With Trump’s new tariffs threatening to make daily life unaffordable for most Americans, there is a actually a simple way to save money on items that are going to go up in price: don’t buy them!
You CAN avoid the store totally and make these items yourself!
The world is always trying to get us to buy things we simply don’t need, costing us a small fortune!
And while we’d never say never to any items on this list, we’d also argue that these five things are the first expenses you should cut out or cut back if you want to get serious about savings.
Elaborate Coffees
You knew this one would make it on this list. Yes, your $8 morning latte is a sacred rite and the only way you can function before 10am. But realistically, it’s way too expensive to do every day if you’re trying to save money. Even if you’re only spending $5 on that caffeinated concoction every day, that adds up to about $150 a month. That’s right—enough to fund a small vacation or, you know, a decent coffee maker that essentially pays for itself. And once you start making your own coffee, there’s no more waiting in line or getting your order wrong, so it’s a big win any way you look at it!
Takeout and Delivery
Takeout and delivery are both extremely convenient; we’ve all been in those situations where we’re exhausted and can’t bring ourselves to even boil water for dinner. But instead of assuming the future you is capable of feeding you in those moments of exhaustion, try meal prepping on weekends or whipping up easy one-pot meals during the week. Keep carryout and delivery orders to an absolute minimum, like for special occasions or those days where cooking anything is truly impossible.
Brand-Name Products
The “prestige” you think you’re getting with brand-name products is holding you back from meeting your financial goals. Generic brands can be just as good (if not better) than their name-brand counterparts, and they often come with a much friendlier price tag. Next time you’re at the grocery store, dare to venture into the world of store brands and see how much you save. That said, it can be worth buying the brand-name product if you consider it genuinely better. Just don’t buy something solely because it’s name brand!
Useless Subscriptions
No one is immune from the siren call of a free trial. But if you’re still paying for those streaming subscriptions you’re never using, you might as well be setting cash on fire. Take a look at your bank statement and see how many subscriptions you’re paying for that you don’t use. If you haven’t watched that streaming service since last summer, it might be time to let it go.
Brand-New Clothes
We all love a good shopping spree, but let’s be real: do you really need another pair of jeans that are “totally different” from the other five pairs you already own? The fashion industry thrives on making us believe we need the latest trends, but in reality, most of us wear the same 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. Instead of splurging on new clothes, consider organizing a clothing swap with friends or hitting up your local thrift store. You’ll save money, find unique pieces, and help the environment!
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