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I’ll Have A Burger, Fries, and an Extra Large Debt

It’s easy to see financial problems when you’re on the outside looking in. When you see your friends wasting money on stupid things you are quick to point it out because you can’t find the logic in why they are spending their money so irresponsibly.

It really does take a strong person to admit that they have a lot to learn when it comes to money, and sometimes it’s helpful to share criticisms of the way others spend their money because it helps us realize our own downfalls. Below is a short list of some of my biggest pet peeves with money. Be sure to add some of your own in the comments below.

Pet Peeves with Money

These are just a few things that annoy me. Some are more minor than others, but each has it’s own special place in my heart.

1. Upsizing Your Drink When You Are Eating In

A small soda, or pop for the uninitiated, at a fast food restaurant costs about $1. An extra large is usually double that. Almost all restaurants offer free refills on drinks, so why on earth would you even consider buying a extra large drink?

I drink more than most Bactrian camels (and Dromedary ones for that matter), and I still think it’s a waste of money. The average American eats about 20 fast food meals per month. Wouldn’t you rather have the extra $20 to save, pay off some debt, or just go out to the movies?

The only argument I’ve heard that has any ounce (get it? ounce…) of credibility is that people like taking their drinks with them after they leave, but do you really think that after downing three double cheeseburgers, a large fry, and 40 ounces of Dr. Pepper you should be taking another 400 calories to go?

2. Selling Items When You Need Cash And Re-Buying Them Later

I have a friend that used to do this constantly. Years ago, he bought his first Xbox 360. Six months later he decided that he’d rather have the cash to buy a Nintendo Gamecube and a ton of games. A couple of months after that he decided that he wanted the Xbox again. He repeated that process twice.

He has now essentially spent over $900 on a game system that originally cost him $400. Would you pay $40,000 for a Honda Civic? Then why would you pay over 200% of the retail cost for something else?

This friend has since become much more sane, but his financial antics were always amusing and occasionally irritating.

3. Buying Something Nice To Reward Yourself For Saving So Much

You did so well this month by working towards your savings goal and not spending a lot of money that you should get a reward right? Wrong. So you saved $200 extra this month. That’s great news, until you tell me that you celebrated by getting a new cell phone that cost you $400.

Do you not realize what you have done or do you just choose to ignore it? People do this all the time and it’s one of the main causes for getting into debt. They just spend money and never stop. Saving money for one month won’t get you ahead. It’s the longevity of the saving process that makes all the difference.

What Do You Do?

One pet peeve of my own is simply buying things because I can afford it, even though I know I won’t have time for it. I’m already too busy as it is so why would I think I can make time for learning underwater basket weaving? I’m not sure but $500 for an underwater basket weaving kit is a pretty good deal.

When you put it into the perspective of something as stupid as underwater basket weaving, it’s easier to see that you are wasting your time and money when you can be using them for something much more productive.

What things do your friends and family do with their money that you simply cannot comprehend? Do you knowingly waste your own money but can’t understand why?

Leave your story in the comments below or share this article with a money wasting friend.