We are always looking for ways to save a little extra money. Why spend money when you don’t need to spend money? Chances are, you have worked hard for your money and you don’t want to just throw it away for no reason. If you are doing any of these things on the list, you are doing just that. Follow along and stop buying these things to save a lot of money.
Coffee That You Don’t Make
Paying $3-$4 for a cup a coffee can add up in a hurry. Think about it, if you pay $3 for a cup a coffee each day, five days a week that adds up to $60 a month and $720 per year. And that’s probably on the low side. Chances are, you might add in donut or bagel since you’re there. Invest in a coffee maker and cup and you could save hundreds of dollars in one year! Pick up a can of coffee for a couple bucks on sale and you are good to go!
TV Packages
How many channels do you actually need? I remember paying for all those channels and never watching 90% of them. Why should you pay for the channels you have no interest in watching? It has never been easier to cut the cord. With so many options out there these days, like Netflix and Amazon Prime, all you need is a TV antenna and a subscription, and you will save hundreds of dollars a year, if not more! So, stop paying those ridiculous prices for cable or satellite when you can pick and choose what to watch and save money. Or another idea is to stop watching so much television. Read a book, take a walk or just carry-on conversations with those around you.
Lunch
If you are still buying lunch every day while at work, you are wasting all kinds of money. The average cost for dining out at lunch is $8-$11 plus tip, and that’s being modest these days. Think of the money you could save in a month if you only eat out a couple times during that month or not at all. Try limiting how much you eat out and pack your lunch more often than not. If you don’t like making sandwiches every day, then make a pot of soup on the weekend or leftovers from the night before and put into individual containers. Store in the fridge or freezer and take to work and throw in the microwave and you have a homemade lunch. It’s probably a lot healthier than what you’re eating out as well.
Subscriptions
Check out your credit card statement, you may be paying for subscriptions you forgot you had. With nearly everything being digital these days, you are not getting a physical copy of that magazine or newspaper, so it is easy to forget about them. Same goes for other digital services like Netflix, digital sports subscriptions like MLB, streaming music or anti-virus software from an old computer you no longer own. So be sure you are checking that credit card statement every month.
Pre-cut Food
Sure, the pre-cut fruits and vegetables are very convenient. But they are also very expensive. We are all busy and sometimes don’t think we have the time to cut up some fruit or veggies. Try a little experiment, purchase the uncut variety one week and cut it up yourself. Then weigh it. Purchase the pre-cut version the following week and see how much you are paying per pound. Once you realize how much money you are wasting by purchasing the pre-cut variety, you might just find the time to cut your own.
Unlimited Data
Do you really use that much data? With Wi-Fi everywhere these days, how much extra data do you really need? Check the amount of data you actually use, and you might be able to ditch the unlimited plan and save about half of what you’re paying now. You can always try a prepaid cell phone plan to save even more!
Bottled Water
Buying bottled water is equivalent to throwing cash out the car window while you’re driving down the road. It is convenient to grab a bottle while you’re on the go. But you can have your own container just for water. Fill it up at the tap, put it in the fridge and grab it when you are on the go. You can even have two or three! Plus, you will help the environment by not putting all those plastic bottles in the landfill. It takes about 500 years to decompose a plastic bottle.
Extended Warranties
Chances are that new car or dishwasher already has a decent warranty. If not, maybe you should buy a different brand. Otherwise, be sure you understand the terms of the warranty and extended warranty. If the manufacturer’s warranty is for three years and the extended warranty is for four years you are only getting one extra year of the warranty unless stated otherwise. That’s where the confusion comes into play. Even though it sounds like it is an extension of 4 years it is really just an additional year more than the manufacturer’s warranty.
Paying Full Price
With all the different reward programs and online cashback sites, paying full price for just about anything, can be a thing of the past. Sites like Rakuten allow you to use their app or by going to their website first to discover which retailers you can save a lot of money. It is really simple to use and Rakuten will send you a check or gift card with your cashback reward. Use this link to sign up for Rakuten and get $30 just for trying it!
Most major retailers also have their own reward program that you may register for and you receive discounted offers and/or other discounts for gasoline or offers at other retailers. So be sure to investigate a retailer that you already shop, and you might be able to save even more.
And don’t forget to join the email list, even if you don’t plan on being a regular customer. A lot of retailers will offer a “welcome” email with a percentage off your first order. Pro Tip: You can have multiple email addresses to register before each time you buy! You can always unsubscribe if the emails become annoying.
Buying New
Buying everything new can be costing you money. Large purchases like cars, it seems obvious that you can save money buying pre-owned vehicles. But what about clothes, furniture, sporting goods and appliances? Check out thrift stores, yard sales and local online options like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Some local police departments have set up meeting spots where buyers and sellers can meet to ensure a safe transaction. So, check with your local PD in the area for a little peace of mind.
And don’t forget about Ebay and other online retailers that sell pre-owned goods. It is just another way save some extra cash.
Wrap Up
If you’re reading this article, you have probably already tried one or two of these items. Hopefully, you were able to pick up some new ideas to Stop Buying These Things to Save A lot of Money. These are just some simple tricks that are easy to implement and help keep money in your pocket. Thank you for checking out this article and please leave a comment with any ideas you may have as well!
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