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What everyday purchase do you consider most overpriced?

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AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/04/2021
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Andrew Forsythe
4 months ago

Restaurants. Maybe because I’m 72 and the “old days” are etched in my brain, but I can’t get used to a hamburger and fries costing $10 to $15—and that’s before you add in a drink, tax, and tip. I’m liking home cooking more and more….

Matt Morse
4 months ago

100%

JAY SCATTERGOOD
4 months ago

nothing because it is the cost of living……..if you are smart and live within your means enjoy it till the end

Kathy C
7 months ago

Going out to eat!!!!! and GAS in CA

William Dorner
7 months ago

Ethical Drugs, and most insurance. In 99+% plus situations, you do not need the EXTRA Warranty, and if you never buy it, you will come out ahead in your lifetime. Happily I made that decision in my early 20’s.

Bob Wilmes
2 years ago

My pet peeve is Cable TV and Internet service. Every year my cable provider keeps inflating the bundle of TV shows that my wife and mother-in-law watch. I routinely find that I have to take my itemized bill to the cable provider’s office and force them to do a line by line audit with me which routinely drops my bill by 5 or 10 percent. I am waiting for the cellphone carriers to provide 5G home networks so I can get off the cable TV provider merry go round.

Edwin Belen
2 years ago

Everyday purchase that is overpriced – generally a meal more than $20 a person. It’s nice to eat at a quality and fancy place on occasion but for most days, not necessary.

J Naman
2 years ago

Distilled Water. Price was $1.00/gallon last year, $1.60/gal this year. Think about what the cost drivers are …

Jerry Pinkard
2 years ago

Cable TV

Jerry Pinkard
2 years ago

Expensive cars. Well, pretty much all cars are expensive nowadays. But buying luxurious European cars that cost double what a Camry or Accord cost.

Jeff
3 years ago

Gasoline in California. What a ripoff.

Wayne Koppa
3 years ago

Financial services to the less informed.

Bob Drake
3 years ago

Bottled water

Buz Livingston
1 year ago

I use a water bottle daily but if it runs out bottled water is better than a soft drink.

Sometimes at a bar, I’ll get a bottled water instead of a beer.

corrupt
2 years ago

I don’t consider it unnecessary here as they’re implementing toilet to tap. Sooner or later, someone is going to f up, and I don’t want to drink the results.

Casey Shumaker
3 years ago

Watching television. Remember when cord cutting saved you big bucks? Seems the networks figured it out and are locking down their broadcasts on streaming apps. Sure $5 a month won’t break anyone but tack this onto your internet service and streaming service. Not to mention, how mny of the different apps your need or want.

Roboticus Aquarius
3 years ago

I’d have to say education. It’s incredibly valuable, but the cost structure of colleges and universities is complex, and doesn’t always serve the students well.

If you’d asked what do people spend too much on – Cars. Cars are just a depreciating asset. Housing comes in second place. A big mortgage makes saving difficult. Also, it’s expensive to sell a house, so renting is often a better option if you move a lot.

Worth is a very personal thing though. A car enthusiast may find that their expensive purchase makes them very happy, while I would simply begrudge the monthly payment. The amount I spend on sporting equipment and leagues might fluster the car guy, though. It’s important to know what makes you happy; it helps you decide where that extra dollar should go.

Last edited 3 years ago by Roboticus Aquarius
Mike Zaccardi
3 years ago

Perhaps driving an expensive car 10+ miles to a mundane task that could be done online these days. Just yesterday I had a couple drive 100 miles round trip in their big truck to buy a used desk from my place. I was perplexed – just buy one online and have it delivered.

Also, some meal choices at restaurants. I get that going out is to be enjoyed, but often a $15 entre does me just fine. I don’t desire to go for the $50 6oz rack of lamb. Of course, that’s just my frugal nature coming out.

I’m curious to read others’ thoughts on this because the most overpriced things are the big purchases in life – housing, cars, education, healthcare, child care, debt servicing, boats, vacations. All of those things are great, but if you can optimize them a bit, then you can buy all the $5 lattes you want.

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