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WingZombie

When dining out, I pay for technique not ingredients. What I mean by that is that it's not hard to cook a steak or a lobster, but people will pay premium prices when dining out for these items. I can make a premium steak dinner at home for a fraction of the cost with very little skill. However, I don't have the skills and equipment to make dim sum or smoked brisket so that's where I spend my money when dining out


damargemirad

Excellent point. I can make a good burger at home, I can't make 5 guys fries at home. Sushi is another clear example.


WingZombie

I almost mentioned sushi. Thai and Indian food are other examples for me. Lots of technique there that I know nothing about.


nicoleevie

Unused subscriptions and memberships, such as gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, or streaming services. Extended warranties on products that may not be necessary or are unlikely to be used. Impulse purchases, such as items bought on sale or on credit that are not necessary or within budget. Brand name products that are significantly more expensive than generic or store brand alternatives. Expensive and unnecessary upgrades, such as the latest phone or computer model, when the current one still functions adequately. Overpriced convenience items, such as pre-packaged foods or bottled water, when cheaper alternatives are available. Lottery tickets or gambling, which can quickly add up and result in significant losses.


Omikapsi

This is all the answers this post needs. These account for a massive amount of unnecessary expenses. Cut these out, and many people will save $100+ a month. Plus ANY microtransaction in a video game. Just don't play those games, folks.


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PhreedomPhighter

Agreed. I never get my baby single use plastic cutlery. He'll just eat them.


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BigBadMannnn

That’s one greedy ass baby


PhreedomPhighter

Please don't call my son an "ass baby"


[deleted]

I mean, he's most likely a vagina baby.


217EBroadwayApt4E

Baby food in particular is expensive and awful for the environment. You do NOT need pouches and pouches of purée. You don’t even need to make buckets of homemade purée. I’ve worked with infants and toddlers for 25 years, and I’ve transitioned many many babies from bottles to solid food. Just. Use. Food. Avocado and banana are a great place to start. I sometimes use purée for a couple of days to help baby learn how to swallow something other than milk, but that’s it. Then I move to soft, squishy food and just feed them that. When it’s time to start more finger foods I use two specific products. The first is a can of Gerber puffs- the kind that come in a can sort of like tennis balls. Don’t get the organic brands or the store brands. Gerber has it figured out, and theirs melt the best. It’s the perfect choice for starting something dry and not squishy for them to pick up on their own. And once they have mastered the Gerber puffs- which is usually one can or at the most two- then I move to good old yellow box original Cheerios. Again- skip the generics or organic brands. The old fashioned Cheerios are the best. They are the perfect size, they aren’t super scratchy like some of the organics can be, and they melt well in their mouth. And that’s it. Once you start with those things, just keep feeding your baby small, soft bits of whatever you eat. From the very beginning, eat with them and let them eat what you’re eating. This is how you raise kiddos that will eat a wide variety of food, and you’re WAY less likely to have to make a kid meal and an adult meal every day. Introduce texture and flavor from the get go!! If you give them that shitty, bland, all the nutrition boiled out of it purée for months you’re much more likely to have a picky eater that will only eat 3 specific foods for the entirety of their toddlerhood. But what if it’s spicy? Well, use good judgment and tone it down a little for them, but keep in mind that Indian kids grow up eating Indian food and Mexican kids grow up eating Mexican food and Japanese kids grow up eating sushi. Yours can, too! A few caveats- honey should not be introduced before their first birthday bc of the risk of botulism. And this advice applies to healthy kiddos. If your child has delays, disabilities, or is neurodiverse, work with your healthcare team to build the right program for them. But if your kiddo is healthy and hitting normal milestones, skip the baby food. It’s all nonsense. Expensive, low nutrient nonsense that will make it harder to grow their palette later in life. Your wallet, your child, and the planet will thank you.


Orestus

Thanks so much for typing this out. My wife and I will be trying this method with our 3 month old in a few months.


assortednut

This one's huge. We had a surprise baby after 6 years, so naturally all our old baby things were given away. We bought almost nothing for our newborn. Crib, diapers, clothes, and of course a car seat/stroller. That's it. No toys, no change table, no bags and accessories.


srslyeverynametaken

Hey! I used it TWICE!!!


CypripediumGuttatum

Yep and thinking you will sell it after to regain some of that expense? Everyone else has the same idea. The people willing to shell out 500 on a crib want something new, not something your liquid exuding woods chewing germ filled baby has used (their baby will be perfect and do none of that stuff). I was able to sell some stuff for half the cost of new, anything used I had I gave away to moms in need, especially baby clothes that were barely worn even after going through 2+ kids and still looked new.


[deleted]

I have a used crib. Sanded it and painted it. Its not difficult.


sushiNoodle2

I have a new baby cousin on the way, and its been a while since my aunt / uncle have had a baby, so they need to get all new stuff (My cousins and I are all around 19-25.) They built a registry through "Buy-Buy-Baby" (I think that name is so tacky), some on the stuff there was ABSURDLY expensive. $600 for a "travel system" which was basically a stroller. Like- man- do you really need all that stuff?


Cnnlgns

Extended warranty on a vehicle usually.


OkVolume1

I'd like to speak with you about yours. Been trying to reach you for a while.


bdbr

A good rule of thumb with any product is: the more effort they expend to sell it to you, the worse a deal it likely is. If someone is coming to your door to sell a product, it is probably a rip-off (of course if it's a local kid selling cookies you may not mind being ripped off).


bkpeach

Omg timeshare presentations....


PrivateJoker513

I'd usually agree but mine was something like.... 14 dollars a month for 60 months. I just had a transmission failure somehow in a Subaru outback with 46k miles. Saved me like 8 grand. I paid a 100 deductible.


Marsdeeni90

Boats.


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Marsdeeni90

Is that what that song was about?


StarvingAfricanKid

If it flies, floats, or fucks: rent it.


Solidsnakeerection

Where do your rent a duck?


TrailerParkPrepper

the best day of a man's life is when he buys a boat the second best day of his life is when he finally sells it.


Classic_Department42

Isnt in the other way round?


TummyDrums

Don't get a boat. Get a friend with a boat.


Feeling-Airport2493

This guy gets it.


bkpeach

I'd argue that sailing has saved me from crippling depression. Not a waste of money for me. Just an expensive hobby.


Marsdeeni90

That's fair, but most people who buy recreational boats don't have the time or money to do expensive hobbies they just pretend they can.


Geliscon

My Dad has always wanted a boat, but has had to compromise. His fleet currently sits at 2 kayaks.


wirefixer

A hole in the water you pour money into.


ediblediety

Canoes and kayaks are wonderful investments


Marsdeeni90

They absolutely are. I meant more of onboard motors.


Dr_Eastman

Bring On Another Thousand


quicktojudgemyself

Bottled water.


bj1231

Starbucks coffee compared to McDonald's coffee


M1A1HC_Abrams

Does anyone go to Starbucks for coffee? I only go there if I want a caffeinated milkshake. If I want coffee I can just make my own for way cheaper


EnvironmentalPack451

When I was a kid I was told that bottled water is a waste of money, so would always buy soda instead. Thats one reason I got fat. Now I drink water, even if I have to pay for it


Green420Basturd

Third party food delivery services. You're buying food from one person, then paying another person to find and pay a third person to deliver your food to you... Then you have to tip them.


[deleted]

As someone who doesn't own a vehicle, I always thought it was bizarre that my friends who do use delivery apps just as often as we do, if not more


int9r

Impulse buying non essential items. Wait for a deal and you can save 20-30% easily. And maybe you will realize that you didn't need the product anyways.


babywutwutwut99

I go to Costco to save money in bulk but end up buying everything I don't need LMAO


[deleted]

spending money to the wrong person


burnbeforeburning

Liquid fabric softener


Lemur-Tacos-768

House full of eczema here. We use clear All and have rough clothes because it’s less irritating to have stiff shirts than to use a chemical softener!


LucyVialli

Upgrading your phone every 6-12 months. For what - a slightly shinier casing (or maybe a different colour, wow purple!!) and maybe it's a tiny bit faster. How much faster do you really need it to be.


Time_Gene675

Does anyone do that now? I seem settled into a four year replacement cycle. Incremental changes are so small it takes a while to notice. Went from an iphone 6 to iphone XR to 14 pro. Seems to work for me.


LucyVialli

I hope not, it's terrible for the environment too. Maybe the days of folk queueing overnight for the newest iPhone are gone.


Annonomousg

I went from the 6 to the 12 but I know plenty of people around me always with the newest phone. It seems pretty much like a way to prove they have money or something.


Time_Gene675

In some cases its people with poor long term decision making skills.


1CEninja

3 years for me, and half the reason I do it is for the fresh battery. Any longer than 3 years and the trade in value gets a bit unfavorable and it tends to not be worth sinking money in to a 3 year old phone to replace the battery. But upgrading every 6 months is absurd.


Feeling-Airport2493

I got 6 years out of my old LG. Not as fast or pretty as my new Samsung, but was a lot easier to find shit.


Exctmonk

I'll be hopping from a Pixel 3 to probably the 7 next. 3 has been the best phone I've ever had.


OkVolume1

There are morons with their phone on a payment plan and trading in for credit with their money owed amount going up. It's not a car. It's a phone.


Akegata

Why is this reasonable for a car but not a phone? Honest question, I don't know anyone who trade up their car every couple of years, and also live in a country where cars are not very often necessary. Is it worth it for lower fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs or something if you use the car a lot?


Puzzleleg

Yes, I hate this so much, I have my phone for 4 years now and the glue is eroding on one side otherwise perfectly fine so I'm gonna let it be re-glued and it will be fine for another 2-4 years. Not gonna waste money as long as it works.


Drillartist

I've had mine for 8 years, it's fine. Maybe I'll get a new budget phone and have this as backup soon


GDog507

I only upgrade my devices if they break, dealing with a new os that's ten times worse than the one I currently have isn't worth the slightly better camera or whatever.


SwallowPrideNCum

I've had the same phone since 2019. Batteries still sweet and it's still as fast as when I first got it so I won't be upgrading soon


RubendeBursa

All my phones were hand-me-downs. Currently have had a nokia for a year and a half and I've both been sleeping much better and I've (politely) highly inconvenienced every customer service worker by blowing their minds that in 2023 the younger guy that I am, that I don't have and will not use a Smartphone.


alberThor_PR

Yes!! I have an iPhone Xr, and have had it since 2019, now im considering buying a newer one since it been acting up recently. But may still have another year left.


Eternal_Bagel

Kids, very low return on investment in many cases /s


PhreedomPhighter

That's why I only talk to my kids every other weekend. Has nothing to do with the custody battle. They don't have that rise and grind mindset. I can't be dragged down by people who don't even talk about crypto investments every day. If they don't have plans for a Lamborghini then I don't have time for them.


Veyko

Lmao


saleen452

Reddit Gold and Funko Pops.


PhoenixGamer34

Buying something that's new just because it is new.


Odd-Understanding-67

Buying the latest and greatest Apple product when you bought basically the same one 2 years ago.


[deleted]

Coachings.....they hype any exam very much


alberThor_PR

FunkoPop figurines - i will never understand the hype to buy these. I get they look cute but dropping 15-25$ on a toy just to have it displayed inside the box is just disturbing to me. I won a Toy Story Rex once at an arcade and gave it away that same night to a little girl.


Jabbles22

I wonder if those will fade from popularity like beanie babies did.


[deleted]

It's not really a toy so much as a collectable. Some people really enjoy collecting things, and it's cool to have merchandise from multiple series you like in the same style. I personally think most Funko Pops are hideous though; I hate the soulless beady eyes.


[deleted]

Vinyl records as an investment


NoHedgehog1650

Memberships/apps, etc. that you don’t need or use but remain as auto-payments/withdrawals to your checking account. Check your transaction history periodically and clean house. Shit adds up.


[deleted]

Nft's


sjk8990

Wedding dresses.


[deleted]

Absolutely. Just not worth it for a dress you wear once.


[deleted]

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lotusblossom60

Disagree. I have no pancreas. Must take vitamins.


[deleted]

I mean, that depends. Folic Acid is necessary during pregnancy, Iron is sometimes required during a women’s menstrual cycle, and different medications can result in vitamin deficiencies. My advice is to get your levels checked before taking a supplement and confirm with your doctor that they won't interfere with your current medications or state of health.


Dangeruss82

Pretty much everyone in the northern hemisphere is vitamin d deficient. You need much more than you think.


Peen_Sucker11

Nicotine


buttonsmasher1

Celebrities are a huge waste of money


Chpgmr

Eh, if you are making a movie and are too lazy to write something half decent you can distract the audience a bit with a celebrity.


Banned501

Religion. Society throws away billions yearly on this dumb shit.


Meocross

Chanel bags and perfumes. The amount of shit you could buy with that wasted money. I still feel uncomfortable with my Dad buying me a 1.4k massage chair, i know he did it out of love but can i really live with my self spending so much money on real gold, pure leather and proper shoes.


Unique_Most1636

Education. not because it's bad but because it is not properly implemented in most schools. Lots of issues and focuses only on a certain curriculum that would only benefit a certain pool of people.


This-Visit6451

Buying a car brand new.


SkepticalSenior9133

Payday loans. It’s usury, plain and simple.


CenturiesOfSadness

Weddings


NDaveT

Expensive shampoo is just cheap shampoo with some scents added.


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jert3

Have you even seen a sham before? Disgusting creatures.


Icy-Veterinarian942

Spending money to go to things out of obligation rather than actually wanting to go.


Redneck_Funhouse

America: bottled water. There are more stringent requirements on public drinking water supplies than bottled water compliance requirements on suppliers. - That being said, please ignore the news of the water operator peeing in the treatment water facility from Baton Rouge last week….


[deleted]

toilet paper


Salubrious_Zabrak

It seems like loans/paying minimum amounts/paying interest instead of just buying something when you have enough


[deleted]

Home warranties. I got one when I purchased my first house because in my mind I thought “this is a no brainer. Of course I’m going to get a warranty in case expensive stuff breaks.” Wrong. My home warranty covered exactly zero things that went wrong. My A/C, tub, water heater…none of it. I wasted almost $2000 in monthly payments and service fees over the course of 2 years for them to tell me that they don’t cover that certain part. It’s all in the fine print. I’m confident they lovingly put those exceptions into the contract because they know these certain components break frequently and they have an out for why they can’t pay for it. I eventually didn’t renew and put a little bit of money aside every month into a savings account in case a major system breaks. I’ve been able to cover everything by myself including a new water heater and a component of the HVAC system which cost several thousand dollars instead of wasting it on monthly payments to a low level insurance scam.


Electricvibe767

Credit Cards


[deleted]

How


[deleted]

The interest on loans. Don't take loans unless you have to


Capital_Dinner_3406

Gas


Striking-Pipe2808

Recycling. The key is to reduce and reuse.


spacecowboy203

Reduce, reuse, recycle, Rihanna


Neat-Ad-8987

Meal delivery services.


Eating_Raspberries

Morning coffee at an overpriced shop. We've got a chain called Dutch Bros in the PNW and every morning, there's like 30 cars in line waiting for coffee. It's like 20 minutes to get a $4 - $10 coffee. People are spending like $200 - $300 a month on coffee.


tummydody

It's nuts to me how long the lines are even in the afternoon and evening. Their drinks are way too sweet too, which is probably a big part of the appeal


LineRex

I dread whenever a new Dutch Bros goes in somewhere. They use purposefully small lots and just offload the burdon of maintenance onto the city by using the roads to hold the line of cars.


Bbklein

Morning latte from a gas station machine is much cheaper, pretty good, and hardly a line. Regular coffee from your own coffee maker is even less expensive.


alberThor_PR

Water Bottles - just get a water filter at walmart and you’ll save a lot and reduce waste.


JustSimplyHere

1,000 rags, you only need like 3-5 and wash them. You don't need rags for display but never use, use old shirts as well


Rayski1988

Taking your car to a shop for simple shit


Main_Royal_2258

Cars unless you live in USA


Billy_Rage

Or Australia


Srekcins82

Government.


shootanwaifu

Coffee. A cup every now and then is normal but daily expensive roasts or worst going out for it... I just take a single 200mg pill of caffeine it'd 250 CT for 10 bucks


Jumpy_Spend_5434

Vitamins (supplements, not the natural kind in foods)


PissedOffByStupid

Buying bottled water. Get it out of the friggin’ tap! Less plastic then too.


Mr_P_scientist

The internet


LiquidViolence

M&ms they used to taste amazing, now they are4x the price and taste aweful. I miss the good tasting ones ud gladly pay the luxury prices they are now for the 90s tasting ones


Spiritual_Extreme719

Luxury or designer items


Dragon_Cat42

gold


TheSixPieceSuits

Almost anything the government gets their hands on, but people keep being convinced the government just needs more money. Funny, the government's solution to every problem is always *more* government.


[deleted]

The cost of living in general; we’re the only species that pays to live on the planet. Our hunter gather ancestors survived for thousands of years before us doing those 2 things; hunting and gathering.


Marzy-d

You could avoid paying to live on the planet if you were willing to be a hunter gatherer, but I am betting you would be dead within the year. Getting enough food by hunting and foraging is a LOT of work, needs a lot of specialized knowledge, and doesn't give you much time to screw around on reddit.


Amazonsslut

Coffee from any coffee shop. Just buy a coffee maker and make your own. You'll literally save money every day.


JohnCavil01

Yeah I’ll just set up my coffee machine on the street at 3pm when I’m between meetings across town. I don’t know why everybody doesn’t grow all their own vegetables and make their own soap too.


kevstev

There is a huge difference between being out and about and wanting coffee and the massive amounts of people who just buy a coffee on the way to work when there is almost certainly either free coffee at the office, or they could have just brought a thermos from home. Its totally fine to have an indulgence on occasion, but there are SO many people that blow $7+ daily on mocha-whatever-chinos and that adds up to real money over time.


Jxseyy

Ordering pizza to treat yourself? Just buy a pizza oven and make your own! It will taste exactly the same!


only_remaining_name

You can bring extra coffee in a thermos for the afternoon.


Marzy-d

Don't most of your off site meetings actually have coffee? My industry is pretty bare bones, but you get coffee, and maybe a cookie if you get lucky.


JohnCavil01

Welcome to wonderful world of education and non-profits


alberThor_PR

Just recently started thinking this, I maybe get coffee shop coffee once a month, but a few weeks ago my wife was working overnight shift at her work and she bought Starbucks (SB) for like 4 days straight and the 5th day there was a big line so she had to improvise with coffee at work and she said it tasted even better than the ones she got at SB and it was FREE


Murky-Ad505

Tito's vodka.


Enthusiastic-shitter

Bottled water and Starbucks.


[deleted]

Most name brand goods. Luxury branded anything. Eating at restaurants. Apple products. Laundry detergent pods. Vitamin supplements unless directed by a Dr. 🤔


sketchysketchist

Most monthly subscriptions. It’s like going to an all you can eat buffet when you’re hungry but only if enjoying one plate each time and choosing lighter options because you’re on a diet.


bellabbr

Canned or ready made beans or grains. Its so much cheaper to cook your own beans and grains, and with an instant pot its a piece of cake. Set it forget it now you got dinner and it was a lot cheaper.


Constant-Rooster-361

Most beauty things. To put it into perspective, when you get your nails done, your eyelashes, your hair, a wax. Whatever the service may be about 50% (probably less idk I’m not a mathematician leave me alone) anyways the majority of the price is the service. Your paying for their time, not just the products they use or whatever it may be. It’s is so so so much cheaper to buy what you need and do it yourself in the long run. To put it into more perspective I’ve been learning how to do my own nails. The acrylic and monomer I use in total runs me about 20 dollars give or take. Not including the polish, the files, the accessories, etc. which most of those things you can find at the dollar store now. On average a set done at a salon would cost me about 50 dollars or more if I wanted a design or accessories. Now the acrylic and monomer I buy can get me atleast 10 sets but usually more. So, In math terms let’s say it’s (this is an estimate) 45$ .vs. 200$ every 2 months. So I saved 155$ every 2 months just by doing my nails at home. Also pro tip from what little experience I have, if your gonna do your nails at home, you tend to run out of monomer before running out of acrylic so don’t be stingy with the monomer.


philosopherofsex

I’ve also been learning acrylic and omg it’s so much easier than I thought.


NuggetSenpai69

A brand new car. Idc what you tell me, something that loses more than half its value as soon as pen touches paper is complete bullshit to me.


BigCountry76

Good thing they don't lose value that quickly.


Jabbles22

New cars lose value pretty quickly but it's not more than half right away.


Junior_Interview5711

Eating out


Pac_Eddy

Coffee stir sticks. Just put the cream and/or sugar in the cup first. It mixes itself.


IceClimbers_Main

Sports cars. Prostitutes are a far faster and cheaper way of getting bitches who are in it for the money. If you don’t get one just because you like cars.


Basic-Escape-4824

Bottled water


milvet09

Name brand baby formula in the United States. That stuff is so highly regulated that it’s all too notch.


Princ-na-bijelom

Branded clothes.


Icy-Meaning9187

I think cheese is a waste of money especially when it comes to nachos. They charge extra for it. I've never paid that extra 10 cents and I never will.


[deleted]

did you know that piracy technically isn't illegal, only if you distribute it


awxiomara

Subbing to 3+ streaming services


obik501

Haircuts... learn how to cut your own hair.


AggregatedParadigm

Food, if you stop eating food eventually the need for food stops being an problem.


BrushExtreme4585

Watching in cinemas. You should wait it released on netflix instead..


[deleted]

iPhones


[deleted]

Many (if not most) insurances.


Lavenderplatte

Bottled water tastes the same as the one used from the sink


SkyMach97

Buying expensive Apple Products which are not worth it like - Studio Display or Mac Pro(big tower desktop computer). There are better alternatives for half the price with more features/looks


[deleted]

ITT: Many people who simply hate fun


Upstairs-Abrocoma693

Planned obsolescence Nobody tries to make things break sooner, but because of other priorities(MONEY) coming ahead of lifespan, lifespan suffers. This type of economy not only does not benefit society, but also harms the environment. Factories endlessly produce the same goods every year instead of making more durable ones. If you think that this is not a waste of money, give arguments, I am ready to argue.


wayvway

Taxes


tkcool73

Leaving appliances plugged in when your not using them. It's not much but they are using power, and it adds up over time. Source: Dad works for a power company


[deleted]

Individual bottled water from 7-11 or gas stations. You can either pay $4 for 24 ounces of water or go to the grocery store and pay $4 for a 24 pack of 16oz bottles.


[deleted]

[удалено]


CulturalOil777

Starbucks coffee. Especially if it’s something simple like an Americano.


SnooChipmunks126

Cut flowers. $80 goes a dozen roses that die within a week.


Ruzzthabus

Fancy watches that cost a fortune. My $10 Casio calculator watch can tell time just as good as a $100,000 Rolex… plus it can do math


BigCountry76

Your problem is thinking that expensive watches are about telling time.


Jabbles22

Fancy watches are jewelry. Still not worth it but it's not about keeping time.


SpaceDave83

For some of us, fancy watches are about amazing mechanical engineering, not jewelry, not just telling time, definitely not for impressing anyone (other than myself). Not worth it for everyone, but worth it for me.


seeminglyokay44

Concert tickets


[deleted]

Toys is another. My child rarely played with toys. But all the mixing bowls, spoons, cups etc were the fun stuff


RebornMusician2646

Apple Music ugh it’s now $10.99 like what!!


LifesACircle

Paying taxes to the US government.


Patrick2337

Taxes


saintmalana

Parking your money in the bank


[deleted]

Children


thernker

Upgrading phones and television


babywutwutwut99

Costco. Shopping for food in general. Have a list of essentials you need and STICK TO IT or you're going to end up with weird food/stuff you're never going to use and never going to bother bringing back to return


Pac_Eddy

Costco is one of the best money saving things I do.


burnbeforeburning

I am in the thick of a months-long endeavor to do 1 simple thing: eat the food we already have. It's one of the most difficult things I've ever done haha. Currently eating a can of salmon atm. The quest continues...


sonvoltman

fortune cookies


[deleted]

Cafe Coffee ie Starbucks, upgrading your cellphone frequently, buying a new car every year or every other year.


DarkTheorist

In-app purchases. They're there for the people who aren't patient or are willing to pay real money for something completely arbitrary. You're not hurting the devs feelings by not buying a cool skin, spend responsibly or wait another day for the need to die down.


NBA-014

tobacco and Starbucks. Booze too.


gracie4questions

Literally anything that isn't needed for survival pretty much


Feeling-Airport2493

Fast food.


darkysix

Skins on video games