People who downplay how much stuff really costs

[Anonymous]

Let's talk about examples where people downplay how much something costs.

"What do you mean you can't throw your child a birthday party? You can pull one together for less than $100, easy!"

I think they're rounding down. After food, paper materials, a random thing you need for an activity, a goody to take home, the cake, a few simple decorations, you're over $100...and you still don't have gifts for your kid.

or

"I just made this cool bench! I did it for $80!!" Never mind they already owned 75% of the supplies.

[Anonymous]

It's possible to spend more on a party, but not necessary. If I made a bench for $80 I'm not going to add a caveat that I already owned the hammer I used to make it.

I think you're fixating on something strange here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about examples where people downplay how much something costs.

"What do you mean you can't throw your child a birthday party? You can pull one together for less than $100, easy!"

I think they're rounding down. After food, paper materials, a random thing you need for an activity, a goody to take home, the cake, a few simple decorations, you're over $100...and you still don't have gifts for your kid.

or

"I just made this cool bench! I did it for $80!!" Never mind they already owned 75% of the supplies.

Made the cake, had a few cheese pizzas, lemonade
Used regular plates and cups
Had party at home.
Firehouse party: made our own pin the hose on the house on fire, had everyone go out bedroom window, made water balloons to put out fire, things like that
Got free stuff from police station and firehouse for goody bags.

[Anonymous]

These people usually just don't have to watch their pennies and don't really know.

[Anonymous]

People who can afford things do not discuss cost. They know how much it is, but are not focused on it.

[Anonymous]

You could do a party for way under $100. Make cupcakes. don’t even serve food other than a treat at the end. Kids can just play like a play date or have it at a park or have Gabe’s you already own or make charades, etc. if you want to add favors, add $2-$3 per kid or get each a $1 book. You’re total cost is $30.

But anyway who cares? You sound like a problem finder rather than a problem solver.

[Anonymous]

We just had our 3 year old's party for about $100 -- I didn't tally it up at the time so I don't have exact figures but: 4 large pizzas, watermelon, homemade cupcakes, a pack of paper plates and a roll of paper towels. We had it at a playground so no $ for "activities," and we definitely didn't buy party favors for the other 3 year olds. Everyone had fun, it was simple.

Obviously, if you're gonna rent a bounce house or feed the kids something fancy, it can get more expensive. I don't think my 3 year old knows the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could do a party for way under $100. Make cupcakes. don’t even serve food other than a treat at the end. Kids can just play like a play date or have it at a park or have Gabe’s you already own or make charades, etc. if you want to add favors, add $2-$3 per kid or get each a $1 book. You’re total cost is $30.

But anyway who cares? You sound like a problem finder rather than a problem solver.

You could do that. But usually people have to rent the park site for a couple hours, such as the picnic area. That’s about $30. Some parks require insurance, too. Factoring in the cost of cupcakes, etc. And we’d also need to know the number of guests. But as this thread shows, the human instinct to understate cost is strong. It’s like reverse bragging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just had our 3 year old's party for about $100 -- I didn't tally it up at the time so I don't have exact figures but: 4 large pizzas, watermelon, homemade cupcakes, a pack of paper plates and a roll of paper towels. We had it at a playground so no $ for "activities," and we definitely didn't buy party favors for the other 3 year olds. Everyone had fun, it was simple.

Obviously, if you're gonna rent a bounce house or feed the kids something fancy, it can get more expensive. I don't think my 3 year old knows the difference.

No utensils? Napkins? Tip for the pizza delivery person? Rental fee for the playground (which is usually legally required)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about examples where people downplay how much something costs.

"What do you mean you can't throw your child a birthday party? You can pull one together for less than $100, easy!"

I think they're rounding down. After food, paper materials, a random thing you need for an activity, a goody to take home, the cake, a few simple decorations, you're over $100...and you still don't have gifts for your kid.

or

"I just made this cool bench! I did it for $80!!" Never mind they already owned 75% of the supplies.

I think it’s because parents cringe at doing these monumentally dumb parties and try to play it off as no big deal.

[Anonymous]

A Costco half sheet cake is $20. $20 at Aldi for drinks and snacks.$25ish to make your own slime (also the party favor). Dollar store for plates/forks/cups, pool noodles, hula hoops, and other misc stuff to make a massive obstacle course, or treasure hunt (around $35).

You can easily have a party for under $100, if you plan it well, have space, and a lot of creativity.

[Anonymous]

These cake ‘n plate parties won’t cut it for five year olds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about examples where people downplay how much something costs.

"What do you mean you can't throw your child a birthday party? You can pull one together for less than $100, easy!"

I think they're rounding down. After food, paper materials, a random thing you need for an activity, a goody to take home, the cake, a few simple decorations, you're over $100...and you still don't have gifts for your kid.

or

"I just made this cool bench! I did it for $80!!" Never mind they already owned 75% of the supplies.

Maybe it really does cost that much. Yes, you can do a birthday part for under $100 if you do it at home, playground, etc. The gift for your child is not included in your birthday party as that is not part of the party. You can get decorations at Dollar Tree.

I buy a lot of clothing on clearance ahead so most people like you think I'm spending crazy amounts of money and I'm not and often buying it at 75% off, if not more.

We own power tools and DIY a lot so yes, it costs us less as its labor is free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had our 3 year old's party for about $100 -- I didn't tally it up at the time so I don't have exact figures but: 4 large pizzas, watermelon, homemade cupcakes, a pack of paper plates and a roll of paper towels. We had it at a playground so no $ for "activities," and we definitely didn't buy party favors for the other 3 year olds. Everyone had fun, it was simple.

Obviously, if you're gonna rent a bounce house or feed the kids something fancy, it can get more expensive. I don't think my 3 year old knows the difference.

No utensils? Napkins? Tip for the pizza delivery person? Rental fee for the playground (which is usually legally required)?

You can camp out all day at a playground for the site and its free. Pick up the pizza, dollar tree for utensils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's talk about examples where people downplay how much something costs.

"What do you mean you can't throw your child a birthday party? You can pull one together for less than $100, easy!"

I think they're rounding down. After food, paper materials, a random thing you need for an activity, a goody to take home, the cake, a few simple decorations, you're over $100...and you still don't have gifts for your kid.

or

"I just made this cool bench! I did it for $80!!" Never mind they already owned 75% of the supplies.

Made the cake, had a few cheese pizzas, lemonade
Used regular plates and cups
Had party at home.
Firehouse party: made our own pin the hose on the house on fire, had everyone go out bedroom window, made water balloons to put out fire, things like that
Got free stuff from police station and firehouse for goody bags.

So basically I helped fund your party with my tax dollars.