Fool’s Gold: Unmasking the 10 Most Infamous Money Pitfalls in Human History

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURES. FOR MORE INFORMATION.

For the love of money, they say, is the root of all evil. But it’s also the root of some of the biggest wastes in human history.

From failed projects to frivolous expenses, people have spent billions upon billions of dollars on things that were utter failures.

According to the internet, these are the top biggest wastes of money in human history.

1. The Vietnam War

Soldier
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Vietnam War was a costly and unpopular conflict lasting over a decade. The US spent an estimated $168 billion on the war (equivalent to over $1 trillion in today’s dollars), ultimately ending in a stalemate.

Someone remarks that the Vietnam War was “a massive waste of money, effort and lives.” Over 58,000 Americans and countless Vietnamese civilians and soldiers were lost in the war.

2. The Spanish Armada

Sunrise in Puerto de Santiago city, Tenerife, Canary island, Spain
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

In 1588, King Philip II of Spain sent ships to invade England. The Spanish Armada was the largest fleet ever assembled at the time, but the English Navy ultimately defeated it.

They estimated the cost of the failed invasion to be around 130 million ducats or roughly $8 billion at today’s rates.

3. The Titanic

Titanic. Picture of a titanic pencil. The Titanic sails in the ocean.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Titanic was one of the most luxurious and expensive ships of its time, and it was also one of the biggest wastes of money in human history.

The ship cost $7.5 million to build, equivalent to over $400 million today. When it sank on its maiden voyage, it took with it the lives of over 1,500 people.

4. The Iraq War

Town near Palmyra in Syria
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Iraq War was another costly and controversial conflict many believe was a waste of money. It was a controversial conflict that began in 2003 and lasted nearly a decade.

The war cost the United States over $2 trillion, equivalent to over $4 trillion today, yet ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. Despite the enormous cost, the war could not accomplish many goals. Iraq remains a deeply divided and unstable country.

5. The Fyre Festival

MIAMI, FLORIDA / UNITED STATES - MARCH 30, 2019: Ultra Music Festival at the Miami Marine Stadium in Virginia Key, Florida.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Fyre Festival was supposed to be a luxurious music festival in the Bahamas but was a complete disaster.

Attendees paid thousands of dollars for tickets and accommodations, only to arrive to find that they had poorly organized the festival and it lacked necessities like food and water.

6. The Great Wall of China

Woman at great wall of China
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s most impressive engineering feats, but it was also a massive waste of money.

A contributor notes the wall cost the Chinese government an estimated $18 billion to build, equivalent to over $360 billion today. Despite its massive size and expense, the division failed to prevent many invasions and conflicts over the centuries.

7. The Concorde

Concorde airplane as representation of generic supersonic plane, symbol of the future of the passenger aviation
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Concorde was a supersonic passenger jet that was supposed to revolutionize air travel. Still, it turned out to be a colossal waste of money.

The plane cost over $1 billion to develop, and technical problems and safety concerns plagued it throughout its lifetime. It was eventually retired in 2003 after only 27 years of service.

8. The Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository

Nuclear power plant
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository, was a proposed nuclear waste storage facility estimated to cost over $90 billion to build.

However, after years of controversy and legal challenges, they canceled the project in 2010.

9. The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi

Sochi, Russia - February 15, 2014: The Olympic Torch erection with the burning flame in the Olympic Park was the main venue of the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014. Beautiful scenic sunset landscape
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, were one of the most expensive Olympic Games in history, with a price tag of over $50 billion.

Many of the facilities built for the games were never used again, and the cost of hosting the event contributed to Russia’s current economic woes.

10. The F-35 Fighter Jet

Lockheed Martin F-35 of the United States Air Force seen during its display at RAF Fairford, Gloustershire, UK. Taken on 15th July 2018 at the RIAT.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The F-35 fighter jet is one of the most expensive weapons systems in history, with an estimated cost of over $1.5 trillion. Despite its enormous price tag, technical problems and delays have plagued the plane. Many experts question whether it’s worth the cost.

While some of these projects may have seemed like good ideas, they ended up on this list. It’s a reminder that even the most well-intentioned endeavors can be costly failures.

61 Fun Money Facts You Didn’t Know

Photo Credit: khosrork via Deposit Photos.

Did you know there are places you can pay for things using a special local currency? Do you know why some coins have ridges on the sides? Discover over 60 fun money facts that you didn’t know.

61 FUN MONEY FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW

15 Gas Hacks For Free Gas

Photo Credit: darknula via Deposit Photos.

You’ve probably wished you could get free gasoline, but thought that was impossible. But the reality is, it isn’t impossible.

There are many free gas hacks you can use to save money on fuel ups. Here are 15 ways to lower the cost of gasoline, and in effect, get free gas.

15 FREE GAS HACKS YOU NEED TO TRY

Binge worthy Movies And Documentaries About Money

Photo Credit: oocoskun via Deposit Photos.

Do you enjoy movies and documentaries? If so, here are the best ones that are related to money.

All of them will keep your attention from start to finish, and who knows, you might actually learn something too!

21 BINGE WORTHY MOVIES AND DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT MONEY

How To Get Free Money

Photo Credit: Vadymvdrobot via Deposit Photos.

The idea of free money sounds like it can’t be true. But it actually is.

There are many ways you can get free money, from playing games, to watching videos, and more.

Here are the best ways you can get free money without having to work for it.

HOW TO GET FREE MONEY

Cash Stuffing Budget

cash stuffing envelope budget
Photo Credit: Bushko via Deposit Photos.

Cash stuffing is a trendy budgeting method that makes better use of the envelope system.

By using cash, you not only avoid debt, but you have greater control over how you spend money.

Find out why so many people have fallen in love with it.

CASH STUFFING 101

This thread inspired this post.

Leave a Comment