Little ways you might accidentally be spending money
Do you ever look at your bank account at the end of a month and wonder, where did all of my hard earned money go?? You know you’ve been working hard all month, but somehow all of that money seems to fly out the window. It happens to most of us from time to time! Keep reading to learn a few ways you are wasting money, without even realizing it!
1. Using Plastic Bags
Do you have a habit of using plastic bags regularly? This can be a quick way to save leftovers, pack a lunch, or store random items.
However, those baggies can start to add up to some big spending. A cheaper option would be to use some tupperware or a reusable bag. True, the initial investment will be more pricey than your typical plastic bag, but the savings will add up over time. Not only is it good for the environment, it’s also good for your wallet!
2. Forgotten Subscriptions
It’s far to easy to sign up for subscriptions these days. There are just so many options, such as a new app or a few streaming services. With a simple click of a button we can have so many fun things at our disposal!
Unfortunately, it’s much easier to sign up for subscriptions than it is to cancel those same subscriptions! And the expenses can add up quickly!
I encourage you to take a few minutes to look through your expenses and find a few subscriptions to cancel. I’m betting that you can find a few that you don’t use very often.
3. Keeping Devices Plugged In
Did you know that keeping unused devices plugged in will cost you extra money in the long run?? It’s true! Even if you aren’t using a device, if it is plugged in it is still using phantom energy, and this costs you money. Try getting into the habit of unplugging anything and everything that you aren’t using, including phones, toasters, and all electronics.
4. Throwing Away Containers Before Emptying Them
We’ve all done it. We use up most (but not all) of what’s left in a ketchup bottle, or yogurt container, and then toss the container into the trash without a second thought.
A few years ago I made a goal to stop throwing away my *almost* empty containers. Honestly, I was shocked at how much food and product I had been wasting. When I started trying to use every last drop, the item was able to last so much longer than I had imagined.
Here are a few things that have helped me use every last drop:
- Using a mini spatula to scrape out anything leftover in a container. These work great for scraping out leftovers in makeup or food jars! I use one regularly for my foundation and it lasts me an extra month than I had planned on!
- Freezing leftover food in ice cube trays to pull out when needing a small amount.
5. Letting Food Expire
I honestly don’t want to admit the amount of food I regularly find hiding in the back of my fridge growing mold….it happens much more often then it should.
Allowing food to expire is another way that many of us (me included) lets money go down the drain.
According to a study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the average American household throws away approximately $1,866 amount of food each year. That’s a lot of money!
To prevent food waste try a few of the tips below:
- Make a meal plan that revolves around ingredients you already have at home
- Include a few meals in your meal plan that focuses on eating leftovers
- Freeze your leftovers to reuse for another meal. Not sure what food can be frozen? Read this article: 19 Foods You Didn’t Know Could Be Frozen
- Buy what you need and what you know you’ll eat, not what you “hope” you’ll eat
- Check expiration dates regularly to make sure you use it up before it goes bad
6. Replacing an Item When It Breaks, Instead of Repairing It
Learning to make repairs on items something when they break, rather than immediately buying something new to replace it, will save you so much money throughout your life.
Here’s a list of things you could try to repair, instead of replace:
- Socks
- Sweaters
- Window Screens
- Lawn Mowers
- Appliances
- Power Tools
- Stuffed Animals
- Furniture
Obviously, there is so much more we could add to the list! But, hopefully these ideas will get you started. I love to watch YouTube videos to help me learn all the tips for making repairs.
- Related: DIY Decor On A Budget
7. Being A Name Brand Snob
Alright, I’ll admit it. I was once a name brand snob. I truly thought that i would only be happy with name brand purchases. That is, until I realized how much money I was wasting each and every day.
I slowly started branching out to more off brand items and realized that most of them taste just as good as the name brand version! Now, most of what I buy are off brand, and I have never looked back!
You will save so much money, and get just as good of product simply by switching the brand you are trying.
Not sure where to start, read my article: Off Brand Items That Are Just As Good As The Name Brand.
8. Paying For Convenience
Convenience is a slippery slope in the budget world. Paying for a little convenience here and there might look like small fees, but those small fees will add up over time and are a fast way to waste money without realizing you’re doing it.
A few examples of convenience fees you might be paying for are:
- Pre cut produce at the grocery store
- Grocery Delivery
- DoorDash
- Yard Work
- Professional Cleaners
- Meal Subscription Boxes
The next time you are tempted to spend a little extra on convenience, stop and ask yourself if it’s really worth the extra money, or if you have the time and ability to do the extra work yourself.
9. Ignoring Energy Usage
How close of attention do you pay to lights being left on in your home? I know at my house my kids LOVE to leave the basement light on when they leave for school, it feels like I’m constantly reminding them to turn off the lights. My kids don’t realize this, but every second the lights are on, we are spending money.
What about the heating and cooling of your house? Do you set the thermometer where it feels most comfortable and then forget about it? Or do you make the effort to adjust it for when you’ll be out of town, at night time in an effort to save money.
One of the more common ways we are all wasting our hard earned money is by ignoring our energy usage. All it takes is being diligent about turning lights off when not in use, adjusting your thermostat at night time or when you are out of town, and you will begin to see more money in your budget.
10. Using Paper Towels
Using paper towels to mop up spills is a quick way to waste money. Instead of grabbing a paper towel, try using a reusable dish cloth or rag. The savings in the long run is huge! And it’s better for the environment! Win! Win!
11. Ignoring Freebies
Do you know of all the freebies out there? Cause there are TONS! So we all better be using them! When you ignore freebies you are wasting a chance at saving some money and falling into the trap of wasting money without realizing it.
You can find a plethora of freebies a lot of different ways, here are just a few places I suggest looking:
- Public Library ( yes, they have more than books you can check out!): 10 Free Things At The Library
- Birthday Freebies (get free stuff every year for your bday!): How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday
- Community Events: look for free concerts and events around town for free entertainment
- Join a Freecycle Facebook Group to get things that others are giving away for free
- Email your favorite companies and ask for coupons (yes this works!)
12. Overusing Laundry Detergent
I feel pretty confident making the assumption that that you are using more laundry detergent in your washing machine then you need to. Truth is, I think I use to much! Make sure you thoroughly read the instructions on your detergent to learn how much is actually needed. You just might might be surprised at how little your washing machine actually needs. The less you use, the less money you waste! Yay!
13. Using Incandescent Lightbulbs
The next way you are probably wasting money without realizing it is by buying the old fashioned incandescent lightbulbs. Yes, the price is cheaper up front, but these type of lightbulbs are making your electricity bill so much more expensive.
LED light bulbs last longer and uses less electricity than a traditional light bulb. Check out this Light Bulb Showdown article to see the huge life time savings in this one simple change.
14. Overpaying On Your Bills
Yes, we all have to pay our bills. And, at first glance those bills might feel set in stone. However, I’m here to tell you that many of them are actually negotiable!
That’s right! You can call up your service providers and ask them right out if they can offer you a lower rate than what you have been paying.
Not sure how to do that? I explain it all here: How To Negotiate Your Bills. I’ve heard so many success stories from this!
15. You Always Fill Up At The Same Gas Station
I’ll be the first to admit that I frequent my neighborhood gas station regularly, it’s just quick and convenient!
However, I have learned that over the years that I will save much more money if I shop around for gas, instead of filling up where it’s quick and convenient.
Make sur to check out gas buddy and Upside when trying to find the gas station with the best price on gasoline.
16. Buying Precut and Prepackaged Groceries
I love convenience as much as the next person, however when it comes to cutting costs at the grocery store, the first place you should look at is the convenience foods you are buying.
Do you spend money on pre-portioned snack items, such as buying small bags of chips instead of one large bag? Or maybe you buy premade salads or precut produce?
These types of purchases will run your grocery bill up fast! You will spend less if you begin buying the whole foods and cutting/portioning them out yourself.
- Related: What To Do When Grocery Prices Rise
17. Buying Everything New
Speaking of convenience, it is so easy to run to your local Walmart or scroll on Amazon for anything and everything. But, there are so many high quality items available for a fraction of the cost, you just have to be willing to be something gently used.
Rather than immediately turning to the flashy new store to buy a never before used item for top dollar, start browsing thrift stores, garage sales, and Facebook marketplace for gently used items at a fraction of the cost.
We have bought everything and anything used including, furniture, clothing, lawn mowers, toys, christmas presents, home decor, appliances, and more! If you are willing to make the time and effort to browse a few thrifting options, than you will save yourself a lot of money!
In Conclusion
These are just a few of the many ways you might be wasting money without even realizing it! If you can relate to any of these, don’t worry, you’re not a lone! Everyone succumbs to the ease and temptation of tossing money out the window every now and then. But, fortunately, we can all recognize our mistakes and try again!
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