I don't know where my money goes

[Snydley]

It's really about paying attention and making real efforts to pay the least for products at the lowest acceptable quality for you, even if that means delaying gratification. This requires consistent mental effort and some extra time invested in shopping. Most people just don't want to think about it.

Some recent examples, (1) I am waiting for coupons before buying seasonal Yankee candles (or I will only buy the scent on sale), and (2) my daughter is starting music lessons- electric guitar. I agreed because I found a studio that would give her lessons for $26 for 30min. The music studio said they have a guitar and amp for $189, I found the whole set-up off craigslist for $130.

She asked me to take violin lessons for 2 years and I said no because I couldn't find lessons for less than $200 a month and she was only 7-8 years old. I feel like parents don't say no to these types of things and they really should (kids are in too many activities and they are EXPENSIVE).

I must respectively disagree that a $5 and $50 bottle of wine taste the same, especially if it's red. Same for $1 shampoo, my DH uses it but my hair looks quite bad when I do.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Like a good five cent cigar, a good $1 bottle of shampoo has gotten hard to find. Brands I used to like at that price (Suave, White Rain, Alberto V-05) are just not the same as once upon a time. Reminds me that as a child my mom bought our large family shampoo in gallon and half gallon bottles! It was called Queen Helene and was super cheap. Decades later a friend on the west coast told me that Queen Helene was an expensive shampoo there and only came in petite bottles. Marketing is funny sometimes.

[GoodSteward]

I think people usually pay and ask a financial advisor if they can retire...

kind of like how people rely on the bank/mortgage lender to tell them how much house they can afford.

It takes effort and math skills to track your income, savings, and spending - some people just can't be bothered with that. "It's my money and I can spend it how I want to"

"I have no money" is an invitation to comment about their money and they reply "It's my money and I can spend it how I want to" which is followed by "I don't know where my money goes" and ends with "I have no money" Like a paradox of stupidity.

Add to the fact that many of the devices are purchased via credit card that doesn't get paid in full every month.

[DaveInPgh]

Like a good five cent cigar, a good $1 bottle of shampoo has gotten hard to find. Brands I used to like at that price (Suave, White Rain, Alberto V-05) are just not the same as once upon a time. Reminds me that as a child my mom bought our large family shampoo in gallon and half gallon bottles! It was called Queen Helene and was super cheap. Decades later a friend on the west coast told me that Queen Helene was an expensive shampoo there and only came in petite bottles. Marketing is funny sometimes.

Do you have a Dollar Tree store near you? If I can't get a deal (usually a combination of "rewards" & coupons) at the drugstore, I go to Dollar Tree and pick it up.

[disneysteve]

Like a good five cent cigar, a good $1 bottle of shampoo has gotten hard to find. Brands I used to like at that price (Suave, White Rain, Alberto V-05) are just not the same as once upon a time.

That is a valid point. I often refer to this as mental price-fixing. People want to pay the same price for things that they've always paid. So the folks who buy $1 shampoo want to keep paying $1, but they forget about inflation. The companies that make these products can't possibly keep making them for the same price as their production costs rise over time. The choice becomes raising the price, shrinking the package size, or changing the product in some way to reduce the expense of producing it.

It drives me crazy when they make the package smaller in order to keep the price the same. For example, try buying a half gallon of orange juice. Most companies now sell a 59oz container, not 64oz. Same with ice cream. In some cases, they actually keep the physical package the same and just put less in it.

[GoodSteward]

That is a valid point. I often refer to this as mental price-fixing. People want to pay the same price for things that they've always paid. So the folks who buy $1 shampoo want to keep paying $1, but they forget about inflation. The companies that make these products can't possibly keep making them for the same price as their production costs rise over time. The choice becomes raising the price, shrinking the package size, or changing the product in some way to reduce the expense of producing it.

It drives me crazy when they make the package smaller in order to keep the price the same. For example, try buying a half gallon of orange juice. Most companies now sell a 59oz container, not 64oz. Same with ice cream. In some cases, they actually keep the physical package the same and just put less in it.

You are right and that drives me nuts too. Now, we are running into the issue of not having enough of something and having to buy it sooner/more of it to cover the same amount of time we are used to one lasting. Such as that shampoo that used to last for a month now only lasts 3 weeks, now we have to buy two shampoos in one month. I could see milk being the same way, but i just use almond milk lol. Stupid lactose intolerance.

[disneysteve]

You are right and that drives me nuts too. Now, we are running into the issue of not having enough of something and having to buy it sooner/more of it to cover the same amount of time we are used to one lasting. Such as that shampoo that used to last for a month now only lasts 3 weeks, now we have to buy two shampoos in one month. I could see milk being the same way, but i just use almond milk lol. Stupid lactose intolerance.

It's also a problem when cooking and a recipe calls for a 16-oz can of whatever, except now they only sell 14.5-oz cans. So do you just put in less of that ingredient or do you have to buy a 2nd can to make up the difference and hope you find some use for the remainder so that it doesn't go to waste?

[phantom]

It's also a problem when cooking and a recipe calls for a 16-oz can of whatever, except now they only sell 14.5-oz cans. So do you just put in less of that ingredient or do you have to buy a 2nd can to make up the difference and hope you find some use for the remainder so that it doesn't go to waste?

Not to mention that even if I do want to buy a second can to make up the difference, I don't have a reliable way to measure an extra 1.5 ounces.

[disneysteve]

Not to mention that even if I do want to buy a second can to make up the difference, I don't have a reliable way to measure an extra 1.5 ounces.

Well that part is easy. 16oz is 2 cups.

[GoodSteward]

Not to mention that even if I do want to buy a second can to make up the difference, I don't have a reliable way to measure an extra 1.5 ounces.

You should invent a measuring cup or spoon that shows oz to be able to measure with. That would be epic!

[DaveInPgh]

In some cases, they actually keep the physical package the same and just put less in it.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Do you have a Dollar Tree store near you? If I can't get a deal (usually a combination of "rewards" & coupons) at the drugstore, I go to Dollar Tree and pick it up.

Yes, I've had many bottles from Dollar Tree and Deals. That is how I know that $1 bottles of shampoo aren't what they used to be. At one time I was quite pleased with the dollar store shampoos. But the ones I have bought are changed now. Do you have a dollar store brand to recommend?

[DaveInPgh]

Yes, I've had many bottles from Dollar Tree and Deals. That is how I know that $1 bottles of shampoo aren't what they used to be. At one time I was quite pleased with the dollar store shampoos. But the ones I have bought are changed now. Do you have a dollar store brand to recommend?

I have a clipper cut so might not be the best person to ask, but I have a child using VO5 frizz control and it has worked really well. Much better than some of the more expensive shampoos has.

I am using V05 dry scalp since I got a little sunburn on the dome a few weeks ago.

[GoodSteward]

I have a clipper cut so might not be the best person to ask, but I have a child using VO5 frizz control and it has worked really well. Much better than some of the more expensive shampoos has.

I am using V05 dry scalp since I got a little sunburn on the dome a few weeks ago.

[DaveInPgh]