desperate to get its hands on them. The salesperson almost had an orgasm when I told them one of them has less than 5k miles on the clock.

SilverCatStripes · 05/03/2022 14:19

Well OP I think YANBU, I also dislike the use of “gift” as a verb, and the use of “curate” from anyone who doesn’t work in a museum!

May I also say this thread has turned into pure gold ! Any else waiting for PollyPage to post her photos ??

D0lphine · 05/03/2022 14:19

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Cars do normally depreciate like mad but right now with the issues in the supply chain, a well looked after newish car can easily have gone up in value. A family member has a 2 year old ex-demonstrator car. The garage that sold it to them has offered to buy it back for more than they paid.
Yeah I completely agree - I had a pcp car with some money left to pay off. I saw what they were going for on auto trader and I sold it for double the amount of money I had left to pay off!

But I do think that this is a very narrow time specific and unusual situation caused by the supply chain, as a result of covid. Will be back to normal soon I think!

JTK392 · 05/03/2022 14:21

Any else waiting for PollyPage to post her photos ??

Yes! C’mon PollyPage

I want to see dead person’s handbag. 👜

Lockheart · 05/03/2022 14:22

@JTK392

Any else waiting for PollyPage to post her photos ??

Yes! C’mon PollyPage

I want to see dead person’s handbag. 👜

You'll be waiting a while Wink Elvis has left the building, as it were.
girlmom21 · 05/03/2022 14:30

May I also say this thread has turned into pure gold !

Great investment OP Wink

Avocadobacardi · 05/03/2022 14:35

Rolexes really are currently an investment. The cost of them has skyrocketed over the last few years. Some which were selling at £3500 in 2013 are currently over £12k. Better investment than having your money in a bank! I have a 1991 one, £1500, the most basic model. Currently selling at about £6700. Will it last? Who knows but it’s supply and demand and currently there’s limited supply

TerraNovaTwo · 05/03/2022 14:35

YANBU. Except for 'investing in property', which can be used for old age care. Still spending though, unless you're a property tycoon.

Avocadobacardi · 05/03/2022 14:36

By the way, wasn’t boight in 1991, bought 2015

Parfait · 05/03/2022 14:38

@JTK392

We have 12 rolexes, worth about 10 to 20k each. I have 4 1980s chanel bags, one owned by someone famous and dead, total worth around 30k

Isn’t this type of valuation meaningless unless it is given in context of your net worth?

Money is money!
hugr · 05/03/2022 14:39

@MissBPotter

Haha yeah I see people saying ‘an investment piece’ for something expensive. How many handbags/coats/dresses go UP in value or make you money?! I think it’s a marketing tool. It’s just spending as you say. Maybe it’s worth it to get good quality that will last for years, but highly unlikely to be an investment.
You don't have to make money for it to be an investment
RosesAndHellebores · 05/03/2022 14:47

@avocadobacardi if they were a good investment is 2013 and have rocketed from £3.5 to £12k they may not be such a good investment now. Nobody makes money buying at the top of the market.

SnackSizeRaisin · 05/03/2022 14:59

I would have said that if I was buying baby/kid stuff and tossing up whether to get a cheap or standard version that would last 1 kid or an exy one that would last for 4 kids and still be able to be passed on. Same principle with things like my coats, shoes etc.

I think people over estimate the difference between cheap and expensive. Most baby items bought cheap will easily last several babies. The difference is really in fashion rather than function, apart from maybe at the extremely cheap end. But IKEA or Asda or Aldi will function just as well as John Lewis for most things. What items are you thinking would only last one child for the standard version?

Same with coats. I have a 23 pound coat from decathlon that was bought 10 years ago. It still looks identical to when it was bought.

Shoes are perhaps an exception but I don't believe there's any difference in quality between £100 and £500. There's a big difference between £20 and £100.

Seadragonusgiganticusmaximus · 05/03/2022 15:00

TatianaBis

What does “material results” mean?

Avocadobacardi · 05/03/2022 15:06

@RosesAndHellebores that’s true. I’m just saying that they can be a good investment.

LynetteScavo · 05/03/2022 16:19

I'm totally with you OP. I was told by someone trying to sell me carpet it is an investment. Carpet in my teens room, which will probably get trashed by spilled drinks, in a house I have no intention of selling in the next 20 years is not an investment. Good quality underly, maybe, but not carpet.

AskingforaBaskin · 05/03/2022 16:20

There was actually some news piece on the radio the other day about how Chanel bags have risen in value. So they would resale for more than originally bought.

I am from poor stock so only half listened as the idea I would ever own a Chanel bag is laughable.