Money is a tricky thing—some people save it carefully, others spend it wisely, and then there are those who, unfortunately, end up wasting it in the most unexpected ways.

Here are a couple of stories about people who lost their money in surprising circumstances.

The Romantic Getaway That Wasn’t So Romantic

“My boyfriend planned a dreamy weekend at a luxury hotel. Everything felt perfect—until it was time to check out. His card got declined, and he turned bright red with embarrassment. Wanting to save the moment, I smiled and paid for everything.

As we were leaving, the receptionist discreetly pulled me aside and said, ‘Be careful, I’ve seen this guy do the same thing with other women. He brings them here, his card gets declined, and they end up covering the bill. You’re being scammed!’

I refused to believe her. We were still in the early days of our relationship, and I trusted him completely—I had no reason not to. But over time, little things started adding up. He conveniently forgot his wallet more often, made me cover shopping trips, and even pressured me into investing in a shady scheme.

That was the final straw. I broke up with him. But to this day, I still think about that hotel stay. It was the first red flag, and I wish I had listened.”

Another story about Love and Money: