Help me break DH’s “sunk cost” mindset

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not just let him posted at the price he thinks?

because OP didn't spell it out, but it's pretty obvious that her DH is framing it as something he needs Right Now-- before he sells the previous frivolous thing. if she lets him acquire the next frivolous item from their savings the reality is that she will be out both hard money and space permanently.

[Anonymous]

Charge rent for everything taking up space in your house. Anything not worth the rent needs to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm struggling to figure out what this scenario has to do with sunk costs.

+1

In the future, OP, please stick to using terms whose meaning you actually know.

[Anonymous]

My takeaway from this post is that OP likes to use terms she doesn't actually understand.

OP, would you like me to explain what "sunk cost" actually means?

[Anonymous]

It is harder to get tax write offs now, with more people falling under the standard deduction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm struggling to figure out what this scenario has to do with sunk costs.

+1

In the future, OP, please stick to using terms whose meaning you actually know.

The stuff isn’t worth what he thinks it’s worth, so he won’t get rid of it. I thought that’s what it was? Am I wrong?

Like if I bought a dresser for $1000 and I no longer need it, but won’t part with it because the most I can get is $100 today, but I paid $1000 for it years ago, so it has to be worth more!

I apologize, I thought that was sunk cost! What’s the term I’m looking for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm struggling to figure out what this scenario has to do with sunk costs.

+1

In the future, OP, please stick to using terms whose meaning you actually know.

The stuff isn’t worth what he thinks it’s worth, so he won’t get rid of it. I thought that’s what it was? Am I wrong?

Like if I bought a dresser for $1000 and I no longer need it, but won’t part with it because the most I can get is $100 today, but I paid $1000 for it years ago, so it has to be worth more!

I apologize, I thought that was sunk cost! What’s the term I’m looking for?

That’s sunk cost fallacy

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why you're trying to micromanage how your DH finances his new "want" item. You don't have family budget for it, period. If he can sell stuff to pay for it, great - let him figure out the details. If he's not successful selling it, he doesn't get to buy the new thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Charge rent for everything taking up space in your house. Anything not worth the rent needs to go.

I am guessing that it's his house also.

What an absurd suggestion.

[Anonymous]

My opinion is your DH (and mine too) are lazy about this stuff. He doesn’t feel like posting his toys that he doesn’t use, answering messages and haggling over the price. Is he actually willing to sell the unused man toys?

[Anonymous]

You don't need to get him to agree with you, you just need to get him to agree that he doesn't buy the new thing until he sells the old stuff to pay for it. If he wants to price it cheap and get the new thing soon, fine! If he wants to spend a long time to try to get the best price and so he has to wait to get the new thing, also fine! If he tries to sell it for more and eventually decides you were right and drops the price, that's fine too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm struggling to figure out what this scenario has to do with sunk costs.

+1

In the future, OP, please stick to using terms whose meaning you actually know.

Op is using the term correctly. Maybe you should stop posting snarky comments.

[Anonymous]

Have him sell the old thing first and then he can buy the new thing.
There are lot of people, men and women, buying dumbest stuff. My ex bought samurai swords from China. They collect dust somewhere in his house. Would be less of a big deal if he ever worked.

[Anonymous]

Everyone is jumping down OP's throat, but the crux of the situation is how much her DH is pushing for the new toy that is not in the budget. I agree with PPs that OP's response should be "We do not have money for that toy, but if you want to sell some of your other stuff to pay for it, that's fine." And then leave it up to him to choose what he wants to do.

But if he whines or sulks about that, it moves to the relationship forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My opinion is your DH (and mine too) are lazy about this stuff. He doesn’t feel like posting his toys that he doesn’t use, answering messages and haggling over the price. Is he actually willing to sell the unused man toys?

+1 on DH. Mine would rather let stuff literally rot unused at our house than sell or donate to someone who would actually use it - with the added benefit that we would have that space free for things we do use. WHY??