There are some things we buy every day that we really don’t need. These items become part of our everyday expenses and really are easy to cut out of your budget. Whenever you are trying to save up for something: retirement, a house, an emergency fund, summer vacation, or a new baby- then these are the easiest things you can cut from your budget.
But don’t forget the most important thing: as soon as you cut an item from your budget, make sure to put the savings directly into a dedicated bank account or cash envelope to avoid accidentally spending them on other things you don’t really need.
Bottled Water
More and more, we’re learning about how plastic waste is clogging waterways, ending up in our oceans, causing pollution, and harming wildlife. America has safe drinking water. Take advantage of it with reusable bottles and containers.
Buying bottled water is an unnecessary expense. Invest in some good reusable water bottles and use tap water instead. If the taste doesn’t appeal to you or if you live in a place where tap water is not safe to drink, then get a water filter installed. Not only is it better for you, but the cost savings will work out in the long run.
Brand-Name Foods and Items
When we head out to buy groceries for the week, we often throw brand-name products into our shopping cart without thinking about it, especially for categories like cereals, pasta, and canned goods. But these are arguably the items least impacted by branding: many dry goods have premium prices that don’t match the supposed improved quality the branded options suggest.
This is even more true for staples like oil, flour, sugar, and rice. Choose the more affordable generic option — I guarantee there’s no way you’ll know the difference 99% of the time.
TV
Cable has been in decline for some time now and for good reasons. It’s expensive, customer service is notoriously awful, and there’s so much junk. With streaming and other media content services widely available now, frugal people are cutting the cord, so to speak.
But they are often turning to subscription services, which can add up quickly. You probably don’t need all the services all the time. Do the frugal thing and cancel all your subscriptions, then take advantage of offers or deals to sign up for one at a time. The trick is to sign up for one service, watch everything you want to, cancel, and then sign up for another one. If something comes out that you really want to watch, you can always sign up again!
There are also free ways to watch TV that you should look into: 10 Best Free TV Apps for Live Streaming or On-Demand
Store-Made Coffee
Coffee at places like Starbucks is expensive and usually isn’t any better than products you can brew yourself. It’s okay to treat yourself once in a while, but consider making coffee at home or going without your daily treat. No, it isn’t a lot of money, but the small things do add up!
Fast Fashion
Hot fashion trends sweep the nation and then flame out all the time. Don’t chase after these trends. But functional, reasonably priced, good-quality clothing that’s comfortable looks good, and will last. Online influencers will convince you that you need a new outfit for every occasion, and places like Shein and Temu make it easy to buy “hauls” or clothing for one-time use. Don’t fall for it. Wear what you have, borrow from friends, and make do before clicking that buy button.
Impulsive Purchases
Buying on impulse is a classic budget killer, as these purchases tend to be on things that catch our eye but which we don’t actually need. No, you don’t need that little treat, and you don’t need to buy a snack every time you leave the house. Keep some healthy snacks in your purse or car to keep hunger at bay when you are out, and stick to your list when you go shopping. You can train yourself to do with less.
Books
No, this is not an attempt to discourage reading! It’s a reminder that your local library has books you can borrow for free. If you like e-books, find online libraries or services that allow you to borrow or get books for free instead of buying them.
Paper Towels
Do you know what works better than paper towels? Rags. They can be reused and save a lot of money in the long run. Paper towels can be pricey, and they’re a one-time-use product that wastes natural resources. You can use old shirts or frayed towels as rags and throw them in your laundry when you are done. Paper towels are low-key expensive, so keep them off your shopping list or use them sparingly.
Pre-Made Meals
Pre-made meals are really convenient, especially on a busy night, but you pay a steep price for that convenience. Plus, if you use a delivery service, you’re probably paying for shipping, too. Buying and preparing your own meals can save a ton of money. Delete Doordash, Uber Eats, and other delivery services from your phone. When you factor in the delivery fees and tips, you will be shocked by how much money you are actually spending. Don’t do it!
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