Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.

Many of us are capable of carrying onward with profound levels of stubbornness when it comes to continuing to buy lousy products and/or stay signed on for seemingly purposeless subscriptions, simply because we’re so accustomed to our routines. 

The reality is though that there are far too many products available for purchase in this steadily inflating world that are not worth all the financial fuss. It could be that new Wi-Fi-enhanced printer that seems to have been on its own sabbatical since you picked it up from the store. Or maybe, it’s the simple yet wildly ineffective parts of various packaging where it states “tear here” and it will do anything but tear there. 

This AskReddit thread-inspired piece covers all those frustratingly low-performing products and more. 

But It Feels So Good.

Reddit screenshot about how Q-Tips can end up causing more damage than good.
Reddit

Using Q-Tips on your ears are one of those dangerously tempting activities that people to this day seem to find themselves divided on. There are plenty of folks that will passionately leap to the forefront of a heated Q-Tips debate to tell you that they are not at all good to use on your ears. Just as there are plenty of other folks that swear by just how good a proper Q-Tips cleaning feels, and almost seem ready to say, “so what, it’s worth it in the end.” 

So Basically, There’s Nothing Magical About Them.

Reddit

Unfortunately, there are far too many products available in this day and age that while they may claim to be all kinds of “magical”, are anything but that. In fact, they’re prone toward making one’s life that much more complicated. It sounds like when faced with the choice between a magical detangling brush and a simple wet brush, the wet brush is the way to go. 

Related: Bathroom Products That Are a Complete Waste of Money

Turns Out Our Bodies Are Already Pretty Good At The Whole Detox Thing.

Reddit screenshot about various ineffective detox products.
Reddit

Maybe blame the highly effective marketing campaigns that have sailed out from the world’s most cunning agencies that are on occasion terribly effective at misleading folks too busy or careless to check the wild claims accompanying miracle products. 

There are plenty of people that have placebo’ed themselves into an odds-defying state of bliss, but there are also too many folks that have forked over their hard-earned cheddar for detox drinks and other products that quite literally did nothing. 

Related: Stop Paying for These Things to Save Money Now

Why Do They Deceive Us So.

Reddit
If only they would tear as they claim they would. Life would be so much easier. Effortless, really.

It Really Shouldn’t Be Like This.

Reddit screenshot about how there are far too many faulty printers out there.
Reddit

With how rapidly technology continues to evolve, you’d think we’d have gotten ourselves to a comfortable point where we wouldn’t have to regularly deal with faulty printers. Alas, we should be so lucky. 

A Fancy Enough Word.

Reddit

Turns out normal candles can do the trick. Plus, there are so many more aromas to pick and choose from. 

Looking for more ways to save money? Sign up for our free newsletters.

After One Use Though.

Reddit

We’re all about supporting those products that bring with their reliable operating, the potential for the lifetime value seal of approval. So, when you tell us that there are folks out there that are falling prey to purported military-grade products that break after one use, you better believe we’re fired up. 

All That Unnecessary Spillage.

Reddit screenshot about unnecessary gas spillage from gas cans.
Reddit

Nobody likes having to deal with a spill that otherwise could’ve easily have been avoided. 

Tis The Season.

Reddit screenshot about how pumpkin carving kits are absolutely terrible.
Reddit

While there are some pumpkin carving kits that are available out there that aren’t absolutely horrendous and ready to break at a moment’s notice, there are far too many that literally just leave you wondering why you went and wasted your money in the first place. 

Related: The Definitive List of Things You Never Need to Buy

All That Razor Hype For No Good Reason.

Reddit screenshot about how cheap razors are actually effective.
Reddit

While a cheaper razor might take a little bit more finesse and attention, once you’ve overcome the learning curve, they are such a better economical option. 

Related: 7 Things Americans Waste Their Money On, According to Thrifty Redditors

Plus, They Don’t Even Work That Well Sometimes.

Reddit screenshot about how all-natural deodorants can be absolute nonsense.
Reddit

It could be the aggressive marketing and airy promises featured on various all-natural deodorants’ labeling, but the unfortunate news is that there are far too many fancy deodorants that simply do not do the trick. 

Now That Is Just Nonsense.

Reddit screenshot about a scuba tank that claimed to put oxygen into the water.
Reddit

Unfortunately, there are folks out there that will continue to fall for this. 

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent the last 8 or so odd years as both a writer and editor in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally rabid, pigeons. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a book and/or some friends, or just easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.