When you’re trying to be financially responsible and stick to your budget, spending money on things you don’t really need should be stopped immediately. Seriously, stop spending money on things you don’t really need. There are certain luxuries that you may convince yourself you need and you really don’t. The CGS Team is sharing 8 things to re-think spending your money on. Your money will go much further for you if they aren’t spent on these things.
Cell Phone Insurance
You may think you need cell phone insurance, and the cell phone sales rep certainly expressed why you should have it, but chances are you won’t ever need it. If you do end up needing it, you first have to meet the high deductible. Take some time to think through if you really do need the extra coverage. If you do, make sure you get the right coverage plan and know what the deductible is before you purchase!
Monthly Subscription Boxes
Everyone loves a special package coming for them in the mail! While you may enjoy new stuff coming to your door every month, you may be wasting your dollars. Whether it’s a beauty box, fitness gear or kitchen supplies, if you aren’t using what comes to you, get rid of the subscription. Also, if you tend to shop for those products in between getting your boxes, you’re spending double the money on these items.
Bottled Water
Did you know consumers spend nearly 800 times more for bottled water than plain tap water? Nowadays, most refrigerators come with filters, or you can buy an affordable filter, like the Brita Faucet Water Filter System for under $20, that attaches to your kitchen sink-head. There’s not much of an excuse to spend so much on bottled water when filtered alternatives are available.
Morning Lattes
Trust us, this one is hard for us to let go too. However, after calculating the yearly cost of that morning latte five days a week (between $500-$800 depending on where you go), it’s not really worth curbing the craves. Instead, we’ve opted for adorable travel mugs like the champagne-colored stainless steel mug from LifeSky to transport our coffee on the morning commute. The kick hits right when it’s time to get to work. Some coffee shops even offer discounted coffee if you have your own mug!
Extended Warranties
Consumer reports show that appliances rarely breakdown within the extended warranty timeframe. That means that you are shelling out extra cash with your purchase for nothing. Once the warranty expires, if something happens to your object, you have to cover the costs. Chances are you won’t need to fix the item before the warranty expires, so save yourself some money and skip it.
Landline
If you have a cell phone, do you need a landline also? Unless it’s used for work and covered by your company, it may save you money in the long run to forgo the extra phone. Most cell phone plans offer unlimited minutes, so you can get all of the calling time you need through that.
Games & Apps
They really do get you when they say “only $.99 for 1 million coins”, or “download the ad-free app for $9.99”. Whatever the promotion is that you are getting from your app or cell phone game, you probably don’t need it. Sure, it doesn’t amount to much when you look at it as a one-time purchase, but getting into the habit of allowing low-cost purchases opens the door for more spending.
Cable
Cable is probably one of the hardest things to get rid of, especially if you love certain shows. However, there are so many options available to TV-watchers that are much more affordable than your cable plan. The Amazon Fire TV Stick allows you to stream over 4,000 channels, apps, and games. Netflix and Hulu stream TV shows and movies for about $10-$15/month. The Apple TV allows you to stream apps (like Netflix and Hulu), and rent movies via iTunes.
Related: 10 Things You’re Spending Too Much Money On
If there’s an opportunity to put extra money in your pocket, take it! Getting into the frugal mindset and understanding needs versus wants will allow you to make better financial decisions, and have more money left over because of it! What are some ways you have cut back? Are there certain things you can’t live without? Post a comment below to share your vices!
12 thoughts on “8 Things to Stop Spending Money On”
Great article! The latte’s are definitely the hardest thing to let go of but soo expensive! Especially if you’re like me who gets two a day sometimes…!
Amanda, I agree completely! I LOVE my coffee, however I’ve gotten my coffee spending down to twice a week – once on Fridays (for getting through the work-week) and once on Saturday’s as fuel for writing my blog posts!
I’ve been saying we’re canceling the cable for over a year now but it really needs to happen!
Tiana, cable is so hard to get rid of…at first! Once you make the switch to Netflix, Hulu, or the Amazon Fire TV Stick you will not regret it!
What about exercise TV stations like Gaia TV (6.99/month via Comcast cable). I want to get ride of Cable but need it for Wi-Fi at home.
$6.99 definitely beats the high costs of cable! Have you talked to your current provider about internet-only rates? Often times services (phone, cable, internet) are bundled together, but can be sold separately.
These are spot on. The only one I have to think about is the apps. I love apps. And I agree with Amanda- I only buy my latte once or twice a week. I totally deserve it.
Interesting article, thanks for sharing! I already don’t do most of these. Exceptions are, I do buy tea at coffeehouses 5 days a week, and for 6 months a year I do get a CSA box of vegetables weekly. I only wish I could get this 12 months a year! I don’t think I’m willing to give those up at this time. I don’t have cable, Hulu, Netflix OR Amazon, but I do have wireless internet at home, so Comcast still gets me that way!
Hey Stephanie! You’re welcome! It’s a simple list, but makes you wonder if more money than necessary is going to these things! It sounds like you have a few vices (which is totally normal and required for sanity) but you make it up by saving elsewhere! I LOVE that!
Love your list! We don’t spend money on any of these things except the landline, and we have saved a ton of money in the last 6 years. Where I live you can’t have internet without phone, but thankfully it’s a very low price.
Thanks Kayla! I’m glad you are at least getting a good deal for a landline!
Thank you Raya! Awesomeness! Happy New Year!