Don’t drink Starbucks coffee! Eating out is wasting money, just cook at home instead! This couple in Nebraska hasn’t been to the movies in 30 years and they saved over $4,000!

You’ve heard this before. It’s the mainstream advice on getting rich. Even millionaires and billionaires love to tout this wisdom. Here’s an article where Kevin O’Leary advises you to not drink artisan coffee, and invest 10% of your paycheck. Do this and you could be rich, like the Shark Tank superstar! Just be sure to build a software company and start an investment firm somewhere in there too.

Today’s article throws this common sense advice out the window, to discuss a topic that’s certainly not for everyone: how to make money by wasting money.

Enter Show Of Force Marketing

(Why Does The US Military Send All Their Warships Up To The Enemy’s Coast? Because It Sends A Message)

A good rule of thumb is that you never want to be in the middle of anything. Poor people (in America at least) get all kinds of freebies and benefits. Rich people have an army of lawyers and accountants to help them maximize their money. Middle class people? They foot the bill for everything.

Same goes for buying things. The cheapest, least expensive items save money (and often provide better value than a middle of the road choice). The most expensive buy status or attract attention. Everything in between?

Well, it’s usually worthless.

Here’s an example.

Last week I went out to eat at Five Guys. It’s fast food. Yet a burger, shake, and fries costs $20+. There’s no reason for this, you could cook at home for a fraction of the price (low-end). Or go out for a nice pre-fixed French lunch at Café Boulud for $40. That’s more expensive, but you’re getting a whole different quality of meal, and you’re surrounded by a completely different crowd of patrons.

What about going on a date?

Would you rather go to Starbucks, or spend $10 more to drink artisan tea out of Givenchy china?

Sometimes the better,impressive option isn’t even that much more expensive.

Likewise, many people actually make their money back on big, wasteful purchases.

I had lunch with my uncle recently, and he claims his all-time best investment was a nice boat (and good marina). Why? Because it let him meet tons of other successful people. Having that boat took him to the Super Bowl eight times (free of charge, he knew the team owner) and netted countless business deals.

Having a boat nets other perks too, you can host your company party there. Or take top performing salesmen out for lunch on it.

It’s exotic, attention grabbing, and a conversation piece.

Wasting money is when you get nothing back from your purchase. Investing wisely happens when you buy something which pays for itself and then some.

How To Make Money By Wasting Money

Not everyone is buying a boat or Rolls-Royce. Realistically, you need some level of financial achievement to purchase these items anyway. The guys who lease the cheapest BMW, or wear a base model Panerai aren’t fooling anyone but themselves. And it’s really never smart to go into consumer debt for status. That said, there are plenty of other ways you can make a statement.

I’ll give you a tangible example.

I decided to get serious about investing last year. So I set aside $10,000 at the start of the year and used that as my “nest egg.” Rather than dollar cost average it over time, I deposited the whole lump sum into my Robinhood account, took a screenshot, and then wrote up an article (with affiliate links) about it.

Why?

Because seeing a whole $10,000 deposit at one time is more emotionally exciting than seeing that same amount of money spread out over several months.

If you say “I’ve invested $2,500 a month over the past 10 months,” the total sum is going over most people’s heads. Declare you’ve deposited $10,000 (a smaller amount) and it seems much more exciting and attention grabbing.

That’s one little example, but here are some others too:

• If you do business or exchange money with someone, buy them a one-time expensive item.

If I give you a $2,000 gift, and you reciprocate with $5,000 over the next few years, I’ve actually made money on the transaction.

• Stay at nicer hotels, or go someplace successful people hang out.

I once helped the staff bring in some boxes at a place I was staying. Not only did the owner thank me, but he had me house-sit his five-story beachfront villa while him and his wife were on vacation. I also wrote the sales letters for his friend’s nonprofit.

• Doing a location-specific task? Send gifts to the neighbors.

When my Dad had a construction company, him and my Mom would send chocolates and cards to all the surrounding houses. I’m sure some business guru would proclaim they were wasting money that way, but it usually netted at least one or two additional jobs.

• Give exotic gifts.

What do most men get for their birthday? A tie, a wallet, a book, something else that’s boring and safe? If you have male relatives, friends, or associates, get them a blowgun or crossbow, or knives. Or get them something they hate, and dress it up like a gag. I strongly considered buying several people tickets to a Hilary Clinton speech, and gift wrapping them alongside a box of tomatoes. Whatever you do, do something where you’re going to stand out and be memorable.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the ultimate piece of marketing advice and probably one of the only tips you’ll ever need to know: Don’t be boring.

Capture people’s attention, and you’ll always enjoy a healthy ROI on whatever you’re doing.

You’re only wasting money if there’s no benefit to what you buy.