15 Money Wasters You Need to Ditch Today

With the economy being so tough right now, it’s important to keep your budget in check. Unfortunately, many of us spend money on things that we don’t really need, and after a while, it adds up. It’s no surprise that some people waste a lot of their money, and sometimes they throw away money by not even being mindful of it.

Are you tired of watching your hard-earned money slip through your fingers? If so, it’s time to start eliminating some of the biggest money wasters from your life. These are the 15 common ways that people waste money without even realizing it. By getting rid of these bad habits, you can start saving money today and get your finances back on track.  

Common Money Wasters

1) Extended Warranties

Most people have been there – you buy a new appliance or electronic device, and the salesperson asks if you want to buy an extended warranty. They make it sound like a no-brainer – for just a few extra bucks, you can have peace of mind in case something goes wrong. But the truth is that extended warranties and store warranties are often a waste of money. 

Extended warranties may sound like a good idea, but not all of them are reliable. Some are expensive and don’t cover everything that could go wrong. Others are rarely used and become a cost with no financial return. And, more often than not, the cost of repairs is much cheaper than the cost of the extended warranty.

So before you say yes to that next extended warranty, do your research and find out if it’s really worth the money.

2) Gym Memberships

A lot of people think that joining a gym is a surefire way to get in shape. After all, gyms have all the latest equipment and offer a variety of classes led by certified instructors. However, in reality, most people who join gyms never actually use them. As a result, gym memberships are often a waste of money. 

If you’re serious about wanting to get into shape, it’s better to find an activity you enjoy and stick with it. You’ll be more likely to stick with it, and you won’t be wasting your hard-earned cash on a gym membership you don’t use.

3) Convenience Stores

If you’re looking to save money, convenience stores are not the place to do it. In general, items sold at convenience stores are marked up significantly compared to their grocery store counterparts. This is because convenience stores rely on impulse buys to make their profit, so they charge more for items that people are likely to purchase on a whim.

Furthermore, many of the items sold at convenience stores are processed and unhealthy, so you’re not just paying more; you’re also harming your health. So next time you’re feeling snacky, resist the temptation to hit up the nearest convenience store – your wallet (and your waistline) will thank you.

4) Needless Bank Fees

Have you ever been charged a fee for using your own money? If so, you’re not alone. Every year, banks across the country collect billions of dollars in fees from their customers. Whether it’s a monthly service charge, an ATM fee, or a penalty for overdrawing your account, these fees can add up quickly and eat into your hard-earned savings. And what do you get in return for all those fees? Not much. 

In most cases, the services that many banks charge for are either free or available for a fraction of the cost elsewhere. So if you’re tired of getting hit with hidden fees, it might be time to take your business elsewhere. With so many options available, there’s no need to waste your money on needless bank fees.

5) Unused Subscriptions 

Unused subscriptions can be a waste of money for a few reasons:

1. When you don’t use a subscription, you’re essentially paying for something that you’re not using.
2. Most subscriptions have a monthly or yearly fee, so if you’re not using it, that’s money that could be going towards something else.
3. Many subscriptions automatically renew, so if you’re not actively using the service, you could end up paying for it long-term.

In short, there are a few reasons why unused subscriptions can be a waste of money. If you’re not using a service, it’s probably best to cancel it and free up that cash.

6) Keeping Up With the Joneses

It’s human nature to compare ourselves to others. And when it comes to money, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing our own finances to those of our friends, family, and neighbors. However, this can often be a recipe for financial disaster. After all, just because someone else can afford a new car or a bigger house doesn’t mean that you can. 

If you’re not careful, you could end up trying to keep up with the Joneses and wind up drastically overspending in the process. So next time you’re tempted to compare your financial situation to someone else’s, remember that it’s often more important to focus on your own bottom line.

7) Delivery Services

These days, there are delivery services for just about everything. Need a pizza? There’s a delivery service for that. Need your groceries? There’s a delivery service for that, too. And if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to leave your house for anything, there are even delivery services that will bring you just about anything else you could possibly want. 

While delivery services may be convenient, they can also be a waste of money. First of all, most delivery services charge a flat fee for each order, so if you’re only ordering one or two items, you’re probably paying more than you would if you just went and got the item yourself. Secondly, many delivery services add on additional fees for things like taxes and tips, which can really add up. Finally, many delivery services have minimum order requirements, so if you’re only looking for a couple of items, you’ll likely end up spending more than you intended. So, while delivery services may be convenient, they can also be quite expensive. If you’re on a budget, it’s probably best to stick to doing your own shopping.

8) Impulse Spending

We’ve all been there – you see something you want, and you buy it without thinking twice. It feels great at the moment, but then you get home and realize that you really didn’t need it. 

Impulse spending is a waste of money because it’s buying things that we don’t really need. We may want them, but we don’t actually need them. This kind of spending can quickly add up, and it’s often on things that we forget about soon after we buy them. 

If you find yourself impulse spending, try to take a step back and ask yourself if you really need the item. Chances are, you’ll realize that you don’t, and you can save yourself some money.

9) Credit Card Interest

If you’ve ever been charged interest on a credit card, you know how frustrating it can be. You’re already paying for the purchase with your hard-earned money, and now you have to pay even more just for the privilege of using a credit card. What’s worse, the interest rate on credit cards is often much higher than the interest rate on other types of loans, which means that you end up paying even more in the long run. 

In short, paying credit card interest is a waste of money. So next time you’re thinking about using a credit card, think twice and consider another option instead. There are plenty of other ways to use your money that will actually help you save in the long run.

10) Buying Name Brands

When it comes to spending money, we all want to get the most bang for our buck. However, sometimes people get caught up in buying name brands when there’s really no need. 

In many cases, generic brands are just as good as name brands, but they cost a fraction of the price. For example, you can usually find generic versions of popular medicines at your local pharmacy. These products contain the same active ingredients as their name-brand counterparts, but they’re much less expensive. The same is true for items like food, clothing, and household goods. So next time you’re at the store, don’t be afraid to save yourself some money by choosing the generic option.

11) Wasting Food

Wasting food is a waste of money. When you go to the grocery store, you’re spending hard-earned cash on the items you pick out. So, when you end up throwing half of it away, you’re basically throwing away your money. 

It’s important to be mindful of how much food you’re buying and to only buy what you know you’ll actually use. If you find that you often have food that goes bad before you can eat it, try meal prepping or freeze your leftovers, so they don’t go to waste. By being more conscious of your food consumption, you can save yourself some cash and help reduce food waste overall.

12) Cell Phone Plans

Cell phone plans can be a waste of money for a number of reasons. First, many people end up paying for features that they never use. For example, many people sign up for unlimited data plans but only use a fraction of the data that they are allotted. 

In addition, some cell phone plans come with an annual contract, which means that you are locked into the same rate for an entire year. For these reasons, it is important to carefully consider your needs and shop around before signing up for a cell phone plan. Many times, you can get prepaid services for a lot cheaper.

13) In-App Purchases

In-app, purchases are a waste of money for a number of reasons:

1. Many apps that offer in-app purchases are designed in such a way that the user is encouraged to make impulse buys.
2. The prices for in-app purchases are often inflated, and it can be easy to rack up a large bill without intending to.
3. In many cases, the items that can be bought with in-app purchases are purely cosmetic and have no impact on the gameplay.

For all these reasons, it is best to avoid in-app purchases altogether.

14) Meal Kits

Meal kit services have become all the rage in recent years, but are they really worth the money? While it’s true that meal kits can save you time and effort in the kitchen, they can also be a huge waste of money. 

First of all, meal kits often come with pre-portioned ingredients, which means you can end up paying for more than you need. And second, most meal kits require you to sign up for a subscription, which can add up quickly. So while meal kits may be convenient, they’re not always the best value for your money.

15) Cable TV

In today’s culture, it seems like everyone has cable tv. From sports fanatics to movie buffs, there’s a channel for everyone. However, paying for cable tv can be a huge waste of money. There are a ton of free alternatives available, such as streaming services and over-the-air tv. 

Most people only watch a handful of channels on a regular basis, making the monthly price tag hard to justify, so if you’re looking to save some cash, it’s time to cut the cord.

Final Thoughts

No one wants to work hard for money and then blow it on something stupid. Now that you’re aware of some of the most common money wasters, you can take a look at your spending and make sure you’re not wasting money on things you don’t really want or need.