MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should super-rich Aristotle still buy bargain bin food?

Zygorf_2 · 20 June 2007 at 3:04PM

I think he should buy it as long as he is going to use it. The shop reduce stock generally because it is going out of date. If he doesn't buy it and use it then maybe no one else will meaning that it just goes to waste.

mikesussex · 20 June 2007 at 3:31PM

No, he should get a life and not bother with small money-saving offers. There is so much to do out there if you have money, so why not enjoy it. He could also do some good for others along the way when the opportunity arises.

bob4jane · 20 June 2007 at 5:47PM

Pounds and pennies saved can go towards his very generous charity donations! Don't pump money into the corporate supermarkets!
***
If our matey buys discount milk for a year, then gives the funds he saved to oxfam, they'll give the people a cow, and they can feed themselves and their families on milk and other dairy products.

~*Plushroom*~ · 20 June 2007 at 7:02PM

MSE_Lawrence wrote: »

Aristotle O'Plenty has always been a MoneySaver. Yet recently he's come into his family inheritance worth billions of pounds. When off to his local supermarket, he's one of many grabbing at the bargain bin yellow discount ticket section as usual; but realises he can afford to pay the full price, whilst for many of those there this is a lifeline, and there's only limited product. Should he back off and leave it to others, or should he stick to his MoneySaving principles? Should Aristotle back off the bargain bin?

Honestly? If I were in his fortunate situation I'd probably still buy the occassional reduced item, but it wouldn't be nearly as much as I do now with very little money.

But then that's me, I've had to rely on reduced food at times just to be able to eat so if I came into that sort of money I'd use that less in case someone in my situation needed it. I'd feel bad if I didn't.

Plus to be fair if I had the money I'd prefer to be able to buy things with a longer shelf life. Saying that I'd also be donating much more to charities and such if I was that lucky.

Errata · 20 June 2007 at 7:50PM

Intelligent billionaires would seek advice from their cook.

jonthedog · 20 June 2007 at 8:49PM

If the guy is a multi billionaire then he must be making roughly £1/4million per day in interest alone...his wealth is increasing by at least £3 for every second there is in the day (assuming he pays as little tax as other multi-billionaires). He does not have to worry about saving money on shopping and it is not worth his time to do so. The only reason he would have to do this is for the cheap thrill (very, in his case) of getting a bargain. Whilst I can empathise with this, for Aristotle it is unequivocally selfish behaviour to deny others in greater need. I find it amazing how many correspondents think that this isn't a personal moral issue just because 'the bargains are there for everyone'.
The argument that one earlier respondent put that buying the item at full price effectively took it out of the bargain bin as well is a flawed one. Supermarkets will always over order on some products; if there is greater demand they will simply order more next time, so amount of product in the bargain bin will always average out. Obviously if you are buying it at full price the day before it is reduced there will be less of that item to reduce, but if I'm going to buy an item at full price, I would always look for the freshest example, not the one that's about to hit the sell-by.

josephm4 · 20 June 2007 at 10:13PM

After looking at the ? I immediately thought NO and read through the responses. I was surprised to see that the majority felt that it was ok. Yes I agree in the fact that reduced products are there for the taking, however if indeed Aristotle is a billionaire and a member of MSE then he wouldn't need the reduced items. (Only a fool could wipe out billions!) In addition, yes this food is eligible for human consumption however quality would be a higher priority for myself and as a MSE I would certainly find the quality elsewhere at a reasonable price. Sorry for the length

matty_c608 · 20 June 2007 at 10:48PM

Had it said 10's of thousands in inheritance, it might be a more difficult thing to choose.

Billions? Remember how much that is!!!!! Millions and millions!!

If someone would benefit (a poor man having extra cash to spare lets say) then i'd leave it and buy the full priced goods! Else i'd take the reduced goods, as it'd be binned end of day anyway!

davtom · 21 June 2007 at 12:05AM

Some people on here that seem to be of the opinion that somebody who is rich should automatically pay more for their products than somebody who is poor. I probably fall into a middle category - a decent amount in savings but not hugely rich. I do use supermarkets and I do buy from the bargain basement bins when I see something I want, however there is no way I would likely be any different if I was a millionaire. Being careful with the pennies is partly why I have some savings. There's no reason to start being foolish with money just because you suddenly have a lot of it!

I imagine I would contribute to charities more if I was a millionaire, though.

seven-day-weekend · 21 June 2007 at 2:02AM

I think providing he is buying items he needs and will use - yes, buy the bargains.

I think it is immoral to waste money just because you can.

He could also give more to charity - that isn't wasting money. Buying stuff at expensive prices when you can get it cheaper is.

MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should super-rich Aristotle still buy bargain bin food?

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free