9 Everyday Shopping That Will Quietly Save You Money
A registration fee here and an impromptu purchase at the grocery store may not seem like a big purchase, but even small expenses add up. And in the long run, those can balance your savings.
While some costs are necessary, others have affordable alternatives that offer the same value.
Everyday expenses you can reduce today
Here are nine everyday expenses that you can easily eliminate.
1. Unused streaming services
Payments for subscriptions and services can be easily forgotten, as they usually come out of your bank account automatically. Check your credit card statement to see what services came up last month and consider which ones you can cut without losing money. Getting rid of streaming accounts you don’t use, for example, can save you hundreds of dollars each year.
2. Food delivery fee
Ordering through delivery apps like DoorDash can save you time — but they may not save you money. Review your spending to see how much you pay for food delivery platforms each month and see if you can cut back, such as from three or four meals to one or two. And don’t forget to check your credit card’s rewards to see if a premium delivery app subscription is included, as that often results in lower delivery costs.
3. Expensive cell phone plans
Once you have a cell phone plan that works, it can be tempting to stick with it. However, you should check to see if there are affordable mobile plans available. Compare companies to see which low cost plans have the offers you need.
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4. Bottled water and a coffee shop are available
A convenience tax refers to things people pay for convenience, and buying bottled water or drinks at a coffee shop just because you don’t want to filter your water or make coffee at home is a good example. Compare how much you spend on bottled water and coffee to the cost of a water filtration system or coffee machine you can keep at home.
5. Gas at full price
Gas can take a big chunk out of your budget, especially if you drive frequently. But there are ways to lower your gas bill. Apps like GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest stations near you, and loyalty programs and credit cards with gas-related rewards can also lead to savings.
6. Moving objects in the checkout line
Checkout lines are often full of low-priced items that you don’t really need, but can attract a lot of customers. Before reaching for items in the checkout line, consider whether buying them will make your day better. You can tell yourself that if you decide in 10 minutes that you still want something, you can always go back to the store. That obstacle is usually enough to make us realize that there is no need to buy.
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7. Out-of-network ATM fees
Having a small amount of cash can at least allow you to avoid relying on ATMs and any out-of-network fees that come with them. When opening a new bank account, do some research to make sure the ATM network includes machines where you live or frequent.
8. Annual credit card fees
To be clear, some credit card annual fees are worth the money, especially if you take advantage of rewards programs. But if you’re not using enough of the card’s benefits to cover the card’s costs, you may want to downgrade. Annual fees add up over time, especially if you’ve signed up for multiple credit cards with annual fees.
9. Bank overdraft fees
Although many banks have removed overdraft fees – which are the fees you have to pay if you use more money than you have in your account – policies still vary from bank to bank. You can reduce the risk of paying this amount by keeping a cushion of cash in your checking account and choosing banks with overdraft protection.
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How to start cutting costs
You don’t need to cut all these expenses in one day. Making incremental changes every few weeks or months can make a difference in your budget without stress.
Start by reviewing your bank statement and canceling an item or two, such as a subscription you’ve never used. Then, you can change one service, such as your cell phone plan, if you find a cheaper option. Ideally you will start to feel enough progress to motivate you to keep cutting costs.
