@Mike403 Yeah, Match and also OKCupid are the worst. In my experience nothing much happens, and once the sub ends you're suddenly getting visited by people 🙄 Keep removing features too. Definitely much better here.
My ex-wife
Fake children’s charity magazines…there’s another but that’s more embarrassing.
Never bought one but I am sure someone here has a timeshare.
Bottled water at the airport. Now I always bring an empty bottle to refill, now that most have refill stations.
Can’t say I was duped into buying it, I just didn’t have any other options.
Definitely my private student loans. Was victim to predatory lending that hid in the fine print that my cosigner's income would be ADDED to mine for income based repayments - apparently completely legally. The loans got pushed on me by the school and several financial advisors we had look over them before we signed. The cost has been far, far more than the original loan + interest.... Defaulting on the payments because they wouldn't work with me ruined my credit, forced me into more debt, severely damaged my mental health, and permanently damaged my relationship with my cosigner. I'm still paying for it in all those ways more than a decade later.
Following my brothers example in grade school to buy only brand name expensive clothes.
@cuddlefaery - The more I hear about student loans struggles, the more college feels like a scam. Isn't the point of going to college is to make more money?
I'm so glad my employer offers tuition reimbursement. It feels good not having a single dime in debt except the mortgage.
The funny is, my school actually tried to talk me into signing up for a loan even though I told them I get reimbursed by my employer. I declined and opted to pay out of pocket then get reimbursed when the classes are complete.
I returned to college mid career and my employer at the time paid for 80% of my M.S. degree. I paid for my PhD out of my own pocket a semester at a time. Working full time while being a part time grad student for 7 years was intense and draining (living on 5 hours of sleep per night) but I managed to graduate without any student loan debt.
In my case the graduate degrees have been a true investment that actually paid for themselves many times over.
@Mike403 college itself I absolutely loved. I took 8 years to get my undergrad because I took my sweet time meandering through classes I wanted to take rather than needed to. 1 year at one community college taking a crazy mix of random classes, 1 year abroad in Ireland doing an Irish Studies certificate program, 2 years mostly doing music degree prep & general ed, then 4 years at a liberal arts college for dance ed & music performance. I took more than full course load the entire way through because I'm a crazy (then undiagnosed) ADHD overachiever 😅. Ended up graduating with like 1.5 B.A. (a dance ed B.A. plus a music minor that is 3 classes short of another B.A.).
I love learning and take advantage of free/low-cost courses and seminars whenever I can... I'm such the stereotypical teacher it's hilarious 🤣. Have always planned to go back to finish second BA and get Master's, but life just hasn't worked out that way the past decade.... Not helped by that massive student debt.
Mini teacher rant...
What's worse though.... Even with the teacher shortages so many school districts and states are doing away with Master's incentives or cutting certification assistance programs for prospective teachers, so I'm far from the only teacher who has crashed and burned. Drop out rate for teachers is already insanely high, but add in worsening financial stress the past decade and it's become even worse. Of my graduating class in the education department less than 1/3 are still teaching 10 years later, and of the arts teachers I'm one of only 4 still involved in teaching in any capacity from an original 15 or so. And then folks wonder and complain about the shortage and quality of teachers.... 🤦🏻♀️
College was extremely fun if you like to learn (and teach at the grad level). The total haul was a Bachelor’s degree, 2 Master’s degrees and one PhD. Overkill? Absolutely. Fantastic experience? Priceless.
Now that was in the 80s and early 90s. The cost of college has exploded since then and I would probably not do it now even though 70% was paid for by scholarships and a few grants.
My ex got me for a 4,000 square foot house, 2 cars, and 10,000 a month in child support and alimony. That was some expensive A&$.
Essential oils Don't get me wrong they work great Just overpriced
@JohnR1972 My boyfriend has done the same, earning company-paid degrees while working full-time for years. Very exhausting, but nothing like being debt-free! So inspired by his determination.
~ Sunset Snuggles
Dating sites way back in 2000.
Upgrades on a cruise ship and shore excursions.
The really cheap cabins go where the expensive cabins go and they serve everyone the same food.
But, for those taking a once in a lifetime trip, a balcony room is often worth it.
I've just been on enough I'll be happy with an interior lower deck room.
@KYtransplant - Back during the Titanic era, the ticket fare determined what part of the ship they had access to. That's not the case anymore. Why would I care what my cabin looks like if I'm only in there to sleep?
@Molly_B
So well said, I was just about say ohhh just the 60k I’ve invested into my Psychology degree 📜 easily makes me feel that it was the most expensive thing I was duped into buying 😂
@relaxtoday221 Love the way you put that! 🤗
@everyone Back in Titanic era when I went to college, I graduated from a major university and tuition was about $1000 per year. No loans needed. It’s just out of control now.
I didn’t get duped, but I think it was way over priced, but I wanted a brand new truck so I ordered a new 22 Ram pickup. I bought a new 1977 Ford pickup $3600.00, then in 1994 a new Ford dually, $21K the 22 Ram was 52K, I love the truck but none are worth what they are asking !!!!
A tattoo shop in my early 20s. I had a few grand saved up from working double shifts at my summer job, which I used to embark on my very 1st business venture with a close friend. It was a nightmare from the very beginning: The books were cooked, my personality frequently clashed with my much more aggressive business partner, and the guy who sold us the business went off the grid. After 13 months of non-stop losses, we finally came to an agreement and sold the business again.