#firstworldproblems
http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/11/21-women-on-the-dumbest-things-theyve-bought.html?mid=facebook_nymag
Quote21 NYC Women Confess the Dumbest Thing They Spend Their Money On
I live in New York and I waste a lot of money on dumb, unnecessary things. Recently, I decided to find out what other women in this city were wasting their money on — I wanted to know whether their habits were similar and if there were any patterns.
What did I learn? Well, for one thing, it turns out that Seamless is a near-universal problem. Read on for more stories of bad choices and the ways we rationalize them.
1. "I spend my money on $20 mac and cheese from a restaurant literally across the street from my apartment. Some days you just need what you need and that thing that you need is gourmet mac and cheese brought to your door from half a block away." —Nik, 23
2. "I have this really bad habit of thinking that because I am a 'professional woman,' I need all of this stuff to make me really BE that woman. Like, I will justify the constant purchase of expensive haircuts, manicures, leather laptop cases, blazers, and conservative heels with 'this is basically a business expense.' Except that I cannot write those expenses off, and now I have like ten more 'work purses' than I would ever need." —Sarah, 28
3. "Buying or ordering food that I have the ingredients to make at home. Like, I will buy a sandwich at lunch even though I could've brought one from home if I had just gotten up ten minutes earlier. I do that shit all the time." —Jessica, 27
4. "First, I got into waxing for a while and maintaining that shit really adds up. I also have a 'fancy lady' complex where if I have an especially rough day, I buy myself really expensive cocktails. There's a $16 drink at Fig. 19 with a rose petal floating on top that I buy every time I go through a breakup. I think it comes from some warped SATC-inspired view of adulthood (like I should be out drinking Cosmos with my girlfriends and saying things like 'I may be single, but I'm FABULOUS'). But really, I should probably save the $16." —Kara, 25
5. "Trendy clothes. Cab fare. Bar tabs. And ordering in rather than cooking. Also: drugs, besides pot, because pot encourages not going out. Pot is a good investment." —Erin, 31
6. "Beauty stuff. I have spent in the thousands this year alone on hair masks, nail treatments, facials, and teeth whitening. And I don't actually think I look that much better." —Simone, 29
7. "I work in an office in Midtown and every day I will go to Au Bon Pain, Le Pain Quotidien, Chop't, or Pret a Manger (now that I think of it, a lot of fake French places), and get a lunch that costs between 10 and 15 dollars. It never feels like a lot of money in the moment, but it's like, hundreds of dollars a month, and it doesn't taste much better than a sandwich or salad I could pack for myself. Just bringing my own coffee, using a refillable water bottle, and packing a Tupperware for lunch could save me thousands of dollars a year. Like, literally a round trip-to-Europe-level money." —Andrea, 31
8. "When I moved to New York, I had this really fucking dumb Carrie Bradshaw ideal of how I should dress and act. I thought that it was normal to spend a bunch of money on trendy shoes, or that New Yorkers were expected to eat out every other meal. Long story short, I got into 4,000 dollars of credit-card debt my first year here. I've been here for three years now, and I'm still shaking off the dumb impulses that show gave me. My brain can't accept that it will never own Manolos if I also want to own a home someday." —Chrissy, 26
9. "I meet up with people for after-work happy hours because I convince myself that it's a 'necessary part of networking in my industry.' (I work in PR in Manhattan, if you want to know.) Because the drinks and snacks are on special I convince myself that they aren't really expensive, so I order like two of each, and with tip end up paying at least 20 dollars every time. That's hundreds of dollars a month, and it's never done anything for my career." —Victoria, 24
10. "Mistakes, like breaking a phone screen, or just not following up on some stupid logistical loose thread that ends up costing me money in the long run." —Annie, 26
11. "I order Seamless either at work or at home multiple times a week. I always hate myself right after, but it feels so good when you're clicking that button. Seamless is the devil." —Jamie, 28
12. "I spend a lot of money at wine bars because they somehow feel classier than just going to a normal bar, so I pay 12 dollars per drink, and maybe also get a cheese plate. I also spend like 50 dollars a month on pot, which isn't that much, but I don't even like pot that much. I just have a few glasses of wine and I'm like, 'I want a joint right now,' smoke half of it, and fall asleep. Don't put that in, actually. Well, whatever, put it in. I own it." —Amy, 29
13. "Fucking brunch. Fucking brunch is the reason I will never own property." —Allie, 23
14. "Seamless, especially the same Szechuan restaurant I order from literally every week. Remember that scene where Miranda thinks the woman at the takeout place is making fun of her for always ordering the same thing? That scene is me, and it is bleak." —Hannah, 25
15. "I spend money on makeup, blowouts, and nail art, in huge part for the Instagram likes. It is probably the saddest thing about myself." —Naomi, 27
16. "When I was looking for a job here, I thought that every other girl in my industry was extremely chic and put together, so I needed to be the same way. I would buy an entirely new outfit for every interview, telling myself that it was an 'investment in my future.' I make about 29K right now (at least it's a job in my industry), I live in a closet in Bed-Stuy, and my checking account will take years to recover from those dumb fucking interview outfits." —Sam, 26
17. "I realized I spent 260 dollars on Seamless last month. And my actual, real-live first thought was, 'That's better than I thought it would be.'" —Carly, 25
18. "Designer coffee. There is this really Brooklyn-y coffee shop across from my office, and going there every day feels like being inside a Pinterest board. I probably spend 12 dollars a day on coffee alone, partially because that dumb coffee shop is so fucking cute." —Liz, 32
19. "Saying yes to doing shit with my rich friends who are still being helped out by their parents. I say yes, then I always end up regretting it. I really need to get rid of those people." —Lindsay, 29
20. "Umm, the dumbest thing in my life is my apartment. Since I got on my lease I got a different job where I make less money (it's a really awesome job, my other one was terrible), but I still pay the same. I pay like half of my salary in my rent, but I'm too lazy to move." —Andrea, 26
21. "I celebrated my job by buying a pair of Louboutins, and then got laid off six months later. Ha! Ha! Ha!" —Melanie, 27
Only ones that strike me as stupid are the credit card debt and that very sad instagram related one.
Do all young women who move to New York do it because they liked Sex and the City? :hmm:
Quote"I meet up with people for after-work happy hours because I convince myself that it's a 'necessary part of networking in my industry.' (I work in PR in Manhattan, if you want to know.) Because the drinks and snacks are on special I convince myself that they aren't really expensive, so I order like two of each, and with tip end up paying at least 20 dollars every time. That's hundreds of dollars a month, and it's never done anything for my career." —Victoria, 24
It's the free blowjobs that do that for your career, dear. You're doing it all wrong.
:P
Sex and the City is evil. What's Seamless?
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on November 25, 2014, 01:21:19 AM
:P
Sex and the City is evil. What's Seamless?
http://www.seamless.com/
We have similar portals here.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on November 25, 2014, 01:10:06 AM
Do all young women who move to New York do it because they liked Sex and the City? :hmm:
Back in the late 90s when I was living in Boston, I worked with a woman who quit her job and moved to New York because, in her words, "I just
have to live there." :wacko:
There must be a male equivalent of these bad personal finance traits?
Probably, what gadgets, cars, beer?
I spend a lot of money on Seamless too. :Embarrass:
Quote from: DGuller on November 25, 2014, 09:00:11 AM
I spend a lot of money on Seamless too. :Embarrass:
What the hell is Seamless, I thought they were talking about some brand of close fitting dress?
Quote from: DGuller on November 25, 2014, 09:00:11 AM
I spend a lot of money on Seamless too. :Embarrass:
What sensible person, doesn't? :hug:
Besides, there should be no shame in paying to have other people prepare your food. After all your own time is money too - though as some of these women indicate, you need to make sure that your time is actually worth enough that you can balance out outsourcing your food preparation. :D
After a couple of months of ordering on Seamless, I actually wanted to look up whether they're publicly traded. Clearly they have a winning business model, apart from the highly insecure way they store credit card information of their customers (what could go wrong with that in 2014?) Alas, they're still owned by venture capitalists. :(
I think if I read this I'd set something on fire. So I'm going to go get ready for work instead, and change into the apparently two pairs of acceptable pants I still own. <_<
I wonder what it is about seamless that made it so successful (I guess they were just able to get critical mass of merchants to join up?). For a while there were a few other competing services (including grubhub) but I don't seem to hear much about them anymore.
Quote from: Ideologue on November 25, 2014, 09:35:25 AM
I think if I read this I'd set something on fire. So I'm going to go get ready for work instead, and change into the apparently two pairs of acceptable pants I still own. <_<
These people are you before you realise where your money was going.
It's all insane creditcard debt & drug related expanses.
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 25, 2014, 09:44:42 AM
It's all insane creditcard debt & drug related expanses.
Did you read the same article that I did? :unsure:
Quote from: garbon on November 25, 2014, 09:35:43 AM
I wonder what it is about seamless that made it so successful (I guess they were just able to get critical mass of merchants to join up?). For a while there were a few other competing services (including grubhub) but I don't seem to hear much about them anymore.
Fairly user-friendly interface, widespread advertising, and of course a good selection of restaurants. You're right, the trick is to get a critical mass of restaurants and patrons, the network effect is very strong with such models.
Quote from: garbon on November 25, 2014, 09:35:43 AM
I wonder what it is about seamless that made it so successful (I guess they were just able to get critical mass of merchants to join up?). For a while there were a few other competing services (including grubhub) but I don't seem to hear much about them anymore.
It's also a product that sounds more palatable (get it?) and marketable than something called "grubhub".
It's all well and good that douchebag techies can name shit that works well with the inside crowd, but stoner-speak doesn't always translate to the larger consumer market.
Quote from: garbon on November 25, 2014, 01:06:04 AM
Only ones that strike me as stupid are the credit card debt and that very sad instagram related one.
The different outfit for every interview is pretty stupid.
QuoteIt's also a product that sounds more palatable (get it?) and marketable than something called "grubhub".
Yeah that is a dreadful name. We have JustEast and HungryHouse. They're both shit. Investigating Seamless now.
QuoteBack in the late 90s when I was living in Boston, I worked with a woman who quit her job and moved to New York because, in her words, "I just have to live there." :wacko:
New York's one of the cities I'd want to live in for a while, I can understand that.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 25, 2014, 10:34:14 AM
Quote from: garbon on November 25, 2014, 09:35:43 AM
I wonder what it is about seamless that made it so successful (I guess they were just able to get critical mass of merchants to join up?). For a while there were a few other competing services (including grubhub) but I don't seem to hear much about them anymore.
It's also a product that sounds more palatable (get it?) and marketable than something called "grubhub".
It's all well and good that douchebag techies can name shit that works well with the inside crowd, but stoner-speak doesn't always translate to the larger consumer market.
Yeah that's true. I think seamless also became more palatable for myself when it stopped being "seamlessweb"
Quote from: Sheilbh on November 25, 2014, 10:48:24 AM
Quote from: garbon on November 25, 2014, 01:06:04 AM
Only ones that strike me as stupid are the credit card debt and that very sad instagram related one.
The different outfit for every interview is pretty stupid.
Fair enough. I sort of lumped that in my mind with the credit card one as she mentioned about her checking account will take forever to recover. If she could actually afford it, could have been a great way to build up a stylish wardrobe.
You can't take it with you.
Going insane and living paycheck to pay check is dumb but counting every penny and not experiencing life is equally dumb
Quote from: Tyr on November 27, 2014, 06:20:25 PM
You can't take it with you.
Going insane and living paycheck to pay check is dumb but counting every penny and not experiencing life is equally dumb
Moderation in all things ?
While a Steam sale is going on I have no room to criticize anyone elses stupid spending.
Quote from: garbon on November 25, 2014, 09:54:45 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 25, 2014, 09:44:42 AM
It's all insane creditcard debt & drug related expanses.
Did you read the same article that I did? :unsure:
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 08:05:05 AM
Quote from: garbon on November 25, 2014, 09:54:45 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 25, 2014, 09:44:42 AM
It's all insane creditcard debt & drug related expanses.
Did you read the same article that I did? :unsure:
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
Most of the list had nothing to do with either. I guess someone could go into debt using seamless but most simply seemed to be lamenting they spent more money than they would if not lazy.
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 08:05:05 AM
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
I know it's been a while, but do you remember exactly when your turned into a cranky middle-aged grump?
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 01:10:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 08:05:05 AM
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
I know it's been a while, but do you remember exactly when your turned into a cranky middle-aged grump?
:lol:
February 2007
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:16:04 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 01:10:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 08:05:05 AM
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
I know it's been a while, but do you remember exactly when your turned into a cranky middle-aged grump?
:lol:
February 2007
:hug:
First mortgage or first child?
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 02:27:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:16:04 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 01:10:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 08:05:05 AM
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
I know it's been a while, but do you remember exactly when your turned into a cranky middle-aged grump?
:lol:
February 2007
:hug:
First mortgage or first child?
Neither actually, it's when I had the "I am tired of drinking & doing drugs everyday" epiphany.
I paid off my mortgage a year ago - does that mean I can stop being a cranky middle-aged grump now? :D
Quote from: Malthus on November 28, 2014, 02:31:03 PM
I paid off my mortgage a year ago - does that mean I can stop being a cranky middle-aged grump now? :D
No, it just means you've got one more thing to be smug about when you complain about other peoples' failures.
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:30:34 PMNeither actually, it's when I had the "I am tired of drinking & doing drugs everyday" epiphany.
Good for you. Well, except for the grumpy part :)
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 02:36:19 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:30:34 PMNeither actually, it's when I had the "I am tired of drinking & doing drugs everyday" epiphany.
Good for you. Well, except for the grumpy part :)
I had to look up grumpy.
I am not grumpy, I am simply telling you that I am right. I'm a parent.
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:30:34 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 02:27:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:16:04 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 01:10:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 08:05:05 AM
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
I know it's been a while, but do you remember exactly when your turned into a cranky middle-aged grump?
:lol:
February 2007
:hug:
First mortgage or first child?
Neither actually, it's when I had the "I am tired of drinking & doing drugs everyday" epiphany.
We're not so different, you and I.
Quote from: Ideologue on November 29, 2014, 01:28:53 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:30:34 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 02:27:54 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 02:16:04 PM
Quote from: Jacob on November 28, 2014, 01:10:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 28, 2014, 08:05:05 AM
Yes. Stupid CC debt spending & drugs.
I know it's been a while, but do you remember exactly when your turned into a cranky middle-aged grump?
:lol:
February 2007
:hug:
First mortgage or first child?
Neither actually, it's when I had the "I am tired of drinking & doing drugs everyday" epiphany.
We're not so different, you and I.
We're the same.
Only our debts differ.
My debt's been covered by the U.S. taxpayer. Thanks, folks!
:thumbsup: That's what it's there for!
Quote from: Ideologue on November 30, 2014, 11:20:32 PM
My debt's been covered by the U.S. taxpayer. Thanks, folks!
You're welcome. :)
None of these seem especially dumb or extreme. A newspaper article this weekend featured women who spend £5,000 getting ready for Christmas parties which seems far more of a waste.
$10 is about £6 and you certainly wouldn't get much change from that on any lunch in London (I try to bring a packed lunch most days, and the best offer is Tescos which does a sandwich or salad, snack and a drink for £3).
Spending half your salary on rent? Par for the course in most major cities these days I would have thought.
I heard that New Yorkers keep knitwear in their ovens because they never cook at home - even breakfast or coffee - and they're short of storage space.
Clothes and shoes will at least still be there to wear when you start budgeting. Cocktails, make-up and beauty services - manicures, facials etc. - not so.
I assumed Seamless made sportswear of comfortable underwear, go figure.
Total non-issue. What about the people (this is hardly a female- or New York-only problem who go bankrupt spending hundreds of thousands on fancy cars and holidays?
My "thing" is trainers/sneakers - proper running ones and just fancy ones. I have far more than I'll ever wear out.
I can see Brazen's studio apartment flat in Manhattan, musketry in all four corners. If the powder horn hanging on the doorknob's a'rockin', don't come a'knockin'!
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 01, 2014, 09:15:52 AM
I can see Brazen's studio apartment flat in Manhattan, musketry in all four corners. If the powder horn hanging on the doorknob's a'rockin', don't come a'knockin'!
And powder stored in the oven.
:D
Oh yeah, that reminds me, re-enactment costs me a bloody fortune in costumes/camping equipment/membership/real ale quaffing etc.
Quote from: DGuller on December 01, 2014, 09:16:46 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 01, 2014, 09:15:52 AM
I can see Brazen's studio apartment flat in Manhattan, musketry in all four corners. If the powder horn hanging on the doorknob's a'rockin', don't come a'knockin'!
And powder stored in the oven.
One should always keep one's powder dry.
Quote from: Brazen on December 01, 2014, 09:18:58 AM
:D
Oh yeah, that reminds me, re-enactment costs me a bloody fortune in costumes/camping equipment/membership/real ale quaffing etc.
You could, re-enact poverty? :broughttoyoubycameronsbritain:
Quote from: Ideologue on November 30, 2014, 11:20:32 PM
My debt's been covered by the U.S. taxpayer. Thanks, folks!
They caused, they can very well pay for it.
We did? :huh:
Yes. LOL STUDENT LOANS FOR ALL! LOL BK? NO WAI!
Quote from: Ideologue on December 01, 2014, 04:57:24 PM
Yes. LOL STUDENT LOANS FOR ALL! LOL BK? NO WAI!
I don't remember saying any of those things. :hmm:
Quote from: garbon on December 01, 2014, 04:59:01 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on December 01, 2014, 04:57:24 PM
Yes. LOL STUDENT LOANS FOR ALL! LOL BK? NO WAI!
I don't remember saying any of those things. :hmm:
I did, so we cancelled each other out.
Gridlock!
Grimlock!
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg4.wikia.nocookie.net%2F__cb20080320165158%2Ftransformers%2Fimages%2Fc%2Fcb%2FG1_cartoon_Grimlock_fire_breath.JPG&hash=1d66a0f25f41b44908b73fc68d7e6f6ff28df9b6)
Bow weep grana weep nini bon. :)
You beau coup dinky dau. Ide numbah 10.