Have you ever noticed that people who claim to have no money still seem to purchase expensive or unnecessary things? We all know someone who struggles with getting their financial priorities straight, perhaps opting for something frivolous over covering a necessity. In this article, we’ll uncover 18 of these things.
Flatscreen TVs
Despite financial challenges, many prioritize purchasing flatscreen TVs, especially during sales like Black Friday. These TVs are seen as a symbol of entertainment and status, demonstrating how societal pressures influence spending behaviors, often at the expense of more pressing financial needs.
Branded Clothing and Accessories
Despite being broke, certain individuals still spend what cash they can get their hands on on high-end brands like Versace and Moncler, items symbolic of a wealthier lifestyle. They attempt to hide their real financial situation by presenting themselves as wealthy, though these items may even be fake.
Loud Car Exhausts and Parts
Despite perhaps not having the nicest car or much money to spare, some people still want to enhance their car’s appearance and sound. As shared by Boyce Auto Repair, “Depending on the desired result, you can expect to spend anywhere between $500 to $2,000.” The cultural influence of automotive trends takes over, and people misplace their financial priorities in vehicle modification.
Pets They Can’t Afford
For some individuals, their love for animals overrides financial practicality. Despite struggling with finances, they often choose to keep pets and then struggle with proper care and maintenance. Their emotional attachment means that these people often have to go without other necessities to keep up with their animals.
Tattoos
You’ll quite often meet someone who is struggling financially and yet seems to constantly be getting new tattoos. These permanent body markings can be very expensive, particularly when it comes to large or elaborate designs. We don’t know why, but plenty of people strapped for cash prioritize getting tattooed over their other financial requirements.
Holidays
Typically bought with borrowed funds, some people feel pressure to maintain appearances and continue to go on extravagant trips that they can’t afford, leading to debt. They may use payday loans for their vacations to keep up a social media facade and then eventually face post-trip financial struggles.
Fancy Perfumes
As shared by CNN, “The price of premium perfumes recently soared by levels typically never seen for luxury fragrances.” Nevertheless, those who don’t have much money to spare are still splurging on them, viewing them as a symbol of higher social status. This spending habit reflects the prioritization of perceived status over financial sensibility.
Buying on Wish or AliExpress
The appeal of low-cost shopping on platforms like Wish or AliExpress often leads to people buying unnecessary items. These purchases, often impulsive, result in an accumulation of products that offer little value and contribute to the individual’s financial strain.
New Jordans or Latest Trendy Shoes
The desire to keep up with fashion trends, such as owning the latest Jordans, exemplifies the impulsive spending of those without much money. This tendency to prioritize fashion over financial stability showcases the powerful influence of consumer culture, causing people to neglect their financial responsibility for the sake of looking good.
Takeout
Putting an extra $30 aside for next month’s bills? No, that’s too much. Spending $30 on a quick and convenient meal? Why not! This is unfortunately the thought process of many who are broke—individuals who often have the misconception that eating out or ordering in is cheaper than cooking.
Fireworks and Trampolines
For some reason, people with no money seem to make random purchases like fireworks and trampolines, illustrating their unconventional spending habits. These often impulsive decisions can lead to further financial challenges, highlighting the importance of thoughtful and practical spending.
Lottery Tickets
According to Big Think, “Americans spend more on lottery tickets than movies, video games, and concerts combined. Leading the way are the lowest-income households.” While lottery tickets very rarely provide any financial return, hope is a strong motivator. For those who struggle with money, the potential to win it big is too much to resist.
Formal Clothes
Buying a new set of formal attire for each event or occasion leads to a closet filled with rarely-used clothes. This tendency to prioritize variety over practicality in wardrobe choices reflects broader patterns of unnecessary spending, common for some reason among those who don’t have much to spare.
Trendy Outfits
The influence of social media, advertising, and celebrities in driving the purchase of trendy clothes often results in an accumulation of items that are barely worn—solely bought to impress others. The smarter thing to do for those with no money would be to repeatedly wear clothes until a replacement is necessary.
Beauty Products and Supplies
Once more, the lure of the latest beauty products, which are often overhyped, leads to underused and unnecessary purchases. This habit, often undertaken by those with little money to spare, suggests a disconnect between perceived needs driven by advertising and actual practical use.
Planners, Calendars, and Journals
Surprisingly, people with no money often repeatedly purchase planners, calendars, and journals with the intention of starting new habits and changing their lives for the better. However, these items are often underutilized and end up being an unnecessary expense. The thought behind the purchase is good, but there are digital alternatives, and they likely have existing supplies.
Cigarettes and Alcohol
According to research, “Tobacco and alcohol expenditure appear to exacerbate poverty in low-income households.” No matter how badly they’re struggling, people always seem to find a way to fund their alcohol and cigarette habits. They may even prioritize these items over food or rent payments.
Hobby Gear
Without proper financial priorities in place, some people end up spending any cash they have on purchasing equipment for their hobbies, putting this before necessities like paying bills or getting sufficient groceries. The habit of acquiring largely unused gear emphasizes the need for more deliberate and practical spending choices.
Read More: 17 Things Society Can No Longer Do Because Gen Z Said So
Gen Z, our digital-native, trendsetting generation, is making waves in the cultural sea, steering the ship of societal norms in fresh and unexpected directions. As they charter new territories, there are certain practices they’d rather we say goodbye to. Curious? Let’s take a look at 17 things the rest of us can no longer do because Gen Z said so.
17 Things Society Can No Longer Do Because Gen Z Said So
18 Common Traits Found in Adults Who Had Unhappy Childhoods
Being a parent is a hard job, so even those who are truly trying their best will often miss the mark on creating the best environment for their children. Unfortunately, this means that many of us grow up with far-from-perfect childhoods that affect us into adulthood. Here are 18 common traits found in adults who had unhappy childhoods.
18 Common Traits Found in Adults Who Had Unhappy Childhoods
18 Things Old People Just Can’t Get On Board with Today
Over the past few decades, society has evolved, and with it, so have a few things that older generations find it uncomfortable to get the hang of. While younger generations are easily able to adapt to these changes, some of which are drastic, others may be struggling slightly. Here are 18 things the elderly may have difficulty learning.
18 Things Old People Just Can’t Get On Board with Today
19 Big Mistakes People Make After Losing a Spouse
Losing a spouse is one of life’s most tragic experiences, and when we’re overwhelmed by grief, we might make some decisions that we’ll later regret. Here are 19 mistakes people make after losing their spouse.
19 Big Mistakes People Make After Losing a Spouse
20 Time-Honored Practices Our Grandparents Followed That We Should Bring Back
Our grandparents had a far simpler life. There was no such thing as social media. Instead, there was more walking and meals were always fresh and homemade. With so many things keeping us busy nowadays, sometimes life would seem much easier if we lived the way our grandparents did.
20 Time-Honored Practices Our Grandparents Followed That We Should Bring Back