Stop Buying These 10 Things to Save Tons of Money

When money is tight, you probably tighten your belt a little bit — so to speak. You might clip coupons, try to save energy, pack your lunch instead of going out, etc. If you’re trying to save some cash, however, it can be as simple as not buying a handful of things anymore. Here’s a list of 10 things you should stop buying if you want to save money.

1. Junk Food

It seems like a no-brainer, but your wallet and your waistline will both say thank you if you quit buying junk food. You know…potato chips, candy, chocolate (gasp!), soda, etc. Anything that offers calories without nutrition can just go away.

2. Paper Towels and Napkins

Really? Yes really! Paper towels and napkins are expensive, and if you’re worried about waste, you should seriously consider eliminating these from your household. Use rags, towels, and things like Unpaper Towels that are reusable and washable. These can go around your normal paper towel holder.

3. Grated Cheese

Pre-grated cheese is much more expensive than a regular block. Save yourself some money and take a couple of minutes to grate it yourself. No big deal!

4. Shaving Cream or Gel

If you shave with cream or gel, you know it gives you a better shave — it just does. But know what else works just as well or better? Hair conditioner! Buy it at the dollar store. It costs a lot less and last longer than what most people use for shaving.

5. Books

E-books are cheaper. The library is cheapest! In fact, there are many ways your local library can save you money.

6. Fancy Coffee

You know it’s way more pricey to stop at Starbucks than make your own, right? But even fancier home coffees like K-Cups will cost you a lot more to make a home. Try a few different cheaper brands and see what you like best.

7. Gym Memberships

If you’re using your gym membership enough to actually make it worth paying for, that’s one thing. But so many people sign up and then never use their memberships — at least not after about March. 😉

8. Cable and Internet Equipment Rentals

You know you can save significant money every month if you forego the cable bill. But you’ll also save money over the long run by buying your own cable box and modem for your internet. They’ll charge you $10+ every month for as long as you have the service. How much would that add up to? Buy your own equipment (just make sure it’s compatible first), and it’ll pay for itself.

9. Foaming Hand Soap

Those foamy hand soaps feel more luxurious than the regular stuff, am I right? Too bad they’re significantly more expensive and don’t last long enough! However, it’s very easy to make your own with economical liquid soap.

10. Laundry Detergent

You might not think of laundry detergent as an expensive item, but when you compare it to making your own, it’s super pricey. And if you can get cleaning power that’s as good or better than the leading big brands at a mere fraction of the cost, that makes it even better.