Whether you consider it a downside or an upside. you can't deny that capitalism has helped spawn some pretty crazy marketing campaigns. We spend our lives bombarded by flashy ads on TV, with loud spokespeople telling us that we need the latest product that, by the way, only costs $19.99.
But wait! There's more! You probably knew all these ads have been encouraging people to waste their money on products they don't even need, but hey, isn't that the point of advertising? A truly effective ad, like these thought-provoking images you'd never guess were being used to sell dental floss, is what makes people say, "I need that!" But over the years, all the images, sounds, and written words have started to take their toll more and more, blurring the lines between what we need, what we want, and what we're spending money on 'just because.'
Most of us try to be smart consumers, spending more of our hard-earned cash on products that are of better quality instead of having to replace a cheaply made item over and over again throughout the years. But even the most careful of us may have bought in to some of the craziest crazes out there, and the people who started it are laughing all the way to the bank. Check out these dirt-cheap products that people spent a lot of money for, and tell us: Do you think it's worth it?
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1. The Snuggie
I will be the first to admit that I bought a Snuggie, I loved my Snuggie, and given the choice, I'd totally buy my Snuggie again. But I also know that the $20 I spent on it could have been spent on three normal blankets made of the same cheap (but oh-so-soft) material, and that the wholesale price for these things is about 1/3 of what I paid for it. Every time someone tries to remind me of it, though, I cover my ears with my soft, Cheeto-dust-stained Snuggie sleeves and all is well again.
2. Bottled water
Up to 92 percent of tap water meets state and federal standards for safety, but that doesn't stop us from spending over $110 billion on bottled water every year. It would be different if our own tap water was as dirty and contaminated as the bottled water companies say it is, or if the water sold in bottles was of significantly better quality, or if there weren't plenty of options for those of us who want portable, filtered water, but honestly there are zero reasons to be spending money on the stuff we're already paying to get from our tap.
3. Pressed pennies
You insert quarters, a machine gives you pennies. When the inventor of the pressed penny machine pitched that idea, you know they raised a few eyebrows — would people actually go for such an obviously "unfair" exchange? Based on the success of these itty bitty souvenirs, the answer is a resounding "yes." For people who go to exciting places like Disney World, these cute pennies are a perfect cheap and portable takeaway from the experience, so everyone ends up happy.
4. Pool noodles
Who would've guessed that a cylindrical piece of foam would be such a huge summertime hit? The people who created the pool noodle did, apparently. These things can be made for mere cents, but when they're sold for dollars, they return a huge profit. But they're so much fun to smack your siblings with in the pool, they're worth every penny.
5. Movie theater popcorn
If you've ever bought unpopped popcorn in a simple plastic bag, you know that there aren't many cheaper snacks in the world. That all changes when you go to the movies and pay up to $10 for a single tub of the stuff. Sure, it's laden with butter and salt, but that doesn't change the fact that you're getting charged an insane amount of money for what you could get for less than a dollar if you popped it yourself.
6. Bottled air
If you thought bottled water wasn't bad enough, some companies are even trying to get you to buy bottles of air. And not even the compressed air that you use to clean out your keyboard, but literally just a bottle of air. Some of them, like Wales in a Bottle, market it as a way to get a whiff of your favorite place. It's a cute idea, but probably not worth $31 for a tiny bottle.
7. Pet rock
Once you get past the pee, destroyed shoes, thousands of dollars in food and vet costs, and years of responsibility, having a pet is a lot of fun. A pet rock is the perfect way to have something to direct your love towards without dealing with all the annoying side effects that come with it. But it's still just a rock. Once a massive, inexplicable craze, pet rocks are still being sold for "only $19.95," complete with a certificate of authenticity (just in case you were worried it was a feral rock instead of a domesticated rock) and a carrying case (so it doesn't run around your car all those times you don't take it to the vet).
8. Chain coffee
Why are we still paying upwards of $7 for a cup of coffee when we could get an average-sized tub of the stuff for the same price? I know that plenty of popular coffee chains like to load up their drinks with sugary syrups, but there is virtually nothing that can justify the outrageous prices that millions of people pay every day just so they don't have to make their own cup at home.
9. Spanx
The actual composition of these popular undergarments might vary ever so slightly, but these things are basically glorified pantyhose. You can pay as little as a dollar for a normal pair of hose, but a pair of "shaping sheers" can cost up to $30 from this company. It just goes to show what the power of a good marketing campaign can do.
10. Animal pee
This is actually a really smart, ecologically friendly, and humane way to keep pests away from your home, but it doesn't change the fact that you're literally paying for animal pee. Companies such as Predator Pee take urine from animals such as wolves and bobcats by collecting it from drains in reserves and zoo enclosures, then sell it in bottles. All you have to do is use it according to the directions, and all your pest problems will disappear.
