Lifestyle

20 Things You Should Never Buy Even If You Have the Money

20 Things You Should Never Buy Even If You Have Money

You can learn a lot about people by their spending habits. What they spend their money on will tell a lot. However, sometimes it’s more revealing what people won’t spend their money on. Based on thousands of answers across the internet, here are 20 things most people say you should never buy, even if you have money.

20 Things You Should Never Buy Even If You Have the Money

1. Designer Baby Clothes

Items with designer labels can cost hundreds of dollars. Therefore, buying designer baby clothes doesn’t make much sense since they will outgrow them in a few months. Some may argue that it is worth investing in quality clothing. But if you can only use the item for a few months, then you are wasting your money.

2. High-Fashion Couture

Although I do own some name-brand clothing, high-fashion couture is an entirely different animal. Not only is it expensive, but it’s often uncomfortable, impractical, and overpriced. You can still find trendy, high-quality items for a fraction of the cost. Finding well-made items that you can wear again and again are better for your wallet and long-term savings plan.

3. Diamonds

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But these days, I would prefer to find cheaper, ethically sourced alternatives that are much more affordable. Not only are they just as beautiful, but most people can’t tell the difference without closer inspection. Save yourself the money and put it to use somewhere else in your budget.

4. Oversized Mansions

Many people have the hope of owning a nice home. But, there is a difference between a large home and an oversized mansion. Who needs 20 bedrooms or a 24-car garage? And, can you imagine how much it would cost to maintain a residence that big? Most of us would prefer something that is more liveable and less of a budgetary strain.

5. High-end Sports Cars

For some people, a high-end sports car is the ultimate sign of success. However, you could spend a million dollars for a new Ferrari or Lamborgini just to have it depreciate as soon as you drive it off the lot. Market research shows that these cars lose 10% of their value in the first month and 20% in the first year. Furthermore, they are expensive to maintain and repair. While some may be planning to buy their dream car, there are more practical and financially beneficial ways you could enjoy this kind of money.

6. Yachts

Yachts and mega-yachts are another status symbol of the ultra-rich. Unless you are living on one, they are usually another wasteful expenditure that rarely gets used. Like luxury sports cars, they are costly to maintain and serve no practical purpose.

7. Edible Gold

You may have heard of this fad because it’s so hard to believe. But sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. Indeed, some restaurants feature dishes made with edible gold. But at $15,000 a pound, it hardly seems worth the price. No matter how delectable the dish is, no food is worth its weight in gold.

8. Exotic Pets

You will see many of the rich and famous with exotic pets. Unfortunately, these animals are often the result of poaching or have come from facilities that don’t properly care for their animals. Some only breed them for profit while others are guilty of mistreating the animals in their care. Therefore, exotic pets are among the things you should never buy since your money could be supporting their illegal and inhumane activities.

9. Lavish Weddings

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. However, the days of going overboard may be over. A lavish wedding is a huge and unnecessary expense, especially when a couple is just starting their life together. Instead of starting in debt, the money could be better spent on a down payment for a house or other assets that could make them more financially stable.

10. Overpriced Alcohol

Some people invest in fine wine or expensive alcohol. Certain bottles can bring good returns in time. However, most alcohol over $60 has diminishing returns. So if you’re buying for personal consumption, why not pay less for something that tastes just as good?

11. Timeshares

A timeshare may be perfect for family getaways. But, what do you do when you can’t use it during your specified time? And how long will it take to find a buyer when the time comes? Most owners would tell you to skip the headache because timeshares are one of those things you should never buy. It may be wiser to opt for a hotel or vacation rental instead.

12. Extended Warranties

Purchasing an extended warranty may seem smart in theory. However, they usually come with a high price tag and won’t always cover everything that could go wrong. Since most of us will never use them anyway, you may as well skip the extended warranty and bypass another cost that rarely offers any return.

13. DVDs

Be honest…when was the last time you watched a DVD? Although many of us used to have them, nowadays most people watch movies through their streaming services. And even if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can purchase one-time rentals to stream.  It may be worthwhile to keep your favorites, but giving up DVDs could save you money and storage space.

14. New Tech on the Release Date

Many loyal customers line up to be the first to have the latest tech. But in reality, the new releases are usually overpriced and under-tested technology. And, it will probably be upgraded and available at a reduced price within a year. So, it may be a better financial move to wait for the improved features or buy older tech on the new release dates.

15. Greeting Cards

With graduation and wedding season coming up, it’s time to stock up on greeting cards. But, I’m always taken aback when I get to the register and find out they are $5 each. To save money, I either buy them in bulk or look for deals at the dollar store. And better yet, making them yourself or sending an e-card is free. So, why waste money on things you should never buy when there are cheaper and more personal options available?

16. Premium Gas

Gearheads and mechanics may disagree, but you don’t need to spend more for premium gas. Your car manual may recommend premium gas. But, the average car will still run efficiently on regular gas without damaging the engine.

17. Bottled Water

Some of my friends and family members buy bottled water for convenience. I’ve also had others tell me that bottled mineral water is better for your health. However, studies show that 64% of bottled water is just regular tap water. Using a filter or reusable bottle is not only cheaper, but also better for the environment.

18. Name-brand Pharmaceuticals

Unfortunately, this may not be an option for some medications. But when there are alternatives, name-brand pharmaceuticals are one of the things you should never buy. This can save you a ton of money if you have regular prescriptions to fill. However, you will likely find the best deals with over-the-counter medicines. If you aren’t sure, you can always ask your pharmacist to guarantee you are buying the equivalent product.

19. Specialized Kitchen Gadgets

If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you should invest in a quality set of knives and cookware. You may even have some handy gadgets that make food prep easier. But items from the houseware catalogs and specialty stores aren’t worth your money. Unless it is something you will use regularly, these gadgets are another expense you don’t need.

20. Cardboard Boxes

People used to pay for cardboard boxes when they needed to ship something or move. But thanks to Amazon, most of us now have an overabundance of boxes. Instead of spending your money when you need more, track down free boxes from local supermarkets, recycling centers, or other stores in your area.

What do you think are things that you should never buy even if you have money? Share your thoughts below!

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Making a Career and Life of Travel

Making a Career and Life of Travel

People have always asked why I felt such a strong urge to travel. The truth is that I caught the travel bug when I was only a teenager. I knew I wanted to find a way to build a career and a life of travel. While I tried to ignore it and choose a stable career path, I was never happy or fulfilled. If you are facing a similar dilemma, here’s how I found a compromise between my head and my heart that didn’t leave my bank accounts empty.

Making All the “Right” Choices

I come from a lower-middle-class working family. My parents worked hard to provide for us. And, they believed that a college education was the key to a bright future. Although this was true for me, they didn’t realize that it would open up more than a successful career path. College presented me with a whole new world of opportunities and reignited my desire to travel.

When I shared my excitement to study abroad, they would dampen my enthusiasm. With the best of intentions, they would try to direct me toward careers with better job prospects and salaries. However, I was stubborn. And, I had big dreams of exploring the world and experiencing other cultures. Yet enough of their concerns over the cost of travel helped convinced me that I needed to be more “realistic” with my plans.

As a compromise, I pursued dual degrees in history and education. I thought I could be happy teaching what I love and enjoy greater job security. But by the final semester of my senior year, I knew it was a mistake. I went to my advisor to share my sudden change of heart, and it led to one of the most honest conversations I have ever had about what I wanted for my future. It opened my eyes to the fact that I didn’t need to settle for a life I didn’t want. But most importantly, it showed me that there are several lucrative ways to build a career and life of travel

Looking for a Better Way

That day forever changed the course of my life. I realized that I didn’t need to define myself by other people’s standards of success. I also understood that it was possible to have the lifestyle I wanted and still find a way to support myself.

So, my next step was a big one that led me to study abroad. After graduation, I started a post-graduate degree in another country and pursued a degree in anthropology. This took me out of the work culture of corporate America and exposed me to an entirely different worldview. There were all types of new job opportunities. And since I was already familiar with the student visa process, it was a relatively easy transition into a professional career abroad.

When I finished my degree, I realized the only path to career advancement in my concentration was through academia. Although I have a passion for education, the world of academia is highly competitive, even cutthroat at times, and that’s just not me. Plus, I didn’t want to spend my life applying for grants and being under the thumb of benefactors.

However, anthropology is a broad field. And I met other people who showed me better ways to build a career and life around travel.

3 Ways to Support a Career and Life of Travel

After living abroad for more than 10 years, here are three ways that I have successfully found employment and supported myself overseas.

1. Pursue higher education.

Even though my parents and I had different expectations of my college education, it was an important step in my career path. And it led me to where I am now. Choosing to study abroad and pursue higher education opened doors that I never knew existed. And no matter how you look at it, I earned a master’s degree which has helped my job prospects.

But being in-country gave me the chance to network and get hands-on experience that would have been impossible back home. I also discovered that many several professional internships with multinational organizations can help you get your foot in the door. With the right training, credentials, and contacts, you can land a great job and build a very satisfying life as an ex-pat.

2. Look for online opportunities.

Although I left academia behind, I wasn’t ready to give up on my dreams. So, I used my skills and went online to look for new employment options. I soon learned that tons of online opportunities will allow you to work from anywhere. And, there are even more remote gigs post-Covid.

During my travels, I’ve worked as a freelance writer, copy editor, transcriptionist, translator, and tutor through several online platforms. However, there is also a huge demand for graphic and web designers and many other digital skill sets. If you have marketable skills that only require a computer and internet access, you can live comfortably as a digital nomad.

3. Find a position teaching ESL.

As ironic as it seems, my professional journey overseas ended right back where I started. For the majority of my years abroad, I settled into a teaching career. Native English speakers are in high demand as other countries want to become more competitive in the American and international markets. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree, many schools and companies are willing to compensate you well for your services.

I spent 8 years teaching ESL because it provided a great salary, benefits, travel allowances, and housing. And, I had nearly two months off every year to travel. By the end of it, I had earned enough to pay off all my debts, fund my travels, and save enough to start investing. It was one of the most financially and personally rewarding experiences I’ve had.

Those who are interested should look at one of the many online forums where you can browse offers to live and teach abroad. If the idea of being bound to one place doesn’t appeal to you though, you now have the option to teach online which will allow you even greater freedom of movement.

Final Thoughts

When the end finally comes, many people regret not traveling more or settling for a life they didn’t want. However, I don’t want to be counted among them. So, I have actively sought out a different path.

Although I did it while I was young and unattached, I have seen people at every stage of life successfully build a career and life of travel. Whether you are moving out for the first time, traveling with children, or retiring abroad, it is possible. However, if you want it, then you have to go out and make it happen.

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Considering Starting a Garden to Save Money? Here Are 5 Tips to Help!

Starting a home garden can help you save money and get closer to nature. Even a few basic homegrown herbs and vegetables can positively impact your budget and overall health. While there’s no way to go around certain upfront costs, there are steps you can take to maximize savings from your garden after the initial setup. Here are five tips to help you save money on your home garden.

1. Sow Seeds Instead of Seedlings

While seedlings save you time, seeds save you money. You just need to be organized and plan ahead because it takes time for seeds to germinate and grow to a point where you can transplant them. However, you can harvest more plants from a packet of seeds compared to a punnet of seedlings. Although seed packet prices vary, most edible flowers, sprouting seeds, microgreens, herbs, and vegetable varieties go for two to four dollars on average. For some varieties, you can get hundreds of seeds in a packet, enough to last a lifetime or to swap or sell.

2. Choose the Right Spot for Your Garden

Regardless of where you decide to put your garden or the plants you intend to grow, there are two fundamental requirements your chosen spot must fulfill for the best success: light and water. Vegetables, like other plants, rely on the sun to initiate photosynthesis. Vegetables that grow fast generally require at least six to eight hours each day in direct sunlight without obstruction from fences, shrubs, or trees. According to Arbor Day, areas under a tree’s shade can be 20 to 45 degrees cooler. That’s why planting sun-loving vegetables in shady areas won’t yield much.

If your garden receives partial shade, plant herbs, and vegetables that can withstand those conditions. These include thyme, parsley, cilantro, chives, spinach, chard, kale, and lettuce. If your chosen spot gets at least four hours of sunlight a day, consider root vegetables such as beets, radishes, and carrots. If you have a sunny patio, container gardening is a better fit. This approach allows you to place sun-loving herbs and vegetables like rosemary, dill, basil, beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes, where they’ll thrive.

3. Mulch Your Garden

Mulching your garden can work wonders for your budget. It conserves water and prevents weeds from sprouting, so there’s less weeding and no need for herbicides. To protect your established trees and shrubs from the effects of weather, surround them with a layer of two to three inches of brown compost, birch chips, wood shavings, or dried leaves.

4. Attend Plant Swaps

Plant swaps are events where plant enthusiasts come together to trade specimens. Attending these events allows one to swap a plant you don’t want for one you love for free. You can also find free plants by logging on to your town or neighborhood online forum for local gardeners.

5. Pick Plants with Multiple Functions

If you’re working with a small space, make cautious plant selections. Grow plants that serve at least two purposes, which means you’ll need fewer plants. For instance, blooming herbs such as chives, basil, and mint taste great. When they bloom, they attract helpful insects like hoverflies, ladybirds, and bees that feed on pollen and nectar. In turn, these insects provide crucial ecosystem services, such as pollinating food crops and managing pests such as aphids.

You don’t need lean beef to get your recommended daily amounts of 10 key vitamins and nutrients, including B vitamins, riboflavin, selenium, niacin, zinc, magnesium, and iron. You can get your nutrients from your garden! You should also consider planting oilseed rape, cotton, soybeans, and maize, which make up 99% of global crops worldwide. Get started on your vegetable garden today and it won’t be long until you start reaping the benefits.