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They say money can't buy you happiness but it can buy you new teeth. Or therapy. Or a few members of Congress. And if these things don't make you smile, I don't know what does.

A few weeks ago, Redditor u/TheDeathSummoner posted a question: "What would you like to buy for yourself, but can't afford it?" Other users immediately started replying, listing all the things they wish they could invest in.

The honest answers paint a vivid picture of what's important to people and honestly, it's sad to see that so many folks lack basic necessities. They do, however, remind us to stay humble and respect each other as everyone is fighting their own battle.

#1

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It I’m homeless and have been living in a shuttle bus for a year so my prospective might be not be as exciting as others. I’d like to buy shelter. A home or a condo would be great but even an acre of land where I could build a small home. Just some place to call home.

kimk333 , Brina Blum Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I had money to help. I mean realy make a difference. I'll buy a ticket for the lottery tomorrow and hope!

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#2

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It My babies.

Chemo made me infertile at 34 before I had the chance to have a baby.

I have 12 embryos in a testube. Can't afford to use them.

TNBCisAB*tch , Marcin Jozwiak Report

The cost of living is notoriously high in the US but it varies by state. Last year, GoBankingRates determined the necessary living wage in each one using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. This popular general budgeting principle allocates 50% of annual income to necessities like housing, 30% to discretionary expenses like travel, and the remaining 20% to savings.

The median necessary living wage across the entire US was $67,690. The state with the lowest annual living wage turned out to be Mississippi, with $58,321. The state with the highest living wage was Hawaii, with $136,437. Other expensive states (surprise surprise) included New York and California, which have notoriously high costs of living and expensive housing markets.

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#3

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A future where I can live comfortably. Not rich. Just not having to choose between paying all of rent and electricity or food

Ninjabonez86 , Louis Hansel Report

#4

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It Therapy

Twix925 , christopher lemercier Report

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Scarface's Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you wanna talk, I'll talk with you. I'm serious. Maybe we could help each other out with a little listening. Not enough people listen when people talk. I have no one to hear me when I have something to say. I am a listener and would like to have someone hear me when I do talk. It's hard. People wonder why I was always so quiet. This is why.

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u/TheDeathSummoner said they came up with the idea for this post out of curiosity. "I took a second job earlier this year to be able to buy extra things besides necessities for my family, so I just wanted to see what other people want but can't afford," the Redditor told Bored Panda.

All the replies made u/TheDeathSummoner really grateful for what they do already have. "They made me realize that I currently own the majority of things that are on people's minds, like a house, health insurance, a car, a PC, etc. I'm blessed."

The Redditor said they don't know if money can make you content. "It does, however, relieve a great amount of stress that casts a shadow over your life," they added.

#5

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It New teeth.

It's like....thousands and thousands of dollars to get dental implants. Or anything not dentures. It sucks.

Juicebox-shakur , Marek Studzinski Report

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Sapna Sarfare
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

India thrives on medical tourism. We get quite a few patients from countries like USA because they cannot afford the treatment in their country.

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#6

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A mountain cottage deep in the wilderness. With endless views, forests on its doorstep and a stream nearby. No neighbours for miles, plenty of wildlife and a massive fireplace that is on permanently when the snows arrive.

GandalfTheGrumpy , Aude Lozano Report

#7

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It Healthcare

SoonToBeFree420 , National Cancer Institute Report

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Bob Rock
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the UK, free health care, no its not perfect, but for example I broke my arm a few years ago, fixed for free Inc overnight hospital stay, oh and full sick pay for 3 months

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#8

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It I would love to be out of debt. It would only take 35k

Seriously I would love that more than any single item

Damien__ , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

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Kristal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My debt would be a lot more cause of student loans but yeah, I agree

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#10

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A really good, actually water-resistant raincoat and/or a pair of rain trousers.

For context, I live in the Netherlands where it rains for maybe 3/4 of the year (this is how it feels,anyway) and as I’m on a bike for much of that, a good raincoat or other rain gear is necessary. But the good ones are pretty expensive so I just end up buying the cheap ones, which wear and tear pretty quick, so I guess in the long run I’m spending more money but I can’t avoid it. It’s like the Vime’s Boots theory but with rain gear.

Buntingmadness , Vidar Nordli-Mathisen Report

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Dina Simoné
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to think about Vimes while reading this, and at the end you mention it yourself!

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Corina Alvarez Loeblich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

right? Yet, Vime's cheap boots were useful for him, and a lousy rain gear will only get you wet and probably sick in a bad, cold day

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Dave van Es
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get a cheaper one, spray it with waterresistant spray from Kruidvat, and save for a better one

samchilton avatar
Sam Chilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, exactly! Just don't spray anything else or breathe in the gas 🤮

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More!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get a pair of second hand Dry Rider motorcycle pants. God Bless Vimes (and Sybil)

andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so sorry. The netherlands is a wonderful country but it has deteriorated a lot due to capitalism. Now if you are poor its really difficult to get by.

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
2 years ago

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If your too poor to get a rain coat from Decathlon or HEMA, you might just want to sell you iPhone 12 and pay someone to think for you.

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Sam Chilton
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know the feeling, I cycle in Flanders. Manage to get by with work trousers (like construction) and spray them with water resistant aerosol. I don't like aerosol but it's better than shelling out lots of money to not be soaking wet. Waterproof jackets are easier to come by. I have more issue getting hit by cars than the weather!

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Slick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who gets almost 3000mm of rain annually (native to borneo), i approve of this wish.

vmthill avatar
Vicki Thill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too bad you couldn't put your name and address on here so we could all do this for you. It would be a fun story to read about. I'd totally send you the best that I've ever used. You'd end up with the best of the best from around the world. It'd be fun.

nfrlprdpr avatar
Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you thought about contacting companies which make quality gear and asking if they will sell you an irregular or returned set? Worth a shot, worst thing they can say is no! Good luck

neilbidle avatar
Devil's Advocate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buy a dizabone coat, even second hand they're absolutely waterproof. Not much works trouser wise though, especially on a bike :/

pixie420 avatar
J. Normal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The really sad part is that it is VERY expensive to be poor. You will end up spending 10x the amount of money on the cheap crap, but if you want to eat - you can not afford the initial down payment on quality.

samchilton avatar
Sam Chilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only that, the places you rent are very inefficient and you lose a lot through heat etc.

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Sunshine Sunshine
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Rissie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's more than enough rain gear that's just fine for a normal price. And the weather is not that bad. If you can afford to live a normal live, you can set aside ten euro's a month and get your pricey gear too. This sounds like someone who just wanted to bring up the story of the boots.

ifyasaiso avatar
Marianne Saiso
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree. Yes the cheaper stuff is 'fine', it does its job more or less. But a high-quality breathable rain pant is high on my list of splurges if I could afford it as well.

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago

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Nonsense, the Dutch Meteorologic Institute has calculated, based on data from over 100 years, that on average the Netherlands has 22 wet days per year. Other sources have calculated that it rains only 7% of the time in the Netherlands. Rain gear that will last a lifetime is very affordable. The best raincoat and trousers you can get cost €100. It has been tested very good by a Dutch organisation for cyclists. https://www.anwb.nl/eropuit/test/regenpakken-2018

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Rhea
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nonsense is a rather harsch word to use here: (A) What defines as a 'wet day'? In 2020 >1mm rain/snow/hail was registered at 'De Bilt' on 139 different days. https://www.clo.nl/indicatoren/nl0004-meteorologische-gegevens-in--nederland (B) 'Affordable' is all about perspective: €100 can feel like very much or very little, depending on someones situation.

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#11

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It Operation for my eyes…

I can’t drive and I’m 28…, no one knows but I hate it so much…

The hardest part is to look for a job if you have really bad eyes…

And glasses don’t work well.

I have 60% with my glasses

Life sucks sometimes but we have people that have bigger problems so…

DoeS-Okarin , Hush Naidoo Jade Photography Report

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suffering is not a competition :) your problems are valid. It is good to remember that others are worse to stay humble but your problems are valid too :) too many people tries to inbalidate others feelings with that excuse

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#12

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It Looking on zillow and seeing housing that's considered safe, clean, and in a good area starts at 500k and that's just depressing.

maraca101 , Phil Hearing Report

#13

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It I wouldn't mind owning some members of Congress. Get some laws passed that I want.

PianoManGidley , Joakim Honkasalo Report

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be expensive, but big companies have shown that it's possible.

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#15

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A month-long all expenses paid trip to Scandinavia to chase the Northern Lights

mindmypalace , Johny Goerend Report

#16

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It An island to live out the remainder of days on. Strolling up and down the beach, sleeping under coconut trees in a hammock, fishing, swimming and generally living a quiet and peaceful life to the end!

Flashy_Concern_4676 , Corinne Kutz Report

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#17

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A breast reduction.

DirectGoose , hans Report

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a meme or something the other day that said "Wouldn't it be great if the the women that wanted a reduction could send boob to women that wanted an enlargement. Kinda like Venmo or Paypal for titties. And going along with the theme of this article, I'd buy a cure for cancer so all the newly reduced or enlarged ta ta's would be safe and secure on their chests.

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#18

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A place to live. A vehicle. Real privacy. The capacity to make enough money to take a week off ever. Insurance. I know it seems like I am young based off the lack of things. I live on my own, and have for a number of years. I will be married soon. Trying to make a living wage is very difficult.

Omen224 , Emil Kalibradov Report

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Lovin' Life
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best wishes for your marriage and you will get all of these things. Just work hard and keep your priorities in line.

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#19

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A college degree in the United States. Still paying back student loans from 1996.

sunnykarma , Caleb Woods Report

#20

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A house

crydiebaby , Luke Stackpoole Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who wouldn't? It's just outrageous that young people can't buy a house because they are either too expensive or just aren't there. In the Netherlands people are paying exorbitant prices for terraced houses that do not stand out in anything, except for the fact that they are for sale. In Amsterdam people pay €1 million for a house that would have costed them less than €250 000 10 years ago.

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#21

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It An early retirement.

KryptonianDemon , Oxana Melis Report

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Abbey Impson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't even need early retirement; I just want to know I don't have work until the day I die

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#22

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It Always wanted to buy my nans house and my house and make them into 1 (we live next door) but if i won the lottery id buy the street"

SH1TKID-DOOSH , Rowan Heuvel Report

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#23

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It Braces

burnedchildhood , Atikah Akhtar Report

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Pille P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I constantly see ads for stuff like invisalign - some 30 € a month. Are braces (in US I guess) really so expensive?

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#24

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A Sprinter van that’s been converted into an RV. I would take that thing camping everywhere.

GraboidFarmer , Drew Bernard Report

#25

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It Ticket to Space it’s gettin weird down here

Dane_Juros , NASA Report

#26

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A good office chair. The one I have at my home desk now kills my back, but the good ones are all too much for a student like me.

KillerFerrets , Kelly Sikkema Report

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I imagine that you arent in Belgium. But if you are (or nederlands) we have a spare chair. Its old but very comfy

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#27

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A hot tub. I’ve got a number of health issues and sitting in the hot water is extremely helpful. I know there are super cheap ones that are inflatable and for like one person, but my dad had one of those and got an electric shock touching the water after having it only a few months, so now I’m afraid of the real cheap ones.

Smuldering , Keyler Oliveira Report

#28

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It An air conditioner.

[deleted] , Carlos Lindner Report

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AnnaBanana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have aircon for the first time in my life - I felt like a brand new person last summer! Where I live in Australia, it regularly gets over 40c in summer.

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#30

30 Things People Would Buy If They Had The Money For It A car. A farm. Some animals to keep me company. And a fancy water colouring set. Oh and my dream wardrobe

occasional_octopus , Oli Woodman Report

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