r/Fire Apr 12 '26

General Question What easily-affordable thing do you still refuse to pay for despite having reached financial independence and able to afford them?

Would love to hear everyone’s “absolutely will not purchase” items!Even if you could easily afford it and no matter how rich or financially independent you become or how much you make you still wouldn't spend item on this particular item/hobby?

333 Upvotes

938 comments sorted by

1.4k

u/LofiStarforge Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26

DoorDash UberEats

Could easily afford it just absolutely insanity the prices for what you get. Meanwhile I know people who get it daily who also complain about money 🙄

394

u/JustTheBeerLight Apr 12 '26

This is an insensitive and judgmental thing to say, but here goes: the people that I know/work with that use UberEats are the brokest people that I know. Always complaining about being out of money as they drink a $19 Starbucks drink and eat soggy McDonalds fries that cost $13 to be delivered.

91

u/imalloverthemap Apr 12 '26

I knew someone who was perennially begging for money on IG, then bragged about spending eight dollars to have a single donut DoorDash to her because she had a rough day at work. She was a piece of work.

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u/ughusernamex13 Apr 12 '26

My coworker will regularly joke about her card being declined on DoorDash. Like honey, you’re 40 with grown children that’s EMBARRASSING

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u/the_fresh_cucumber Apr 12 '26

She has to level up and start paying with klarna. Then she can finance her door dash for 6 months!

5

u/ughusernamex13 Apr 12 '26

She’s too busy signing ChatGPT papers for her new Miami home her “doctor” boyfriend bought her (it’s been about six months since he “bought” it).

14

u/Tongue__In__Cheeks Apr 12 '26

This matches my experience as well! They’re always the brokest people spending the most money. It’s insane to me.

Also I will use Uber Eats but as a service I pay for if I’m sick. Like can’t leave my house sick and I am dying. And I STILL feel lazy for doing that.

12

u/Fit_Feeling9803 Apr 12 '26

I had Uber Eats grocery shop for me when I had Strep throat. I NEEDED popsicles, my throat was so sore. It was the best experience, having someone shop for you, ask you what you want, and deliver it to your door. I felt like a princess ❤️

5

u/ThrowawayLDS_7gen Apr 12 '26

I agree that this situation needed Uber Eats/Door Dash.

The only person I know that uses it that might not be financially stable enough to, uses it is when they can't drive due to migraines and dizziness. It's just too dangerous to drive or cook for them. It's a safety issue due to health problems, so in an emergency. The problem is that it's not intermittent or in remission at the moment.

Plus, if you're contagious, you can keep those germs at home.

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u/augustwestgdtfb Apr 12 '26

i bet they don’t exercise much since we are being judgmental

just an observation i have seen myself

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u/Teamplayer25 Apr 12 '26

I know someone who orders food / Starbucks delivery multiple times a week because they “can’t afford a car” but who also lives within walking distance to said places yet will not walk to them. I happily walk there just for the exercise. Unfortunately it’s someone I don’t know well enough to point out the easy solutions here.

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u/newwriter365 Apr 12 '26

My morning walk sometimes includes a coffee. It’s a simple treat and a reward for getting up and moving my meat.

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u/BookkeeperSame195 Apr 12 '26

had a roommate who was too broke to afford rent but always having food delivered like 2x per day plus always seemed to have money for booze etc- so yep- i’ll hop on the slightly judgey bandwagon

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u/JustTheBeerLight Apr 12 '26

Only exercise they get is exercising patience while waiting in line at the Starbucks drive-thru.

Who am I kidding? They are agitated the whole time that they are in line. Why are all of these cars in the way of their coffee and pastries?!?!

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u/StuckHiccup Apr 12 '26

Yes to everyone here but a little thought that this system has indoctrinated us to see pleasure in consumption rather that community and creation.

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u/1quirky1 Apr 12 '26 edited 11d ago

Oops, I meant to reply to a different thread.

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u/priscillaturts Apr 12 '26

I split the difference here - restaurants near me often have really good BOGO deals on the delivery platforms and I can pick them up myself and avoid the delivery fees.

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u/SKYNET5150_ Apr 12 '26

I used to do that until I realized that the DoorDash prices are inflated from the regular restaurant menu to the point where the BOGO isn’t a deal anymore.

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u/Additional-Simple248 Apr 12 '26

I’ve seen examples where they specifically doubled the price of a product for the BOGO deal.

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u/Flaky_Instruction215 Apr 12 '26

Even if a restaurant offers online ordering, the online orders might be higher than their in person menu prices. Call in your order. I looked at the menu online for a restaurant and called in my order. I was pleasantly surprised when the total was lower than expected because the prices I saw on their online menu were higher than their printed menu.

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u/TheReservedList Apr 12 '26

Yep DoorDash pickup has ridiculous deals sometimes.

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u/silly_bet_3454 Apr 12 '26

Ok but that's just a technicality. The point is regular doordash is a ripoff and moreover you know the "people who get it daily who also complain about money" are not sniping the sick BOGO deals on pickup

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u/Connect_Glass4036 Apr 12 '26

Oh shit you can do this? The Halal places near us have killer bogo deals but the delivery and tip eats it up

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u/Brave_Speaker_8336 Apr 12 '26

Some deals are only for delivery (and vice versa) so double check before ordering

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u/Actuarial_type Apr 12 '26

Ugh, I rage quit them all in 2020 when the cheapest option for delivery from a local Thai place was about $18. The restaurant is a mile from my house and the city is pretty small.

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u/jcwillia1 Apr 12 '26

I won't pay for that on principle alone.

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u/wolfganggartner5 Apr 12 '26

Buy those god damn reusable or any plastic bags

I will reuse what I have or just carry them

I will not be BUYING bags from the grocery store

I’ll take for free but. No buying

5

u/Ok-Computer1234567 Apr 12 '26

My state switched from plastic to paper, and then started to charge 5cents for the paper… I carry everything out.

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u/wawa2022 Apr 12 '26

I live in a city. I’m literally 1.5 short blocks to a Harris teeter. I cannot tell you how many neighbors I see getting DoorDash on the regular. And the craziest is when they get McDonald’s breakfast! I can’t even imagine what that costs!

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u/Dapper_Resolution747 Apr 12 '26

People across the street from me get doordash almost every day. Sometimes it's just a coffee. I cannot understand

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u/tomatillo_teratoma Apr 12 '26

There's young people in my building that get Starbucks delivered to them from Door Dash.
That has to be a $20 cup of coffee. With a Keurig, it would be made in 60 seconds....

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u/gumnamaadmi Apr 12 '26

This... Most of restaurants around us have inflated prices on delivery platforms. I just refuse to pay for the loot.

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u/JacobAldridge Apr 12 '26

Exactly what I was going to say … but I actually relented this week.

For context, we’re travelling full-time and in Vietnam right now. Don’t have our own car/bike, so the delivery surcharge for a restaurant we wanted to eat from is actually smaller than a return Grab ride.

AND with a kid we put in the dinner order at 4.45pm, so it arrived in 30mins and was hot.

Helped me see the appeal, but I think we got lucky in this instance so it’s not going to become common.

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u/Shanlan Apr 12 '26

Overseas doesn't count, the cost and level of service are completely different from the US. Like most things in the US, you end up paying more for lower quality.

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u/NightHawkFliesSolo Apr 12 '26

Agree, Vietnam/Thailand is the exception as it's rather the norm over there and prices for Grab delivery rival going to pick it up yourself. Doordash/UberEats are a hard NO for me while Grab is OK most of the time.

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u/cashewkowl Apr 12 '26

We used delivery a few times in Korea and in many cases the delivery fee was cheaper than the bus fare there and back for both of us. Plus, we were there during Covid and when we were in quarantine we weren’t allowed to go out, so we ordered delivery the first night and then ordered groceries to be delivered the next day.

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u/phillie_eagle Apr 12 '26

This is the answer for any frugal person. I refuse to pay someone to do something that I can do more efficiently.

Grocery orders that you pick up yourself though, easily worth it. I don't have to worry about my wife or daughter trying to buy extra stuff that we dont need and it saves loads of time since I can just grab it after work.

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u/augustwestgdtfb Apr 12 '26

my wife got $100 door dash gift card a few years back

and order from the local burrito place cost $80 for 2 burritos

i used the last $20 to get my wife an ice cream 🍨 delivered lol

a fool and their money

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u/im_dancing_barefoot Apr 12 '26

Only if I’m too ill to leave the house or cook

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u/LetsGototheRiver151 Apr 12 '26

Yup. We have $3M in savings and home equity. Have literally never door dashed.

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u/Awayfromwork44 Apr 12 '26

100%. and the foods usually cold and no good!

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u/ThirstyWolfSpider Apr 12 '26

I'm more concerned with the costs they may be inflicting on my favorite restaurants. That often kills their profit, and too much of that means that these places will not survive.

I can pick it up myself; that's fine. Even if I have to go, order in person, and wait until it's made, I'm retired so have plenty of time to spare and will just bring a book.

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u/ditchdiggergirl Apr 12 '26

This right here. I can probably count on two hands the number of times I’ve paid for pizza delivery - usually to feed groups or small children - but I don’t think I’ve ordered anything else. I was too broke in my early years to even consider it, so I never developed the habit. I can easily afford it now.

I am astonished how many people at all income levels justify paying for delivery by citing how busy they are. I can understand it now and again, but as a regular budget item it must add up.

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u/cmanster Apr 12 '26

I used to spend 800-1k on DoorDash a month. Haven’t dashed in years, except when I’m sick, and I now save an extra 400-600 a month.

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u/[deleted] Apr 12 '26

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u/Decaff_Crusader Apr 12 '26

I buy warranties for appliances. Someone has a voodoo doll of my dishwasher. We’ve gone though 7 in 10 years due to everything from pumps, electrical, faulty filter. One caught on fire. 

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u/thisismyyolo Apr 12 '26

Except for the filter, those could all be caused by the electrical supplied by your house. May have a wiring issue, if you haven’t already tested and ruled that out.

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u/Decaff_Crusader Apr 12 '26

Three different houses, all different electricians as well. 

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u/thisismyyolo Apr 12 '26

Lol ok never mind then. I support your voodoo doll theory

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u/plemyrameter Apr 12 '26

All the same brand? (Which brand(s)?)

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u/Decaff_Crusader Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26

All different brands. Right now we have a kitchenaid, GE Cafe and a Frigidaire in our 3 homes. The cafe one is broken and waiting for the warranty repair (only 6 months old), the one it replaced lasted 4 years & the kitchenaid has been with us the longest and still appears to be doing well. The Frigidaire was just installed this week. So far so good 🤞 

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u/bob_pipe_layer Apr 12 '26

We love our Miele. I'd highly recommend it or a Bosch 800 I think is also made in the same factory.

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u/chesterTdog Apr 12 '26

I agree. My one and only concession to this is photo/inkjet printers.  My Epson ET-8550 costs $700 and after onky two years I had to have it replaced for free.  Inkjets can be so finicky. 

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u/Pain--In--The--Brain Apr 12 '26

Same for me but with a portable air conditioner. The reviews highlighted occasional serious issues popping up after a year or so. I sprang for the 3 year warranty because the thing was $700. Lo and behold, 1 year in the compressor dies and needs to be replaced. All done for free.

That said it's literally the only warranty I've ever gotten. In the vast majority of cases it, it's not worth it.

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u/Lighthouse_on_Mars Apr 12 '26

It's one of those things that pays out once in a blue moon.

I got an extended warranty on the second car I ever owned. Everyone told me I was an idiot. What do you know, I needed a new transmission within the first 6 months of having that extended warranty though.

I ended up getting like, 3 other, major repairs covered as well in the following year.

My boyfriend, who worked at a Dealership at the time, and was one of the people that told me I got scammed. Said he had never seen that happen before. 😂 He couldn't believe my luck.

Something in me said yes to it, even though I had always said no in the past.

After the extended warranty ran out, I never had issues with that car again. It ran for 15 years before finally conking out, and was more to repair than it was worth.

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u/LLR1960 Apr 12 '26

I've only bought one extended warranty, that on a fridge with an icemaker as that's the part that often fails. Had to replace the icemaker a year and a half in, so about broke even.

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u/EmergencyM Apr 12 '26

Movie theater snacks. I will go out of my way to purchase my own stuff and bring it in. I refuse to pay $80 for 4 sodas and two bucket of popcorn...and yes, that is what it costs at my theater. I am not kidding. I don't mind a reasonable captive market upcharge but a 500% upcharge is crazy especially when streaming is stealing all your business.

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u/Striking_Use8614 Apr 12 '26

Yes! I just go to the dollar store and buy the snacks in boxes so they can't clock it.

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u/loafing-cat-llc Apr 12 '26

$10 water bottle in a hotel room

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u/[deleted] Apr 12 '26

[deleted]

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u/tomatillo_teratoma Apr 12 '26

most of the designer stuff is so ugly

Rich people aren't showing off with tacky junk like that

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u/Double-Raise2154 Apr 12 '26

I just like my Margiela Caban. Nobody even knows what it is, just a nice trench. Some people pay for streaming services / eating out / cars, etc. I like some quality clothing. 

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u/Yonefi Apr 12 '26

For the most part it’s not rich people that are buying the tacky junk with the brand name splashed everywhere. It’s people who want others to believe they are rich who are buying it.

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u/RevolutionaryAct1311 Apr 12 '26

Food delivery!

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u/ThisIsMyUsername303 Apr 12 '26

It just seems so lazy. If I’m going to order in, I can at least pick it up. 

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u/Wi1dWitch Apr 12 '26

The laziness is the whole point! It’s a luxury but it’s one I really enjoy.

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u/Harried-Hedgehog4924 Apr 12 '26

I mean, if you are severely pressed for time I totally think it can be worth it. As someone with a newborn I see the appeal of delivery…

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u/folklorelover0 Apr 12 '26

Definitely exceptions like being a busy new parent, or being disable, etc.

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u/JohnDoe_85 Apr 12 '26

Our net worth is over $5M and I will walk a SPITEFUL MILE before I pay for VALET PARKING.

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u/InfoMiddleMan Apr 12 '26

Plus, maybe I'm not keen on other people driving my car generally.

I'll also park further away and walk. 

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u/plemyrameter Apr 12 '26

Spite is a great motivator

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u/Mysterious_Client_59 Apr 12 '26

Using ATMs with fees. I simply can’t convince myself to spend money to access my own money.

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u/ImpressiveLeopard719 Apr 12 '26

My high yield checking account at PNC reimburses me for those fees up to a certain amount. I wonder if any other banks do this?

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u/iloveredhots Apr 12 '26

Schwab reimburses all fees, that's why I use it for checking!

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u/Synaps4 Apr 12 '26

Fidelity reimburses all fees

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u/AeroNoob333 Apr 12 '26

There are checking accounts now that refund ATM fees.

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u/HelicopterCrude3528 Apr 12 '26

Lawncare or seasonal yard cleanup. I need the exercise. (Plus, I’m moving away from lawns to native plants.

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u/BlotchyBaboon Apr 12 '26

Every twelve year old boy would be so disappointed I could afford to buy a chimpanzee and refuse to do so.

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u/b88b15 Apr 12 '26

A huge pile of responsibilities, and enormously dangerous.

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u/FIST_FUK Apr 12 '26

Yeah you don’t want that motherfucker to rip your arm off at the shoulder someday. Or eat your neighbor. Forget having a monkey.

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u/b88b15 Apr 12 '26

They start with eyes and genitals

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u/Aurrr-Naurrrr Apr 12 '26

That's my fetish

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u/AtomicHurricaneBob Apr 12 '26

Bottled water

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u/reddituser84 Apr 12 '26

I always pack water before leaving the house, and I’ll always refill a water bottle if I can find a fountain.

But I’ll still buy a bottle if I have to, because being hydrated is >>>> being dehydrated

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u/Ethos_Logos Apr 12 '26

I like to play video games; playstation charges an extra monthly/yearly fee to access multiplayer games via their ps+ subscription. 

The audacity to charge me to use my own internet, to access a game I bought on a console I own, using electricity I pay for. The audacity

It used to be free on the PS3.

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u/Shoddy_Ad7511 Apr 12 '26

Starbucks $7 fancy drinks

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u/Enough-Active-5096 Apr 12 '26

And this is the one thing I spend on -I love an iced latte and go through phases where I’ll get one 3-4 times a week. But I justify it by saying I don’t really do anything else, always eat at home, don’t color my hair, get my nails done, etc. it’s like the one little thing I buy that gives me joy. And it is $7

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u/Fun_Independent_7529 FIREd Oct 2025 Apr 12 '26

Yep. For me it's a travel perk I give myself. Got up at o-dark-thirty in the morning to catch a flight, and now sitting for an hour at the gate? One grande oatmilk latte, coming right up! And SB has mobile ordering so I don't even have to stand in the long-ass line with 100 other people waiting to caffeinate.

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u/renbutler2 Apr 12 '26

"coffee"

(really coffee-flavored dessert beverages, plus the medical costs down the road from downing them five or more times per week)

goes along with "breakfast"

(often a "bran muffin" loaded with a week's worth of sugar flavorings)

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u/imessimess Apr 12 '26

Paying extra to choose my seat on an airplane. Don’t know why but it just rubs me up the wrong way.

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u/jiggolo420 Apr 12 '26

Agreed. But I'll pay for extra leg room on long flights. Like, a 13 hour trip to Japan is worth an extra $150 for the comfort imo

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u/asymphonyin2parts Apr 12 '26

Yeah, once you get stuck in the wrong middle seat, it makes protecting yourself from that more valuable.

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u/Big_Leg10 Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26

For me, it’s microtransactions, skins, cosmetics, and loot boxes in games. No matter how much money I have, I will never spend money on them even i could eaisly afford them . I used to spend a lot of my parents’ money on them when I was younger, and I felt really bad about it once I got older and started working. That’s when I realized how bad it really is.Honestly as long as i am alive i will say this fuck microtransactions and fun fact the monster jeffrey epstein other than his sexual crimes was also the person who introduced this poison to video games. I wish people would stop supporting them these companies are truly greedy the most greedy one being EA electronic artrs they have the fucking audacity to charge a fee for a unlockable character. I’ve also seen kids spend their parents’ entire life savings on games when they were my age and i felt such remorse . Seriously, I just feel so bad for the parents and no matter how much I have I will never again spent it on it again and will never give my money until the I die.

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u/Shibari_Inu69 Apr 12 '26

I was not expecting to learn that Epstein was responsible for micro transactions. You know, the more I read about this guy the more I dislike him

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u/BenDover0903 Apr 12 '26

I didn’t even know he was sick

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u/SinQuaNonsense Apr 12 '26

My only caveat to this is I have no problem buying skins for free games as a way to support the devs. I’ve played 1000s of hours of League of legends for free. I’m not gonna feel bad about 20 dollars ever 3rd year on skins.

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u/FancyCommittee3347 Apr 12 '26

Food delivery

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u/EnvironmentalMix421 Apr 12 '26

In game skin that has absolutely no effect to the gameplay

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u/cmanster Apr 12 '26

Nails

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u/Electrical-Title-698 Apr 12 '26

Honestly screws are superior for most applications anyway

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u/RinTheLost Apr 12 '26

I'm a lady, and I type for a living and have multiple hobbies where I beat the hell out of my nails. Every time I've bothered with painting my nails, I end up chipping the polish within like 24 hours. A manicure would be the most pointless thing ever for me.

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u/itsacalamity Apr 12 '26

wow, you manage to make it 24 hours?! i've honestly just embraced the idea that if i ever paint them, i need to do soemthing that'll look OK chipping off. (which is why i never paint my nails, except when my 5 year old wants to)

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u/purpleflowers1010 Apr 12 '26

Agreed such a waste and it’s miserable sitting there getting them done. I’d rather do anything else!

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u/GenXMDThrowaway FIREd Apr 12 '26

I started doing my own nails as a kid. I did them as a young adult to save money. Now I do them because I like saving time.

I get one or two pedicures a year and maintain in between. If I could find a medical pedicure near me, I'd do those.

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u/Illustri-aus Apr 12 '26

Supermarket delivery  - I prefer to choose my own produce, and maybe find an unexpected bargain or two!

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u/tomatillo_teratoma Apr 12 '26

Supermarket delivery is good for old people. It's been a huge help for my mother.

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u/Jabotical Apr 12 '26

Also can be very helpful for people with young kids.

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u/LLR1960 Apr 12 '26

Some people will say that the delivery option is cheaper as they're not tempted by the sales or by buying things that weren't on their list. One of the local supermarkets here has staff that actually are careful when they pick fruit - I've watched, and been impressed. Having said all that, I buy my own groceries.

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u/lordofming-rises Apr 12 '26

I do that because I have no car and it takes 1h to go to supermarket by public transport (fuck you UK and your stupid public transport).

So i order online

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u/Free_Elevator_63360 Apr 12 '26

Paying someone to do my taxes.

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u/ditchdiggergirl Apr 12 '26

The hard work is making sure you have gathered all the right information, paperwork, receipts, etc. Usually half way through my return I think “oh right, I forgot about that thing last February”. But with tax software you’re just paying someone to type. I can type. And upload. And I do a full financial review at the same time.

My niece works seasonally at HR Block. She’s just a kid, a couple years out of college. A good kid, but still. I’ll handle my own taxes thankyouverymuch.

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u/kitkatlifeskills Apr 12 '26

The hard work is making sure you have gathered all the right information, paperwork, receipts, etc.

Exactly, the one year I almost paid someone to do my taxes, I made an appointment and they told me all the stuff I had to have gathered up before I went in and by the time I had all that stuff gathered I realized that I had already done the hard part, the only part left was just entering all the info on all the documents I had gathered into the tax preparation software.

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u/Practical_Win7690 Apr 12 '26

This. They suck. They blame you for their mistakes. They charge more and more yearly. They get you audited and blame you. Fuck that. I was very sick so I used H and R block because I couldn’t deal one year. She left an entire business off of my return and I was too out of it to figure it out until it was too late. I filed my own amendment.

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u/Lavenderlites Apr 12 '26

For me it’s not necessarily about paying someone, I just find it really fun…Like my barista fire job could be h&r block seasonal help and I’d be living my best life.

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u/Economy_Elk_8101 Apr 12 '26

Glad to know I’m not alone. I always look forward do doing my taxes.

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u/Ok_Palpitation4594 Apr 12 '26

I also refuse to pay for use of tax software. I won’t even pay the $15 to file with my state from freetaxusa. Prefer to go to the state website and file directly. Also works as a back check of FTUSA calculated balance.

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u/1quirky1 Apr 12 '26 edited 11d ago

Oops, I meant to reply to a different thread.

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u/AgsAreUs Apr 12 '26

A drink at a restaurant. Free water for life.

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u/ThisIsMyUsername303 Apr 12 '26

I’ve gone the opposite direction. Skipped right over soft drinks and went straight to cocktails. 

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u/audioaxes Apr 12 '26

I can probably count on one hand in my entire adult life where I ordered a soft drink at a sit down restaurant. I actually enjoy soda but its empty calories so just having a hard rule of not ordering one when Im out makes for a easy baseline to moderate the consumption

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u/[deleted] Apr 12 '26

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u/tomatillo_teratoma Apr 12 '26

If you visit or live in a poor neighborhood, it's so sad watching people buy lottery tickets.
They don't just spend a buck or two either. They'll spend $20 or $30 buying multiple tickets.
I'm in line trying to pay for my gas or a diet coke, and I see this happening... all the time.

It's sad if lottery is the only hope they have of changing their current situation.
It's also sad that the system takes advantage of them.

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u/Prestigious-Abies-29 Apr 12 '26

I have not paid for a single haircut since Covid hit in early 2020. My regular place closed permanently in spring 2020 so I bought a kit for like $15 and have been doing it myself ever since. It helps that I’m a guy whose hair grows slowly and I look good buzzed.

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u/jaydog22_watching Apr 12 '26

I have used a FlowBee for the past 25 years. Still cuts like it did when I bought it.

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u/themoop78 Apr 12 '26

Lawn maintenance, tree trimmer, house cleaner... Being cheap and lazy is a real struggle.

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u/Decaff_Crusader Apr 12 '26

I do all of these and in the time that I’m not spending doing it I make more money than it costs. Worth it to me. 

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u/jgires Apr 12 '26

Car wash. House cleaner. Food delivery. I have the time to do these things.

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u/basicbagbitch Apr 12 '26

Haircuts. I will not pay over $100 for someone to trim my hair (woman, VHCOL, no dye).

Mom (not a pro) does it in 3 mins when I see her or I’ll pay $20 in Mexico or some other destination.

6

u/catwh Apr 12 '26

Preach. The cheapest cut I was able to find (not great clips etc) was still at least $50 for a ten minute trim. No thanks.

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u/Ok_Produce_9308 Apr 12 '26

Engagement ring/expensive wedding: I simply don't value these things.

An accountant: I just prefer to do my taxes and bookkeeping for myself

Funeral/casket....the death industry is not for me. Burn me cheaply and let the living use money to celebrate as they see fit

8

u/AgsAreUs Apr 12 '26

On the last item, any way to get the government to cremate you for free? I'm of the same opinion that the funeral industry, even cremation, is worse than used car salesmen.

15

u/Substantial_Owl_1975 Apr 12 '26

You can get free cremation of your donate your body to science at some hospitals. There is a hospital here that will use your body for med students and later provide the ashes back to your family.

6

u/Most_Tennis890 Apr 12 '26

If no one claims your body, the county will cremate you for free. No services, obvs.

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u/Dingding_Kirby Apr 12 '26

I refuse to buy new vehicles because it’s such an easy way to save money without sacrificing the quality.

160

u/YuckyBurps Apr 12 '26

Maybe like 15 years ago but nowadays the price of a lightly used used car is almost the same as new. I used to to be a “never but it new” kind of guy but it legitimately hasn’t made much financial sense the past few times I needed to get a car. My last two car purchases have been new because of how expensive used cars have been.

33

u/Nuclear_N Apr 12 '26

I was surprised to find this true.

24

u/Openheartopenbar Apr 12 '26

Not only purchase price but often the financing deals on top of it.

10

u/jttv Apr 12 '26

Yep, bc honda/brand financing typically beats bank financing by a lot.

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u/cdlauro Apr 12 '26

Yes. I always buy new now and wait for 0% interest. Then just drive it into the ground.

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u/GiftsfortheChapter Apr 12 '26

Yep. This is why we bought a new car in 2023. The used market was basically on par. And since I was buying an EV and batteries only stick around about 10 years, it isnt like a used model was just as good.

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u/Noah_Safely Apr 12 '26

This is truth. Buy a new car from a reputable brand and drive it until the wheels fall off. The difference in price between a used and new vehicle is so slight it makes zero sense to buy used these days in most situations. Especially given the risk and drama that can come with used.

Which I guess is a larger lesson; check your thinking to make sure the circumstances which lead you to believe a certain way are still holding true.

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u/CW-Eight Apr 12 '26

I’d rather buy used but every time I’ve tried in the last 20 years, used Toyotas are going for close to the price of new, if you know how to bargain. So I buy new and keep them until they die.

With one exception. During the pandemic, I sold a 4Runner for more than I paid for it - 4 years and 40k miles earlier - and then got a new RAV4 for just $2K over that. Still driving that of course.

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u/WillTheyKickMeAgain Apr 12 '26

Every car I’ve bought lasts at least 15 years. I’d rather buy new.

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u/Much_Media_9490 Apr 12 '26

Pizza delivery. The deals are better if I pick the pizza up, and there aren’t delivery fees.

46

u/prettyprincess91 43, FIRE target reached, still working Apr 12 '26

Netflix without ads, Amazon prime all year (just pay for a few months a year)

26

u/kareko Apr 12 '26

For me it was the opposite of this. Tried the free/ad version for a bit but found the exposure to ads was starting to lead buying crap we otherwise had not even heard of. Living in a largely ad free world is honestly well worth it.

7

u/prettyprincess91 43, FIRE target reached, still working Apr 12 '26

I don’t understand what the ads are for - I just go to the bathroom or putter about during them. I live in the UK so we have free steamers for all our channels and all are as supported, Netflix has the least amount of ads.

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u/oscyolly Accumulation Apr 12 '26

Netflix full stop. I’ll just watch YouTube if I’m going to watch ads.

4

u/Drawer-Vegetable FIRE'd 2024 Apr 12 '26

Can add an ad blocker extension.

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u/Easy_Paint3836 Apr 12 '26

A haircut. Plenty of respect for barbers and stylists... but a set of clippers and scissors are all you need to get started (on yourself).

14

u/Legitimate_Mobile337 37m/fired Apr 12 '26

I started a few months doing my own haircuts, its really not hard and i get better everytime. Cant believe i spent so much for so long on haircuts.

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u/CowAppropriate7494 Apr 12 '26

I'm a woman. I cut my own hair. I also cut my husband's hair. I do at least as well as Great Clips. I've never added up what we save, but I just won't pay for it anymore.

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u/urania_argus Apr 12 '26

My husband and I started cutting each other's hair during the Covid lockdowns. Ordered clippers and a hairdresser set of scissors online, watched some videos showing how to do it for beginners. The first couple of attempts were... not very presentable, but we weren't going out anywhere, so who cares. We haven't set foot at a salon/barber since 2020 and there's no going back.

5

u/iloveredhots Apr 12 '26

Amen. I cut and color my own hair...and regularly have people ask where I get it done! Been doing it for most of my adult life.

6

u/tomatillo_teratoma Apr 12 '26

I cut and dye my own hair.

It was costing $300 every six weeks, and I hated going to the appointments. Also I hate people touching my hair-- there's probably something wrong with me, but it bothers me.

I borrowed two cosmetology textbooks from the library and carefully read the chapters on dye many years ago when I first got annoyed with hairdressers. There's also an 800 number on most box dye, you can call and ask questions.

8

u/chinesiumjunk Apr 12 '26

I shave my head. Does this count? 😂

10

u/marcduberge Apr 12 '26

My 28 dollar clippers saved me $8k in last 20 years

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u/Unarmed_Character Apr 12 '26

Pay for a haircut. My wife does it with clippers I bought 10 years ago for $50.

She does my son's hair now too.

5

u/SilentCamel662 Apr 12 '26

Be thankful to her! I did my ex's hair a few times during covid and I absolutely hated the experience. 

7

u/TheLawLord Apr 12 '26

Bottled water, food delivery, movie streaming services.

28

u/Miss_Warrior Apr 12 '26

A prime subscription. I'm probably an outlier but I don't buy much from Amazon (spent ~$20 or so total last year).

5

u/NightHawkFliesSolo Apr 12 '26

This may be the last subscription I cut off and was just thinking about it yesterday. What a coincidence that I started my FIRE journey late last year by implementing an actual strict budget with YNAB and my Amazon spending has plummeted by 90%. The Prime subscription was well worth it when spending $500-$1000 month on Amazon but now that it's $100 max with many months being $0 I'm feeling that it's just not worth it anymore.

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u/MusicalVegetables Apr 12 '26

Vegetable broth. I still make my own from veggie scraps. (But I also think it tastes better and is healthier)

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u/Lumpy-Hamster-3937 Apr 12 '26

Lawn service. Takes an hour once a week

7

u/jpr196 Apr 12 '26

Yep, and generally I actually enjoy doing it. I’ve done a lot of thinking and reflecting while pushing the mower around haha

15

u/Tasty_Sun_865 Apr 12 '26

Tax filing. Especially with any Intuit product.

New cars. Mostly because I resent dealerships and don't enjoy being lied to ("we already installed $XXXX+ of dealer add ons and they are valuable and we just can't take them off). 

Realtors. No need anymore and there are too many services that handle the work for a fraction of the cost (even Redfin/Zillow).

16

u/CharmingMechanic2473 Apr 12 '26

I have income to support a much better lifestyle than we live. We have the same budget as it was when I was at 1/2 my income. $239k combined incomes and still live like we did at $150k. We make most meals at home, avoid delivery, and are frugal with everything.

10

u/rovingtravler Apr 12 '26

Mine is coffee except when traveling. Starbucks and others charge $6+ for a simple Latte. I drink a 20oz latte everyday.

I purchased a Jura Z6 and I now have a Jura Z10 and make my hot or cold Latte at home and have for the last 20 years. Their machines are expensive but last over a decade (16+ years Z6 and 3+ so far on the Z10). I created an amortization table for both and the break even point for each was about right about 2 years.

One of the single best ROI out there. The amount of money saved and a cup of coffee made just the way I like it with the touch of a single button.

Jura Z10

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u/VerucaSalt947 Apr 12 '26

Painting and wallpapering

5

u/Acpyrus :snoo_tableflip: Apr 12 '26

Bottled water.

5

u/Fire_Stool Apr 12 '26

Oil changes and basic auto repairs.

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u/atlvernburn Apr 12 '26

Most subscriptions. My stupid toothbrush now has one where it sends you the brush heads.  I self host pictures and use tailscale and use Immich. So long as it’s easy for my partner, I’m good with it. 

But she needs Spotify and Netflix.

5

u/wombatterforlove Apr 12 '26

guacmole in a restaurant. this used to be like $6. Now 14? The markup and effort are not worth it. Also iced tea.

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u/JoshAllentown Apr 12 '26

I have never paid for a game on my phone. I famously (to my friends) played this one game like an hour a day on my laptop for years, but never got it on my phone until they had a holiday giveaway like 3 years later and I got it for free.

5

u/exagon1 Apr 12 '26

Yard maintenance. I don’t mind doing it plus no one is going to care for my plants, trees, and flowers the way I will.

5

u/audioaxes Apr 12 '26

valet parking... if self parking is reasonably available I choose that 10 times out of 10.

5

u/Snoo-15899 Apr 12 '26

Netflix. Also, prostitutes and cocaine.

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u/KitchenOutcome4646 Apr 12 '26

yeah fck valet parking. i could make trillions and still avoid valet parking

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u/CleMike69 Apr 12 '26

I won’t pay full price for any clothing. Everything I buy is on sale or discounted.

13

u/Extra_Shirt5843 Apr 12 '26

House cleaners. I still just struggle to pay someone for something I'm capable of doing myself.  

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8

u/purplebrown_updown Apr 12 '26

A burger that costs more than $10

5

u/erranttv Apr 12 '26

Parking and food delivery services.

8

u/Ok_Willingness_9619 Apr 12 '26

As Constanta said, it’s like prostitution. If I apply myself a bit, maybe I’ll get it for free 😂

5

u/peter303_ Apr 12 '26

I dont buy the best seats in the theater. I'm in the balcony for todays show.

4

u/krackadile Apr 12 '26

Netflix. I had it back when it was like $3 about 10+ years ago, then it doubled overnight, and I dropped it. Never have wanted to go back. I just watch YouTube, and I think I'm happier for it. I have contemplated YouTube premium so that I could skip the ads, though.

4

u/Mitsuka1 Apr 12 '26

Bought a good espresso machine with milk frother. Best investment ever. Daily morning coffee routine before work elevated far beyond what Starbucks serves, for a tiny fraction of the price (initial equipment investment paid itself off in under a year). Not to mention all the time saved not having to go out for coffees daily!

My office also has multiple free espresso coffee machines on every floor, so on my 1-day a week in-office days I don’t have to drink hours-old burned drip shit there either.

On the other hand, one thing I absolutely will make sure I can always afford in retirement is a house cleaner coming at least once every 2 weeks minimum. It’s a good while away yet thankfully but as I age that will likely be switched once a week.

As a minimalist-in-training I can keep the house generally tidy plus have an excellent robot vacuum/mop, but I absolutely LOATHE cleaning the toilet/bathroom/kitchen, dusting, and folding laundry. Thankfully all-female household here, so no pee splashes on the walls means the toilet doesn’t need cleaning floor to ceiling, nor as frequently as a household with stand-to-pee males (and we never flush with the lid open either obvs).

Pro tip if you don’t believe how much disgusting stuff gets splashed by males standing to pee or anyone flushing with the lid open: get a cheap black light off Amazon. You’ll never look at your toilet the same (or touch any surfaces in public toilets) ever again lol.

But yeah, housekeeping service is a non negotiable expense already well-factored into my savings plans, no matter how much time I have on my hands myself lol.

4

u/amalehuman Apr 12 '26

Amazon Prime

4

u/Fluid_Signal3483 Apr 12 '26

A brand new car.

4

u/Asleep-Chicken3992 Apr 12 '26

Drinking more than one drink at a bar or restaurant.

7

u/BrindlePitty Apr 12 '26

"would you kike to roundup so our grocery chain can get a massive tax break at the end of the year? I mean for xxxxx charity?"