Unsplash | Lindsey LaMont

15 Things In Our Life That Are Kind Of Scams

There's a lot of mistakes we make in life that we wish we could turn back time and take back. At first, we think they might be good choices and good ideas until we find out we're paying for more than we're getting and it's a total scam all along.

So many times in our life we'll get caught up in scams—or things that are like scams—so look out for them.

Instagram ads.

Unsplash | Solen Feyissa

anonymous_douche shared that Instagram ads are always there to show you things you want, using the algorithm, and they'll tell you it's a "total sale."

Turns out, you can find many of the same things on Amazon for 95% less money. Rip off!

Meal planning companies.

Unsplash | Ella Olsson

"Workout/meal plan apps that you have to pay for. All of their workouts and meal recipes are googable and extremely generic. There’s no face time between you and the app people so there’s no individuality in it. I don’t get how people fall for it at all," said farrahmad.

Buying college textbooks.

Unsplash | freestocks

mr_ribzeater pointed out that college textbooks are always overpriced, but professors insist that you need the newest one.

On top of this, others pointed out many professors make you buy ones that they wrote.

Funerals.

Unsplash | Rhodi Lopez

"Poor families get robbed of so much money just to put on a "respectful" funeral, and because they're grieving, it's seriously kicking them while they're down. You don't need to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to have grandma embalmed, made-up with corpse makeup, put in a casket worth an arm and a leg, and lowered into a hole filled with roses, to be topped with an ornate expensive headstone," said bourbon_legends.

Transaction fees.

Unsplash | Pickawood

Whenever you order a digital product online, many times there are transaction and processing fees. Like, for example, tickets to shows and concerts.

Plus, you have to print the tickets by yourself, instead of picking them up. So, charging extra is a total scam.

Paying extra for priority boarding.

Unsplash | Iwan Shimko

"Priority boarding for airlines. Personally, if I paid extra I would want to be the last person on the plane. I sit down, we go. I wouldn't pay extra to make my plane time longer by 30 mins just to have 100 people bump into me as they board," said mr_ribzeater.

High school rings.

Unsplash | Amanda Mocci

Tennisdude111 said that high school rings are the one thing that they consider a scam, because what are they going to do with that ring? Wear it? When they're an adult?

Being caught wearing a high school ring, to me, seems a bit insane.

Change.org petitions.

Unsplash | Ross Findon

"Would you like to donate/spread the word? Would you like to sign up for email notifications? Would you like to submit your own petition? Would you like to tell your friends? Would you like to visit our advertisers? Are you sure you wouldn't like to donate," said Galausia.

Gender-specific things.

Unsplash | Brett Jordan

"Any kind of over the counter pill, vitamin, cream or personal cleansing product that is usually unisex but claims that this particular one is for men or women only. It's the same razor model but in a different color, Gillette. I'm onto your shit," wrote strangelove77.

Hotels that charge for WiFi.

Unsplash | Marten Bjork

"Hotels charging for WiFi. Also flights.

You’re telling me I can get free WiFi from libraries, coffee shops, the dentist, and the bus. But I can’t get WiFi included with this $189/night room? If I spend more than $2 I want free WiFi," said boydcrowdersteeths.

Snack prices at the movie theater.

Unsplash | Krists Luhaers

Yehkum reminded us all that you can truly make popcorn at home for $2.99 (for a box of three bags) instead of spending upwards of $10 for a small popcorn at the movie theater. Snacks and drinks at the cinema are so overpriced.

Organic produce.

Unsplash | Brad Stallcup

"I grew up on an orchard, so I know that it’s actually pretty easy to follow organic standards. Contrary to popular belief, organic does not mean no sprays, it just means that the sprays you used were on a very long list of approved sprays. (In the US anyway. I can’t speak for other countries)," wrote DootDootBlorp.

Bottled water.

Unsplash | Steve Johnson

"Bottled water. My mom constantly buys it for the convenience and always asks me if I want some, but I constantly tell her I'm not going to pay for something I can get for free. And I refuse to have her buy into it for my sake either," wrote justalittleparanoia.

American colleges.

Unsplash | Michael Marsh

"College in America, it's absolutely absurd that they can hold your transcripts hostage, charge 600 dollars a year for a 'parking pass' require that the first year be spent on campus, rotate out a 500 dollars text book every single semester (that was written by your professor), and basically can find any other way to outrageously over charge students while promoting predatory lending and saying they're "not for profit," said logicalbomb.

Donating to a charity at the stores.

Unsplash | Katt Yukawa

"When a company asks at the register, “Will you round up to the dollar for xyz charity?”

You think you’re being honorable but these companies are just taking your money and representing that THEY are the ones giving it for a tax break. It’s a total scam. If those companies want a tax break they can donate. Screw off. I donate on my own and in my own way," said mathaiser.

h/t Reddit