99 money mistakes? Can you really make that many? It seems possible! I quickly came up with a list of 40 things that cost me a lot of money over the years in just 15 minutes. So it’s likely that in a lifetime, we might actually make hundreds or even thousands of these money mistakes. Here are some examples:
Forgot to add funds to my current account when monthly payments were due.
Paid debit interest hoping to earn some meager credit interest.
Didn’t check if a check was genuine and the person walked away with my piano.
Bought tight jeans thinking I’d lose weight. Never did, and never wore the jeans.
Converted currencies too early fearing a rate drop. It actually went up.
Ignored the tiny fine print on my debit card regarding ATM withdrawals abroad.
Lost money that was in my jean’s pocket.
Left money in the pocket and washed the jeans.
Lost my entire purse.
Lost my whole bag.
Didn’t check seller reviews on eBay and bought from a bad seller.
Gave notice to leave a rental just three days before moving. Lost the deposit.
Bought way too much food for a party when guests only wanted drinks. Ended up throwing away a lot of food.
Forgot to turn off the heating before leaving for a holiday.
Lost my passport while on a holiday.
Didn’t check where the train was headed, got on the wrong one and had to pay a fine.
Drove 33 mph in a 30 mph zone. Got fined.
Returned a rental car two hours late.
Forgot my student ID when visiting a museum.
Packed poorly, resulting in a broken bottle of red wine in my backpack during flight.
Didn’t submit the insurance paperwork for a broken car window.
Bought food with a short shelf life and then left for a trip.
Didn’t use the company healthcare plan for travel shots.
Booked a hotel for the wrong dates.
Lent money to a friend who no longer talks to me.
Bought a property without researching the neighborhood.
Brought a carton of cigarettes to Singapore, which has no duty-free allowance. Paid the fine.
Didn’t claim insurance for a delayed flight.
Didn’t remind a family member to contribute to a gift as promised and ended up paying their share.
Bought plane tickets only for them to go on sale the next week.
Hid money in my socks, changed clothes, and lost it.
Forgot to bring my discount card to the supermarket.
Didn’t buy a big enough lock for my bicycle. Had to buy a new wheel.
And later, a whole new bicycle.
Forgot my computer at home, drove 100 miles to retrieve it, and then drove back.
Forgot my laptop charger on a business trip.
Left my international plug converter behind.
Locked myself out of my house.
Packed only a carry-on to avoid check-in fees and brought a Swiss army knife to the airport.
And some cheese, which counts as a liquid.
Most of these mistakes happened because I often overlook details. Trying to do things quickly, I end up making errors along the way. For instance, forgetting essential items or missing out on financial claims. I’m working on it, albeit slowly.
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WHAT IS YOUR WORST, DUMBEST, FUNNIEST, OR BIGGEST MONEY MISTAKE?