The in-laws are moving from NY to TX for retirement. Financially inept their entire lives, I'm getting to see more of their poor decisions as I assist in the process.
I'm attempting to sell their furniture and belongings through Craig's List - they aren't computer savvy at all. I suspected that my MIL had a wicked HSN habit, I just didn't realize how bad. This is a woman who has never made more than $38K/year, and blows well north of $400/mo just to take the express bus instead of the train to get to work, and then stop off at a cafe to have breakfast.
If Wolfgang Puck made it and sold it on HSN, she has it. I've listed the following items, all of which have seen little to no use: Food processor, Pressure Cooker, Rice Cooker, Panini Grill, Coffee Maker, Blender, and a Nutri Bullet. Seriously spent hundreds on each ""high end" item, b/c they are of good quality and will last, that's what she believes.
Outdoor equipment includes a pressure washer, a combo leaf blower/mulcher/vacuum, and a wet dry vac. Lives in an apartment, and the exterior is maintained by a gardner!
Even though they knew they were moving, they went ahead and bought a top of the line shredder a few months ago. Haven't used it yet (but took it out of the box so they can't return it), they are just stacking all the stuff they think they need to shred, but they are upset that they will sell it for a loss, since shipping such a heavy item probably doesn't make any sense. The idea of going to Wal-Mart and buying a $30 cheapie never crossed their minds.
Both MIL & FIL have flip phones (good), but pay close to $50/mo each for service (bad). I picked up two Republic Wireless Moto G's, lightly used off Ebay, and set up new accounts for them, with new local phone numbers. I shipped the phones to them, so they could get accustomed to the smart phones before the next payment on their flip phones comes due. (No contract, thankfully) While doing some training on the phone, I discovered that they pay for WiFi. They don't even have a computer, these phones are the closest thing to it. And it's not like they have a VOIP home phone or a combined TV/Phone/Internet package, where it might make sense to bundle on a service you don't use.
On and on it goes. Scary stuff. My co-worker suggested I set up their TV service and block all shopping channels. Never thought of it, but it sounds like a good idea!