Consumer debt in the United States hit a record high of $14.1 trillion last year, according to Experian, led by rises in almost every category, from student loans to credit cards. And while plenty of people are in the red simply because they’re trying to make ends meet, that’s not always the case. Personal loan comparison site Loanry surveyed more than 5,000 brokers and bankers to find out the strangest reasons they’ve been asked for a loan. Here are 20 of the biggest head-scratchers.
Related: 30 Money Mistakes You’re Probably Making and How to Avoid Them
To Buy a Tiger
Hey, why should Joe Exotic have all the fun? You may even get your own Netflix show out of it.
Related: The Most Wasteful Purchases by 25 Now-Broke Celebrities
To Have a Chance to Hold and Smell $10,000
Anyone who grew up watching Scrooge McDuck swim in piles of gold coins understands this on a visceral level. We’ll allow it.
Related: Why Pennies Still Exist and Other Money Trivia
To Become a Taxidermist
To be fair, if your kids love stuffed animals, this might save you some cash in the long run.
To Build a Nuclear Fallout Shelter
Right now, nuclear warfare is honestly the least of our worries, but you do you.
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To Buy a Vintage Arcade Machine
Hey, all those quarters add up. Consider it an investment.
Related: 11 Classic Pinball Games That You’ll Flip Over
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To Get Plastic Surgery to Look Like Kris Jenner
Really? Of all the Kardashians you could have chosen, this is the one?
Related: 10 Easy Ways to Keep Up With the Kardashians for Less
To Eat at Every Applebee’s in the Country
We’ll raise our Dollarita in salute. That’s … a whole lot of mozzarella sticks.
To Follow David Hasselhoff on his European Tour
He might be a washed-up TV star in America, but Germany still treats David Hasselhoff like the absolute rock legend that he truly is.
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To Disappear
After all, thousands of dollars can buy a lot of trench coats and glasses with noses and fuzzy eyebrows.
To Pay a Celebrity to Witness the Birth of Their Child
No word on who the lucky celebrity was, but we’d totally shell out for Keanu Reeves. Most excellent!
To Recreate the Red Wedding from ‘Game of Thrones’
Because nothing says “happily ever after” like basing your own nuptials on a horrifically bloody massacre.
Related: 26 Stunning ‘Game of Thrones’ Filming Locations Worth Visiting
To Fly Dates Around on a Private Jet
Honestly, you can just buy us dinner and maybe hold the door once in a while. It’s a lot cheaper.
To Install a Personal Water Slide
To be fair, no one really wants to splash down in a pool of COVID stew right now.
To Fund a Bachelor Party in Sin City
A bachelor party in Vegas? Super creative.
Related: 36 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Las Vegas
To Buy True Crime Memorabilia
Apparently there is a real, thriving market for this stuff. You, too, could own a letter from the Unabomber or a lock of Charles Manson’s hair. Shudder.
To Cover Up an Affair
Sorry, but we have it on good authority from the Eagles: There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes.
To Get a Beard Hair Transplant
Because no-shave November is fast approaching.
To Buy a Diamond Grill for their Mouth
Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.
To Build a Working Catapult
Hey, here’s one pandemic-proof way to borrow sugar from your neighbor. Now, eggs on the other hand …
To Build a Statue of a Loved One
Step aside, Venus de Milo. It’s time for Meemaw to have her moment in the sun.
