People Are Warning Others About These ‘Waste of Money’ Purchases: ‘Stop Buying This’
From detox products to delivery apps, people say these everyday purchases just aren’t worth it anymore.
A simple question on Reddit sparked a surprisingly passionate response: What’s something people commonly buy that’s a total waste of money?
Thousands of replies rolled in, and while the answers ranged from funny to downright furious, a few clear themes kept repeating. From wellness products that overpromise to convenience purchases that quietly drain bank accounts, people weren’t shy about calling out the things they wish they’d never spent money on.
Here are some of the most upvoted and most debated answers.
“Detox” anything
One of the most popular responses was short, blunt, and instantly relatable:
“Anything with the word Detox in the description.”
That sentiment quickly snowballed into a broader critique of the detox industry, with commenters questioning why people are paying for products meant to “cleanse” something that already does that job on its own:
“Detox pills. What do people think the liver does?”
Many people expanded the criticism beyond detox products to the entire wellness-influencer pipeline, calling out supplements promoted with big claims and very little accountability:
“Basically any wellness influencer promoted ‘supplement’.”
For some, the issue goes beyond wasted money and into exploitation, especially when marketing targets people dealing with real health challenges:
“It’s awful, they’re very predatory as well against people with chronic illnesses. The uptick of these boosted posts in my feed since getting diagnosed with a chronic illness is insane. Something like 75% of the ads/boosted posts I see are now targeted at me saying they can cure me with this simple supplement or diet.”
Creatine gummies (aka a $1,000 mistake)
One reply stood out for its detail, and for reading like a full-on warning label.
A commenter said they bought creatine gummies every month for nearly two years before learning that many gummies don’t actually contain the amount of creatine they advertise:
“I used to buy creatine gummies for almost 2 years, every month. I watched a video where this guy tested a bunch of gummies on the market and almost all of them came back with either no creatine or less than 20% of what the dose was supposed to be. I was pissed! I spent probably $1000 on a product that was essentially nothing.”
After switching to powder, they said the difference was immediate, and they ended their comment with a message that resonated with thousands of people:
“DONT BUY CREATINE GUMMIES. BUY THE POWDER.”
DoorDash (with one big exception)
Food delivery apps were another frequent answer — not because people don’t understand the appeal, but because the cost can spiral quickly.
One person summed it up like this:
“Doordash. I’m baffled when I hear people that doordash multiple times a week, if not daily.”
Others agreed that regular use adds up fast, especially once fees, markups, and tips are factored in. Still, the thread wasn’t completely one-sided. A few people acknowledged that delivery can be genuinely helpful in specific situations:
“It’s a huge waste of money for regular usage, but an absolute godsend when I am sick and can’t leave the house to pickup.”
That balance, convenience versus cost, came up repeatedly.
Bottled water (where tap water is safe)
Another common answer targeted something people buy almost without thinking about it: bottled water.
Commenters pointed out that in places where tap water is already safe to drink, bottled water can be an unnecessary recurring expense, especially when reusable bottles or filters are far cheaper in the long run.
Beyond the cost, some people mentioned the environmental impact, arguing that paying extra for plastic bottles makes even less sense when alternatives are readily available.
Upgrading phones every year
Annual phone upgrades also made the list, with many commenters saying modern phones simply don’t change enough year to year to justify the cost.
Several people noted that devices now last three to five years easily, and that yearly upgrades feel driven more by marketing and social pressure than actual need, especially as prices continue to climb.
For many, it’s become a habit they’re actively trying to break.
Reddit awards (yes, really)
One answer managed to perfectly capture the spirit of the thread:
“Reddit awards.”
For anyone unfamiliar, Reddit awards are paid digital icons that users can buy and attach to posts or comments they like. They don’t provide any real-world benefit; they’re essentially a way to spend real money on a virtual badge.
Which made the follow-up even funnier:
“I love that this has awards.”
The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. People were literally spending money to reward a comment about wasting money, proving the point in real time.
The bigger takeaway
Taken together, the most upvoted answers weren’t really about “bad” products — they were about fatigue.
People are tired of paying premium prices for things that overpromise, quietly inflate costs, or solve problems that didn’t really exist in the first place. The thread tapped into a broader frustration with spending money on things that sound good in theory but don’t actually deliver.
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