Worst Justifications for Spending You Have Ever Heard

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by rob62521

And I forgot...you are watching an ad on television and they show the product and it's only $19.95...and then they add, "But wait, we'll throw in _________" for a total value of $54.00 or a bigger amount. I guess the justification for that would be, "Can't pass up a deal like that." when it should be "If it's too good to be true, then it really isn't true."

Also, with these ads, they have started saying things like, "If you call in the next ten minutes..." (a tactic they've borrowed from the shopping networks) as if they have any clue when these ads run or have any other offer for people who call after ten minutes, etc.

It's laughable.

I've thought about calling in before acting like I want something and then saying... "Oh no. I didn't call within 10 minutes. Oh well." They'd probably say, "That's ok, you can still order." And I'd say, "No, fair is fair... I missed out. I'll call again when I see the ad next time."

In a similar fashion, ever notice how they sometimes will say, "If you call now we'll double the bottle, from 12oz to a whopping 24oz size!" (And through the magic of television special effects, the bottle on the screen grows.) It would be fun to call in and say, "I don't want the 24oz size, just give me the 12oz size." Since they probably don't have, and possibly never made the product in, a 12 oz size, it would be fun to hear them explain to you that such wasn't available.

LOL

[DarkMagus8]

man thats bad

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by poundwise

....
It's laughable.

I've thought about calling in before acting like I want something and then saying... "Oh no. I didn't call within 10 minutes. Oh well." They'd probably say, "That's ok, you can still order." And I'd say, "No, fair is fair... I missed out. I'll call again when I see the ad next time."
LOL

ROLF! I love it, and yes I have thought the same thing!

[rob62521]

I like that evil streak, Poundwise! It would be a hoot!

[musicalbabe85]

[quote=sweeps;169497]Playing the lottery: "You gotta play to win!" QUOTE]

Grrr....my husband uses this one everytime I start telling him that the little bit that he does win doesn't even cover what he has spent!!

[brig2221]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Just this past weekend, my sister-in-law, who just got back from a 10-day vacation at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, said that as soon as they pay off this trip, they'll go into debt again to take another because "if we waited until we could afford it, we'd never get there."

I vacillate back and forth on this type of reasoning. I guess it depends on the overall financial health of the person in question. Generally speaking though, I can actually stomach this. Assuming that you aren't putting your family in a huge financial hole, there is some credence to living for today, and enjoying youself a bit while you are younger and have a family.

Remember, anything to the extreme is typically bad. I think we all too often see the extreme of overspending here, but I sometimes (not pointing fingers at the OP here) see it on the opposite end as well, and that is oversaving, worrying too much about the future, and not enjoying the present as much as you could while still being very prudent financially, because none of us know if we will still be here tomorrow.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by brig2221

I vacillate back and forth on this type of reasoning. I guess it depends on the overall financial health of the person in question. Generally speaking though, I can actually stomach this. Assuming that you aren't putting your family in a huge financial hole, there is some credence to living for today, and enjoying youself a bit while you are younger and have a family.

I understand what you're saying, but I think it makes a whole lot more sense to save for a year and then go, then save for another year and go again, than to go on credit and take a year to repay, then go on credit again and take a year to repay. If you can afford to make the payments, you can afford to save in advance. That way you also don't pay the interest (you collect it instead) and, if something were to happen along the way and you needed the money for a more urgent problem, you'd have it.

The couple in my example are totally "live for today" kinds of people. I'm willing to bet they have little if anything saved for the future.

[brig2221]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I understand what you're saying, but I think it makes a whole lot more sense to save for a year and then go, then save for another year and go again, than to go on credit and take a year to repay, then go on credit again and take a year to repay. If you can afford to make the payments, you can afford to save in advance. That way you also don't pay the interest (you collect it instead) and, if something were to happen along the way and you needed the money for a more urgent problem, you'd have it.

The couple in my example are totally "live for today" kinds of people. I'm willing to bet they have little if anything saved for the future.

I generally agree with what you are saying.

On a side note, I tend to think sometimes that these types of posts are subtle jabs at the masses, and meant to put ourselves (those with money and savings) above the rest of the fray. I am not accusing anyone of doing this on purpose, just that it might be out there. I know I have to check myself sometimes, keeping myself from sitting a top my financial mountain and summarily passing judgement on all the dumb peasants out there frittering all their money away. I am the smart one, they are just stupid, just look at how they spend their money.

I am not saying anyone in this thread has said that or implied it, but I will definitely raise my hand and tell you that those thoughts creep into my head a lot when I run into many of the cases that posters have outlines in this thread. I have to remind myself that my way isn't the absolute right way all of the time and for every person, and that I am not a "better" person just on the grounds that I am financially responsible, whereas they may not be.

I think we too often ignore how people are brought up. Many of you on this thread are die hard savers and proud to be so, also claim that you got many of those traits from how your parents raised you. I think we often tend to ignore that the flip side is probably also true for many of these people. It doesn't necessarily justify their actions or rationale by any means, but it does lend some perspective.

[Caoineag]

Originally Posted by brig2221

...

Remember, anything to the extreme is typically bad. I think we all too often see the extreme of overspending here, but I sometimes (not pointing fingers at the OP here) see it on the opposite end as well, and that is oversaving, worrying too much about the future, and not enjoying the present as much as you could while still being very prudent financially, because none of us know if we will still be here tomorrow.

No worries about you pointing fingers at me. I chose to ask this question as much for amusement as self reflection (can be very guilty of bad justifications, especially in my not too distant past). Its easier for me to see bad justifications if someone points them out. Trust me, I am no paragon of financial virtue let alone a cheapskate. A quick glance at my blog or some of my forum posts would give that away, lol.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by brig2221

I think we too often ignore how people are brought up. Many of you on this thread are die hard savers and proud to be so, also claim that you got many of those traits from how your parents raised you.

That's an interesting point. I think upbringing is sometimes a factor and other times not. I believe a lot of this truly is ingrained, hard-wired in our brains somehow.

My example was about my sister-in-law. That is my wife's sister. My wife is a dedicated saver (long before she married me), very careful with her money and a frugal shopper.

Her sister, a couple of years older, is anything but. When she was a teen, she wanted to buy a car. Their father said that if she saved money every month for 6 months, showing that she could consistently make payments, he would match her savings after 6 months and she'd be able to get a much better car. She had a fit and refused to do that and went out and bought some piece of junk on her own. So even at a fairly young age, her mindset was clear. She's had money problems ever since and married a guy who was even worse than her.

There is one other sister who is also very good with money and married a guy who is the same. Same house, same parents, same lessons. Totally different outcomes.

[Caoineag]

Originally Posted by brig2221

...
I think we too often ignore how people are brought up. Many of you on this thread are die hard savers and proud to be so, also claim that you got many of those traits from how your parents raised you. I think we often tend to ignore that the flip side is probably also true for many of these people. It doesn't necessarily justify their actions or rationale by any means, but it does lend some perspective.

My parents have had credit card debt there whole life. I am quite sure I learned some of my bad habits from them. But the blame for my finances goes no further than me. My parents stopped being responsible for my money habits when I was 16. Everyone is part environment and part genetics. But why focus on the part you can't change when you can focus on the part you can?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My parents are spendthrifts. My mom even says so. They just so happened to out earn stupid. Again my mom's words.

They changed cars ever 2-3 years, they leased cars every year. My parents travelled a lot and never cared for their home. So the value of their home is very low compared to if it had been properly maintained.

In retirement they bought another condo with a mortgage. Is that wise? HELL NO! But they have to learn that they can't keep out earning stupid. And it's finally starting to sink in at 56 and 77.

Fortunately my dad worked for a long time! But otherwise they'd be sunk. NO ONE SPEND $10k on a trip to Japan for 3 days. People don't blow money like that.

So I'm not exactly sure my parents taught me much. They taught me CC debt is bad. But otherwise even NOW my mom whines "Why can't you afford a lexus, mercedes, BMW?" Why can't you just travel? Because they spent everything. Only now are they realizing you can't blow through money when you are on a fixed income.

So any bad habits I have I learned myself. The one thing my mom did was give me a CC at age 13 to learn how to use one properly. I never charged more than I could afford.

[hakuna matata]

I think if you are raised to be a saver you might be more likely to be one, but not all savers were raised to be one. My family wasn't a saving family-my father barely made enough to keep the family afloat, let alone plan for the future. So I wasn't a saver when I was younger--it is only now that I am older that I see the value of it.

For me it was the light bulb of finally understanding compounding interest and paying myself first. Something that most people aren't taught, nor ever learn.

My wife and I have vowed our daughter won't graduate high school without understanding these simple concepts.

[JanH]

"But I've been good lately...." And that is an echo from my own head...

[Caoineag]

Originally Posted by JanH

"But I've been good lately...." And that is an echo from my own head...

Oh very similar to the voice in my head that says I have been so good lately that I deserve it.

Doesn't that just erase the good???

[tifnglen]

My friend who has 2 repos on her credit and has never paid another friend back the $2500 loan says 'You only live once...I am going to get what I want" while buying $400 watch....

[TBH]

"Credit card interest is just part of the cost of living nowadays."

[rob62521]

Originally Posted by hakuna matata

I think if you are raised to be a saver you might be more likely to be one, but not all savers were raised to be one. My family wasn't a saving family-my father barely made enough to keep the family afloat, let alone plan for the future. So I wasn't a saver when I was younger--it is only now that I am older that I see the value of it.

Anyone remember the play and/or movie, "I Remember Mama"? In it, each week when father brings home the pay, they go through and set aside money to pay their bills, and with relief they say, "well, we won't have to go to the bank this week" or something like that implying they might have to take money out of savings. At the end of the play, Mama tells the daughter they really didn't have any money in the bank, but they wanted the kids to feel secure so they told them that. You quote kind of made me think of that...you learned from your parents and from your own experiences, hakuna! Good for you!

On another note, I think it was either implied or said, "I deserve to buy ______ because I work so hard."

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by hakuna matata

I think if you are raised to be a saver you might be more likely to be one, but not all savers were raised to be one. My family wasn't a saving family-my father barely made enough to keep the family afloat, let alone plan for the future. So I wasn't a saver when I was younger--it is only now that I am older that I see the value of it.

For me it was the light bulb of finally understanding compounding interest and paying myself first. Something that most people aren't taught, nor ever learn.

My wife and I have vowed our daughter won't graduate high school without understanding these simple concepts.

Wow, I think I could have easily been the one to say those words!

I grew up watching my folks buy a new cars every few years, or when the next years model came out that was better. Buy what they wanted whenever they wanted. I always thought my Dad's business was a money machine, and for the most part it was. But what I didn't realize is what they were NOT doing. And that was to NOT save anything. I only found out within the last couple of months that the only savings or retirement money they have is my Mom's USPS pension and Dad's SS check.

I finally got my eye opening about 6 years ago when I went to work for my current employer. I had never saved anything, or had a retirement account. I had no clue what I was doing when I signed up for our SIMPLE IRA plan.

Back on track here..... My main reasoning was simply because I wanted it. Whenever my folks wanted something, they bought it. So that was right in my mind. I'm not blaming my folks, that's just what I thought (learned) was right.

I am excited to see the way my kids deal with their allowances and birthday money. They both have online savings accounts. When they get $100, they buy a Savings Bond. My son just bought his first in his name only this Saturday (I had been buying them for him with both our names on them). I was a very proud father to watch him go to the counter (while I stood back and watched) and hand over his mostly completed form and tell the clerk "I need to buy a savings bond please." The clerk really played it up too, he was awesome! Watching my son (7, be 8 in September) signing the form was the best part! I put that copy in my safe, that one's a keeper!

[rob62521]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I am excited to see the way my kids deal with their allowances and birthday money. They both have online savings accounts. When they get $100, they buy a Savings Bond. My son just bought his first in his name only this Saturday (I had been buying them for him with both our names on them). I was a very proud father to watch him go to the counter (while I stood back and watched) and hand over his mostly completed form and tell the clerk "I need to buy a savings bond please." The clerk really played it up too, he was awesome! Watching my son (7, be 8 in September) signing the form was the best part! I put that copy in my safe, that one's a keeper!

How terrific that your son is this smart so young! Maybe we should have a new thread on justifications on savings! This would be good start!