Money Down the Drain: The Shocking Truth About Women’s Biggest Financial Wastes

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It’s normal for women to have expenses they need to cover; that comes with being an adult.

But there are some items women admittedly spend entirely too much money on each year.

Members of an online women’s community were asked to describe those things, and the responses offered a glimpse into what they prioritize.

1. Horses

A couple of horse owners admit to spending between $1,000 to $2,000 a month on the care and maintenance of their horses.

Their monthly costs include insurance policies, boarding, care, and feeding. Spending anywhere from $12,000 to $24,000 a year is a large amount of money.

2. Clothing

Quite a few participants in the discussion express the fun they have going clothes shopping, even though they already have a closet full of outfits at home.

One even says, “I buy way too many clothes like I don’t even need them at this point. I’m one person. Why do I own like 30 hoodies?” Others buy clothes they don’t need for the thrill of finding a bargain.

3. Dining Out

Whether buying gourmet coffee and pastries several times a week or routinely having a meal at an upscale eatery, numerous women acknowledge spending entirely too much money at coffee shops and restaurants.

Some of them dine out for convenience, while others do so as a special treat to themselves, even though it can be expensive.

4. Beauty Aids

Among the more common purchases women on the thread self-describe as excessive are the costs associated with beauty aids, including makeup, skincare, hair care, makeup, and supplies for doing in-home manicures.

Spending money on things that make you look and feel pretty is easy.

5. Fine Art

At least one person laments how expensive original art is, writing, “I have some original art in my home–one watercolor, four oil paintings, some numbered and signed lithographs, some photographs. But I would have many more pieces if I didn’t have a strict budget.”

Trying to build a collection on a budget is indeed cost prohibitive.

6. Jewelry

A knack for spending money on the finer things in life isn’t limited to food and fashion.

For some commenters on the discussion board, the love of jewelry drives them to spend more than they should.

7. Plants

Having a green thumb is why an individual from the online community spends too much money on plants, including “House plants. Outdoor plants. Dirt for plants. Pots for plants. Fertilizer for plants. Rocks and bark to put around outside plants.

Greenhouse for plants. Plant labels. Grow lights. Plant stands. Seeds to grow more plants.” They confess to having something of a plant addiction.

8. Home Aquariums

What started as a small, relatively inexpensive hobby — a ten-gallon tank and one betta fish — has morphed into investing significant cash into a home aquarium system that includes several fish tanks and higher energy bills for someone on the thread, with plans to purchase another fish tank soon.

9. Concert and Music Festival Tickets

The live music enthusiasts in the forum think nothing of paying a small fortune for tickets to see their favorite musicians perform live.

“I’m about to spend a stupid amount of money on a Taylor Swift ticket,” reveals one music fan.

10. Food and Gifts for Others

Rather than spend outrageous amounts on themselves or their hobbies, one selfless spender reveals they save a ton of money by wearing their clothes and shoes until they fall apart, shopping at the dollar store for whatever they need, and driving their high-mile vehicle until it no longer runs.

They take those savings and spend them on meals and gifts for their friends and loved ones. Do you have an indulgence you spend a ridiculous amount of money on?

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This thread inspired this post.