to ask you what things people spend money on that you just don't understand?

[FeelinTwentySixPointTwo]

This isn't a judgey thread or a bashing thread. People are absolutely free to spend their money on whatever they choose. Horses for courses.

But that said.. what expensive things do you see other people spending their money on that you simply don't "get"?

Mine is personalised numberplates. Cannot compute why anyone would care what combo of numbers or letters is on their car.

Interested to see what others think!

Not regularly, as in every couple of months, no. It’s not something I would spend my money on.

@EthicsOnThePrecipice That's quite a list. Feels like you already had that ready for when the opportunity came to get it off your chest!

@Emmy0A That feels like a copy and paste from ChatGPT?

I thought that chewing (sugar free) gum reduces the risk of cavities because it gets saliva and enzymes flowing which help protect your teeth and wash away stuck food particles. I’m thoroughly prepared to be told that this is a lie sold to me by Big Gum, though.

I wouldn't say I don't understand why people spend money on things I wouldn't, I realise that things I have no interest in serve a purpose for other people. But there is plenty I find a waste of money:

Religion (including new age spiritual stuff)
Regular beauty regimes like botox/eyebrow threading/etc.
Diamonds and other precious stones (and pretty much all jewelry)
Football kits for major league clubs
Ferraris (they're so ugly)
China knick knacks
Bikes and biking
Drones
Gambling
Nicotine

Realising writing this that I also think I spend money on stuff that's a waste. I need to get my act together!

It’s not something I would spend my money on

Which isn’t the same as not actually understanding though.

Exactly. I really do not want to get into the whole private/ state debate. But my dc school is worth every penny!

Children (not goady I genuinely don't understand how people can sign up for so many sets of nursery fees etc I would be so filled with resentment).

Horses. So expensive to look after and care for horses. Hair extensions and going to a posh salon. Cigarettes. That’s about it.

That’s a long list.

Fabric conditioner and fake nails.

The first one smells all weird and artificial, the second makes it almost impossible to do normal things like cooking or gardening.

But I'll happily blow silly money on great meals in restaurants that other people would think is stupid.

The latest phone or tech. I don't judge others but do judge the old me that used to do it.
Designer dogs
Horses
In-game purchases.
Santa experiences that charge the adults and that the child will never remember.
Refreshing anything(wardrobe, house etc) purely to keep up with fashion rather than because something needs replacing.
Fancy cars (to me, this means anything vaguely new 🤣)
Anything bought purely to keep up with others, with appearances or for social media.

No regrets:
Holidays
Theatre/concert/sports tickets
Hairdresser
Plants
Meals out
Wine

🤣🤣 not really, just a few things off the top of my head

I can understand a lot of the suggestions even if they aren't my my kind of thing.

However, I do not get towing caravans. Most campsites that allow caravans also have statics....or there will be a site nearby with some. Statics are bigger and won't wreck your car or cause a traffic jam bevause they are so slow or always crashing on A30. They also don't sit on your driveway unused and going green for most of the year while you take up all the parking spaces on the street.

BTW I am not being judgey about the concept of a caravan, I stay in statics....just the whole towing one seems crazy to me.

Designer handbags. I mean, really? 20 grand for a poxy handbag? Ditto very expensive watches. I'd be just as happy with a fake costing a fraction of the price. And as for people who spend thousands on a pedigree dog (or cat) I'm lost for words. So many in rescue centres needing homes,it's seems like a crime to me to pay some exorbitant price for a pure bred.

Cars. Obviously I understand needing a car (although actually I think more people should think about whether they really do need a car) — but if you do need one, surely you can get a reliable secondhand car for what, a couple of thousand pounds? The idea of spending tens of thousands of pounds more than that for a new, fancy car seems absolutely bonkers to me. Who cares what it looks like? Its job is to get you from A to B! That’s it!

Expensive clothes just for the logo, like £100 on a plain blue t-shirt but has the logo on it. It screams 'new money', unlike my clothing which i suspect screams 'no money'.

I spend too much money on food, takeaways and fags so I suppose you could say at least the people spending £100 on a t-shirt etc get something that lasts longer out of it.

Unless it's your money these people are spending, you're under no pressure to 'get' it.

Weddings. That’s all.

My SIL's spending generally baffles me. I think she feels the same about mine, I think we just value very different things.

Every school year, her kids get a new school bag of their choosing and she throws the old one away regardless of its condition.

Every year, they get a new set of matching Christmas pyjamas as a family

Every big holiday she takes - like anything over a week, she will buy an entirely new wardrobe for

Designer handbags, shoes, watches etc that cost £££ or ££££. Plenty of well-made and vastly cheaper alternatives are available.

Five star package holiday prices for a distinctly three star experience.

Brand new cars. Even a car 12 months old is better value.

Many new build houses: shoddily built and overpriced.

Going to a running shop and "having your gait analysed" to tell you that you over-pronate, like most people (esp. women). Then you get rinsed for £150+ of stabilty shoe. LOL. Buy last season's (at least) online, try them out for longer at home on carpet, and replace the insole with arch support insoles bought for £8 online. Or better still, discover cheaper cushioned shoes are just fine with the supportive insoles and expensive stability shoes are not required at all.

Fancy food especially fish related dishes that are super expensive. Also expensive chocolate. I'm happy with a chicken madras and a bar of dairy milk. 😂

I read the title and also thought of personalised number plates.

I agree, I know it’s smaller classes and all that but a good one to one tutor for a few hours on the weekend is cheaper. I am a private tutor though so I’m biased.

Ok, well I don’t understand it then.

Lots of things, quite a long list, but mostly I don’t judge people for it, I just don’t have the same feeling of needing those things. I do judge people who buy dogs from breeders rather than rescuing, but things like big lips and range rovers, well, your money your choice.