8 Things You’re Spending Way Too Much Money On

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All of us wish we had a little more money. We could probably make more money in our current job if we got a raise, or we could make more money after getting a promotion or finding a side gig. But the reality is that most of us would have more money if we were a little more careful about how we spend it.

There are probably many things you're spending too much money on – and with a few simple adjustments, you can save that money and use it for something much better.

Things You're Spending Way Too Much Money On

These are items and services you're probably spending way too much money on:

1.   Toilet paper. The average family spends about $160 on toilet paper a year – even when buying in bulk – and it’s almost entirely unnecessary. If you're willing to install and use a bidet, you can all but eliminate your need for toilet paper. Instead, you'll be able to clean yourself with a gentle stream of water. While you may not be used to this, this method is proven to be more hygienic, more comfortable, and better for your overall health. That's on top of this method being more environmentally sustainable and far cheaper.

2.   Restaurant meals and deliveries. How often do you go out to eat? How often do you have meals delivered to your home? How often do you swing by the coffee shop for a morning cup of coffee? It's fine to indulge yourself every once in a while, but if you're regularly depending on restaurant meals and deliveries, you're probably spending way too much money. Instead, it's better to cook and prepare your own food whenever you can. It's healthier, it's cheaper, and it might be even tastier once you get some food preparation skills down.

3.   Subscription services. Do you even know how much money you're spending on monthly subscription services? Many consumers couldn't tell you a straight answer. The truth is, most of us gradually accumulate subscription services without much consideration or evaluation, and eventually, you might forget about some of them entirely. Comb through your subscriptions to see if there's anything you no longer need, and consider reducing your subscriptions to only the best and most valuable.

4.   Clothes. Are you buying new clothes on a regular basis? If so, you're probably spending too much money on them. It's much more cost efficient to purchase clothes used and buy them sparingly. Focus on buying clothes from highly reputable brands that design their products to last a long time. You should also focus on fundamental staples, so you aren't left with clothes that you can't wear regularly.

5.   Travel. Travel is fun, but it's not a necessity to enjoy your life. Furthermore, you can get many of the benefits of travel without spending a fortune on it. If you're willing to visit more local places, share travel expenses with others, and hunt down better travel deals, you can take vacations much more affordably.

6.   New electronics. There's nothing wrong with loving technology, but if you're the type of person who buys a new gadget at every available opportunity, you're probably wasting money. You can save a lot by purchasing slightly older generations of consumer electronics or simply buying used and refurbished versions of your desired devices.

7.   Your gym membership. The average gym membership in the U.S. is $40 to $70 per month. At these rates, you might as well save up your money and buy some home equipment for yourself. Consider shopping for a gym with a much lower membership rate or focusing on exercises you can do at home.

8.   Special events. Special events like weddings should be memorable and are a reasonable occasion for indulgence – but there’s also a limit. Every year, countless couples go deeply into debt to fund an extravagant wedding or other special event that isn't truly necessary.

General Rules for Spending Less Money

If you're looking for general rules for spending less money, these are some of the best to follow:

·       Live below your means. This borderline overused phrase is a critical component of any responsible approach to personal finance. The central idea is to orchestrate a lifestyle that's well within your budgeting parameters. In other words, you should focus on keeping your spending far below your earnings, resulting in a monthly surplus that you can then save or invest. If you start to approach or exceed your means, it's a sign you need to scale back.

·       Evaluate your real needs. What do you really need, anyway? Thanks to lifestyle creep, you may eventually think that you need fancy exotic coffees and regular vacations, but this isn't really true. Learn to separate your wants from your needs and all your financial decisions will become clearer.

·       Shop around. Don't assume that you're paying a fair price. Always shop around to find similar products from different sources; you might be surprised at what you can save.

With more conscientious, more responsible spending habits, you can reduce the amount of money you spend, increase the amount of money you save and invest, and ultimately set yourself up for a much brighter financial future. 

Each purchasing decision you make may feel small, but they add up to have a massive impact on your personal finances. Treat every purchasing decision you make thoughtfully and carefully.

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