Engineer your Finances - Are you planning on pruning your expenses in the New Year? Before you start making excuses, let’s review fifteen expenses you’re considering giving up because, frankly, you should.
“Health” “Food” Products
So many online retailers are touting egregious and borderline pseudoscience-y products that, if you aren’t careful, will suck you in — and your money right along with it.
Unitasker Kitchen Appliances
There might be a few exceptions here, but let’s be realistic: don’t buy an egg slicer if you have no plans to start making Cobb salads.
Coffee Runs
It’s insanely cheap to make coffee at home. It is so cheap that paying attention to how much you spend going out for coffee every day will make you feel cheated out of a plane ticket.
Random Tech Gadgets
This is the perfect time of year for people to start throwing money at their resolutions by buying FitBits and the like. However, ask yourself whether or not you really need this or how much you’ll use it before you buy.
Costly Skincare
Human skin has managed to be healthy without $40 night creams for literally decades. Consult your dermatologist if you have a skin condition that might require special products. Otherwise, you’re probably spending way more than you need to here.
Subscription Services
You signed up to watch one season of one show and forgot about it for months. Sound familiar? Subscription services can be fantastic — IF you’re actually using them.
New Smartphones
If you think you need a new smartphone every time they come out with a new model, the marketing machine is winning. Take back autonomy; if your phone works, hang on to it until it doesn’t.
In-App Purchases
Microtransactions are pretty predatory, so stay alert and resist the urge to buy more fuel to play your favorite mobile game.
Bottled Water
Buy one (1) singular reusable water bottle you love and a filter, and save yourself the money and hassle of buying bottled water.
Fast Fashion
“Here today, gone tomorrow” should not be the motto of every scarf you own. Spending money on clothing is okay, but it should be quality clothes that won’t fall apart in a few months.
Gift Shop Memorabilia
A souvenir is a wonderful thing to bring back from a trip. Still, a shot glass or keychain is not worth it compared to the more exciting things you could buy from a local shop.
Data Storage
Very few people have enough files to justify an iCloud or Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Drive. And even if you do, it might be time to chew the fat and see if you need all those selfies you took with your dog that once.
Cigarettes and Vapes
Aside from being absurdly bad for your health, cigarettes and vapes are a considerable drain on your finances. Kick the habit, and you’ll see benefits in every aspect of life, including your monthly budget.
Delivery Fees
It’s fun to splurge on a pizza occasionally after a long week. But if you’re still ordering delivery from a walkable restaurant, put on some shoes and brave the world to save a few bucks.
Lottery Tickets
The occasional lotto ticket or scratch-off never hurt anyone; it’s when you start thinking it could be your ticket to paradise that you should reconsider your spending.
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