While large purchases will be thought about, have you considered all of those tiny things you buy and how they can add up? Find out how to manage your personal budget by stopping wasting your money by eliminating or cutting down on the following items.
Bank Fees
There is no reason to pay fees when there are so many banks and accounts that offer free checking. At my bank, there are no bank fees as long as we have direct deposit. Talk to your bank about other checking account options or shop around for one that will not take any fees out of your account.
Online Shipping
This is another one of those expenses that does not seem like much at first, but can add up if you purchase items online a lot. If you shop on Amazon, you should look for the products that have Free Super Saver Shipping or sign up for Amazon Prime (they have one for mothers and students at a discount). For other online retailers, try to select the ones that offer free shipping or that do not charge an arm and a leg. For heavy products that will cost a lot to ship, you would be better off purchasing them at a brick and mortar store. Make sure you know how to create secure passwords when registering online.
Fast Food
Fast food is horrible for you and it is also costly. If you tend to get hungry while you are on the road, pack yourself a “snack pack” to keep in your vehicle. My snack pack has nuts, seeds, dried fruit and raisins for when I get the munchies.
Even if you just buy a cup of coffee each morning from the drive-thru, you are still wasting your money and it will add up at the end of the month. Make your own coffee and pour it in a thermos.
Lottery Tickets
Some people think of lottery tickets as harmless fun and most of the time they are. But you need to really be honest about how much you are spending on them each year. This is one of those purchases where you are wasting your money. It would be nice to win the lottery, but the chances are extremely slim. It would be much wiser to take that money and invest in cryptocurrencies.
All of these items may seem like they do not cost a lot until you start keeping track of how much you are really spending and you start paying attention to how many times you purchase these items.
What small purchases have you eliminated in an effort to stop wasting your money?