12 things we should stop buying now.

[theoldwolf]

From Time's Moneyland Click the link for the full article - here you get the executive summary without having to page through the slide show.
 
 
 
 

1. Homeopathic Flu Remedies: The CDC says there is no benefit.
   
2. Credit Card Payment Insurance: Largely a scam, with so many conditions and exclusions that you may never see a dime.
   
3. Dirt-Cheap Paper Towels: Non-absorbent, cancelling your savings.
   
4. Bottled Water: Expensive, non-ecological. Exception: If you're in a place where the water can't be trusted. See more here.
   
5. Premium Gasoline: 99% of cars don't need it. Edit: (From the comments below, it appears that many people still use premium or a mixture to get optimal performance in various vehicles.)
   
6. Super-High SPF Sunscreen: Expensive hype - SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. Exception: If you're very fair-skinned or have a history of skin cancer.
   
7. Auto Service Warranties: Scams - "92 percent of consumers called the companies’ sales tactics misleading or improper." Note: These are not the "prepaid service plans" offered by many dealerships, but the aftermarket solicitations you get in your junk mail.
   
8. 100-Calorie Packs of Snack Foods: Make your own. Exception: If you're a binge-eater who can't stop from eating the whole pack, paying more is still better for you than the alternative.
   
9. Lottery tickets: A tax on people who are bad at math.
   
10. Unlimited Cell Phone Minutes: Most of us don't yak enough to make such plans worthwhile.
    
11. Brand-new college texts: Do everything you can to find or borrow used or electronic versions.
    
12. Extended warranties: Usually duplicate manufacturer's coverage and are not needed. Exception: Laptops (especially for students and frequent travellers).
    

Comments

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

1. Flu remedies? I got a cold a few weeks back and it was 3AM on the day the delerium set in before I actually thought of using any remedy at all other than drinking water and trying to sleep....
2. Used to get loan insurance, then I got made redundant and found out the hard way. Thank GOD for family.
3. Buy from Tesco's, so not dirt cheap. I don't buy the fancy-schmancy TV advertised pocketed/quilted type, either.
4. "Evian is Naive spelled backwards" ... but I DO buy cheap bottled water. Supermarket own brand, "bottled in the Scottish Highlands" straight oot th' Heilan' tap, likely... but if you saw the state the local H2Oly leaves the kettle in.... I have a BRITA, I should use it.
5. 95 Octane and even that is £1.31 min per litre. I'm changing to an Auto from my manual though, (I think something else is ready to drop off the old girl and the Auto is 5 yrs old with one owner - my brother in law - abso. trustworthy. I still think it may be a drinker.
6. When I use it, I use from Superdrug - highest off the cheap shelf. I think it's SPF30. When you bald you gotta have something up top.
7. like regular servicing is cheap?
8. That's why I buy Coke in cans. 330ml or 3 litres in a few hours? Too much and I get reflux.
9. Sometimes. If I feel "hot" I'll get a lucky dip entry in the lotto. But only ONE entry 'Cause when you hot you hot!
I do a regular in the Age UK Lottery... I've won £10! but that's more a "contribution" you might say. I don't expect £250k any time soon...
10. Pay As You Go and let the world go by.... I txt when I can but looking at my top ups a contract MIGHT be cheaper... also I'd get a sexy "free" phone every couple of years instead of my Tesco Samsung which covers my needs....
11. As has been said by other wiser posters.... When I bought my textbooks (still got most of them, not that I understand them still) it was usually the case that references in lectures would only apply to the latest edition, they DO shuffle the contents. And that's in electrical engineering, where Ohm's Law has never been repealed...
12. Did it ONCE on a recon. VHS-C camera. 50% of the purchase price and a waste of money. If it fails, it will normally go within 6 months and the Sale Of Goods Act will apply. Of course, you might be buying a crap design, no guarantee will help there....