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> $400 investment Why is this word used to describe "pure financial loss" so often when talking about purchased luxury goods? > Investment: the outlay of mone

by nomel 2y ago

> $400 investment Why is this word used to describe "pure financial loss" so often when talking about purchased luxury goods? > Investment: the outlay of money usually for income or profit

crdrost 2y ago
Because the implication is that there is non-monetary profit. The person is describing it not as a loss but as an investment, because it was an investment in themselves and their ability to sleep at night and an investment in their child feeling safe and whatever other impossible-to-directly-price externalities were realized as a result of the monetary loss.
- nomel 2y ago
  I suppose the problem is that there isn't a good word for this concept. I just find it interesting that, in my experience, this is only used in relation to luxury goods.
  - NoboruWataya 2y ago
    > in my experience, this is only used in relation to luxury goods. Not really. You can also "invest" in personal relationships, for example, which implies neither a financial outlay nor an expectation of financial return. When used in the context of purchasing consumer goods, I think it is most often used in the context of goods which are expensive (the financial outlay) and durable (ie, capable of providing enjoyment--analogous to profit--for a long time into the future). And of course those goods are more likely to be considered "luxury" goods.
    - nomel 2y ago
      In the case of a relationship, maybe it could be argued that you are profiting, in the currency being used: you get more positive interactions out than you put in. ;)
  - digging 2y ago
    > this is only used in relation to luxury goods. It isn't. People say it in regards to quality goods of all kinds - shoes, mattresses, food.
sandspar 2y ago
Investment in x% higher likelihood of your child's safety.
winwang 2y ago
Because the value the item brought you was worth more than the money you exchanged for it. My Bose QC35s were one of the best investments I've ever made, lasting many years and very many loud plane rides. Or would you consider groceries a "pure financial loss" as well?
- nomel 2y ago
  > Or would you consider groceries a "pure financial loss" as well? Being healthy results in me being able to make more money, so it literally is an investment. Investing in a luxury purse or basinet has no concept of profit, but can happily result in high value. Profit and value (or satisfaction) are not the same.
fkyoureadthedoc 2y ago
So goofy that you asked this with the "usually" right there in your own quote.
richardmuhn 2y ago
[flagged]

by nomel 2y ago

> $400 investment Why is this word used to describe "pure financial loss" so often when talking about purchased luxury goods? > Investment: the outlay of money usually for income or profit

crdrost 2y ago

Because the implication is that there is non-monetary profit. The person is describing it not as a loss but as an investment, because it was an investment in themselves and their ability to sleep at night and an investment in their child feeling safe and whatever other impossible-to-directly-price externalities were realized as a result of the monetary loss.

nomel 2y ago
I suppose the problem is that there isn't a good word for this concept. I just find it interesting that, in my experience, this is only used in relation to luxury goods.
- NoboruWataya 2y ago
  > in my experience, this is only used in relation to luxury goods. Not really. You can also "invest" in personal relationships, for example, which implies neither a financial outlay nor an expectation of financial return. When used in the context of purchasing consumer goods, I think it is most often used in the context of goods which are expensive (the financial outlay) and durable (ie, capable of providing enjoyment--analogous to profit--for a long time into the future). And of course those goods are more likely to be considered "luxury" goods.
  - nomel 2y ago
    In the case of a relationship, maybe it could be argued that you are profiting, in the currency being used: you get more positive interactions out than you put in. ;)
- digging 2y ago
  > this is only used in relation to luxury goods. It isn't. People say it in regards to quality goods of all kinds - shoes, mattresses, food.

sandspar 2y ago

Investment in x% higher likelihood of your child's safety.

winwang 2y ago

Because the value the item brought you was worth more than the money you exchanged for it. My Bose QC35s were one of the best investments I've ever made, lasting many years and very many loud plane rides. Or would you consider groceries a "pure financial loss" as well?

nomel 2y ago
> Or would you consider groceries a "pure financial loss" as well? Being healthy results in me being able to make more money, so it literally is an investment. Investing in a luxury purse or basinet has no concept of profit, but can happily result in high value. Profit and value (or satisfaction) are not the same.

fkyoureadthedoc 2y ago

So goofy that you asked this with the "usually" right there in your own quote.

richardmuhn 2y ago

[flagged]