Things About People and their Money that Make Me Angry
We all have those little pet peeves about people and money. These are some of the things that put the flame to the fire when I see them happen:
Left receipts at the grocery store. This is a blatant indication that someone could easily be overcharged, that they don’t care where their pennies go, and that they don’t check their account statements against their receipts.
Perpetually tipping poorly. Service industries are the one place you can get paid for how well you do your job vs. how long you’re clocked in. Our society values hard workers, but then there are these people who tip poorly on principle. Even commissions are based not on the quality of work but on the value of the sale.
Kids being told that something is not affordable. This usually isn’t true. Kids see parents splurge on things for themselves. How is this affordable? Use the word “practical,” then make suggestions, like more practical alternative purchases (which you can manipulate into cheaper items) or suggest you and your child make something similar. Teach frugality, not poverty.
Large bills. If you’re seen breaking a hundred, you can be a target. It suggests your wallet may hold several of the same, and even if not, the change can be figured from what you’ve bought and even fifty bucks is worth picking a pocket for.
Rubber check writers. Too many people write checks that can’t be cashed. Some people depend on computer delays at banks, deposit runs being made the next morning, etc. These days, it’s too hard to beat the bank, and it can really cost you. Other people don’t keep careful records, and assume the balance that is in the bank is available for withdrawal, not taking into account these computer delays or a check that hasn’t been cleared.
Loose cash. There are wallets and money clips of all sizes, shapes, utilities, purposes, designs, leathers,…and some people still don’t have a better place for cash than their pocket or the main pouch of a purse. It’s so easy to drop your cash while scrounging around.
The token upgrade. From trim packages on your car to the most expensive item on the menu, people upgrade just because they can, just because it says they spent money. Some have no interest in what they’re getting, could get something better for cheaper, avoid sales, or have no use for the extras. Spending more money does not make you look cooler: it makes you look dumber.
Disposable regulars. Purchasing disposable products for daily use is a waste of money and resources, and terrible for our landfills. Paper plates, plastic cups, paper napkins, paper towels: the perpetual use of single serving products drives me crazy. (This goes for individual serving packages, too.)
The value of money on a sliding scale. When people think that their money is more valuable than mine, I fume. There are those that get a sense of entitlement when they’re spending loads of money at one time, like at a restaurant. Service is expected to be more attentive, more careful, and more prompt. I could be sitting right next to those people, and they expect me to be ignored. The truth is, where they spend all their money in one night, chances are, someone there at the same time is a regular and spends that kind of money spread out over a month or a week.
Sale harvesting. People check the papers and if something that they’ve just purchased goes on sale, they’ll return it at the price they bought it, and buy it again for the cheaper price. If that store doesn’t have a policy to give to you the difference of an item on sale now, you don’t have a right to go claim that difference in your own way.
Image courtesy of young_einstein
I never heard of sale harvesting before. That is very interesting. I would have never though of it.