Top 10 Money Drains

Discussion in 'Off-Topic' started by Mr. J, Aug 22, 2007.

  1. Mr. J

    Mr. J Triple Up

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1. Coffee -- According to the National Coffee Association, the average price for brewed coffee is $1.38. There are roughly 260 weekdays per year, so buying one coffee every weekday morning costs almost $360 per year.

    2. Cigarettes -- The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids reports that the average price for a pack of cigarettes in the United States is $4.54. Pack-a-day smokers fork out $1,660 a year. Weekend smoker? Buying a pack once a week adds up, too: $236.

    3. Alcohol -- Drink prices vary based on the location. But assuming an average of $5 per beer including tip, buying two beers per day adds up to $3,650 per year. Figure twice that for two mixed drinks a day at the local bar. That's not chump change.

    4. Bottled water from convenience stores -- A 20-ounce bottle of Aquafina bottled water costs about $1. One bottle of water per day costs $365 per year. It costs the environment plenty, too.

    5. Manicures -- The Day Spa Magazine Price Survey of 2004 found that the average cost of a manicure is $20.53. A weekly manicure sets you back about $1,068 per year.

    6. Car washes -- The average cost for a basic auto detailing package is $58, according to Costhelper.com. The tab for getting your car detailed every two months: $348 per year.

    7. Weekday lunches out -- $9 will generally cover a decent lunch most work days. If you buy rather than pack a lunch five days a week for one year, you shell out about $2,350 a year.

    8. Vending machines snacks -- The average vending machine snack costs $1. Buy a pack of cookies every afternoon at work and pay $260 per year.

    9. Interest charges on credit card bills -- According to a survey released at the end of May 2007, the median amount of credit card debt carried by Americans is $6,600. Rate tables on Bankrate.com indicate that fixed interest rates on a standard card average 13.44 percent. Making the minimum payment each month, it will take 250 months (almost 21 years) to pay off the debt and cost $4,868 in interest. Ouch!

    10. Unused memberships -- Costhelper.com reports that the monthly service fee at gyms averages between $35 and $40. At $40 per month, an unused gym membership runs $480 per year.</div>
    http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting...10-Money-Drains
     
  2. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    I'm a victim of #1 & #3.
     
  3. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Not a victim of number 1, I get my coffee for free. I don't know how people can blow their money at Starbucks...I mean...a 20oz cup of coffee for $1.95? Are you out of your damn mind? We had this one family that spent over $4,000 a year at Starbucks two years in a row. They finally bought their own espresso machine and I give them my discount when they come in to buy the syrups, mocha, and coffee (their daughter is dating my brother).

    I am a victim of the bottled water, that's it.
     
  4. Master Shake

    Master Shake young phoenix

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    Don't get me started on number 5.

    I'm with 3 & 5.
     
  5. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    You're a chick?
     
  6. igotask8board

    igotask8board Active Member

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    #7 is a pain. Thank you for taking my money and giving me the pimple on my left cheek.
     
  7. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Not a victim of number 1, I get my coffee for free. I don't know how people can blow their money at Starbucks...I mean...a 20oz cup of coffee for $1.95? Are you out of your damn mind? We had this one family that spent over $4,000 a year at Starbucks two years in a row. They finally bought their own espresso machine and I give them my discount when they come in to buy the syrups, mocha, and coffee (their daughter is dating my brother).

    I am a victim of the bottled water, that's it.</div>

    I'd rather pay the $1.95 than have to clean the expresso machine everyday. I actually only got to Peet's coffee two or three times a week, the rest of the time it's french pressed coffee or folgers instant coffee (if I'm short on time).
     
  8. Master Shake

    Master Shake young phoenix

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    <div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You're a chick?</div>

    Naw, it was a joke. [​IMG]
     
  9. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">#7 is a pain. Thank you for taking my money and giving me the pimple on my left cheek.</div>

    Yeah #7 really adds up in a hurry. I'm not sure if you cook or not, but something I've been doing is making extra and bringing the leftovers for my lunch. It's a lot healthier and cheaper. Plus the food seems to taste better the next day when the flavors have marinated overnight.
     
  10. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    YES! Food taste better the next day. People think I'm crazy when I tell them that, I think they're crazy for not even trying it!

    I also think Chinese food taste better cold, is that weird?

    Cleaning the espresso machine is rather easy, probably the easiest part of my pre-close duties.

    I love French Press coffee, it's a damn shame a lot of people don't know about it. I know you're not big on Starbucks, but try the Arabian Mocha Sanani FP'd (It's expensive, $17 a pound)...best cup of coffee you can get at Sbux IMO. Sometimes you can ask the barista working to do a taste test and use the Arabian Mocha, usually they'll go along with you and do it.
     
  11. Voodoo Child

    Voodoo Child Can I Kick It?

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    I guess gas isn't a money drain anymore?

    And do people really pay for car washes that often? They have them down here, but that's mostly for the people who have huge trucks (which is like 90% of the southern population come to think of it). But the old fashion car washes are more or less nonexistent down here. I've always just washed mine by hand.
     
  12. M Two One

    M Two One Halló Veröld!

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    <div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I am a victim of the bottled water, that's it.</div>

    Same here, that's it for me. I don't drink much alcohol, I don't drink coffee, I don't smoke and I don't have credit cards. I'm actually quite surprised haircuts aren't listed on that top ten. I've never had to pay for a haircut in my life thanks to my Mom being a hairstylist. I get my nails done by my fianc?e, just because I hate having my cuticles all messed up and the skin on my fingers all cut up and dirty. I never buy crap from vending machines, I wash my own damn car and I work out at home. The only time I wasted money on a membership was at Lids. I bought two hats there and decided to get a membership for discounts and haven't returned in three years. The membership expired a year after applying for it.
     
  13. Chutney

    Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

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    Bottled water gets me and maybe coffee when school starts, but I don't want to get in that habit again. I guess they listed things that people aren't a necessity, because gas really takes up a lot of my money.
     
  14. thedude9990

    thedude9990 JBB JustBBall Member

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    just water here, the water in my town from the facet taste bad, like at my aunts in another town is drinkable this one isn't idk why.
     
  15. huevonkiller

    huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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    4 and 7 for me. I also waste a bit of gas (I get only 20 miles a gallon).
     
  16. Run BJM

    Run BJM Heavy lies the crown. Staff Member Global Moderator

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    My tentative list would have women/girlfriends way at the top with gas coming in as a distant second. Also alcohol/weed/anything for partying would also be up there.
     
  17. MainMan

    MainMan JBB JustBBall Member

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    #1,3,4 and 7

    #1- I buy coffee everyday at work. Even though I could go without... Im pretty much addicted

    #3- I dont drink that much but I usually will go out at least once a week or buy a twelve pack. Its an easy 20-25 dollars maybe more depending how long I stay out at bars/clubs.

    #4-I dont spend to much on this since there is water fountain almost everywhere plus you can buy bottle water in bulk fairly cheap so it doesnt effect as much but still am a victim.

    #7- This is my biggest money drainer. About 5 months ago I started to budget my money hardcore only to find out I was using 55 dollars weekly on eating out. WoW thats a lot of money for one week. I started grocery shopping and bringing my lunch to work. Im now saving around 120 dollars[​IMG]
     
  18. NTC

    NTC Active Member

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    #3 is my biggest flaw, I must've spent about $2,000 on alocohol in the last 6 months alone.
     
  19. huevonkiller

    huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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    <div class="quote_poster">Run BJM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">My tentative list would have women/girlfriends way at the top with gas coming in as a distant second. Also alcohol/weed/anything for partying would also be up there.</div>

    Ah damn I forgot about that. It certainly is a money drain to go to a nice restaurant on a date or what not.
     
  20. Master Shake

    Master Shake young phoenix

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    <div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ah damn I forgot about that. It certainly is a money drain to go to a nice restaurant on a date or what not.</div>

    Same, forgot about the whole women aspect. I'm surprised wifes isn't up there. Like they spend money on grocery shopping, paying off the pool boy...
     

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