How to Waste Money in 9 Easy Steps
Ablang
Posted: 04 Jan 2010 07:07 PM PST
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Could we be wasting money? You might wrongly consider yourself a
frugal saver, but unfortunately, some of the best earners wind up
throwing away money simply by going about their everyday activities.
To obtain greater financial security without getting a second job, it
would do us well to watch what we spend. Here are a few ways we may be
wasting money without realizing it:
How To Waste Money in 9 Easy Steps
Remember that these are money drains and actions you should avoid
making if you’re interested in saving money.
1. Only buy brand new vehicles. When you buy a new vehicle, you are
taking a loss as soon as you leave the showroom with your shiny
purchase. A gently used vehicle with a warranty is a better
investment. Before buying, check the history of the vehicle through
Carfax. It costs $34.99 for the service and you can check up to 10
vehicles to find the best one for your needs.
2. Use your charge cards for everything and always carry a balance.
Pay off the balance of your credit cards every month so you never
carry a balance. Why pay interest if you don’t have to? Use cash
instead of credit cards whenever possible. Only use credit cards for
major purchases when you want the reassurance of backup from the
credit card company or to earn rewards for money spent. I’d also
consider applying for balance transfer credit cards to try to pare
down credit card debt at a quicker pace.
3. Pay whatever fees the bank charges you because they’re the boss.
With the abundance of no minimum balance and free online high yield
savings accounts, it’s foolish to be paying outrageous bank fees. Take
control of your money. Shop around for free accounts so you never
waste money on these unnecessary fees every month.
4. Pay the fee to use that ATM in a questionable back alley bar. Using
an ATM anywhere you feel like it can be a convenience but it’ll cost
you. So instead, plan your money requirements. Make planned stops at
your bank branch to make ATM withdrawals so you never have to pay a
fee. Use your free ATM bank card as a debit card rather than as a
credit card when you make purchases in order to avoid incurring extra
fees such as cash advance charges. Paying ATM fees is another foolish
waste of hard-earned cash.
5. Keep your money in a non-interest bearing account. Review savings
account rates and try to find the best cd rates available for your
hard-earned money. Why not park your money in a two-week or one-month
CD rather than let it sit around collecting nothing? For a little
extra effort, you can put your money to work for you. It doesn’t make
sense to let your cash sit around for a month earning no interest when
you can invest in a short-term CD.
6. Avoid dollar stores like the plague. You’ll save a lot more money
by swallowing a little of your pride. If you think you look cheap
entering a dollar store, think again! Shopping in the dollar store
shows you’re a savvy saver. Everyday purchases such as sponges,
cleansers, soaps and paper goods are cheaper than buying at your local
grocery store. Other smart purchases at dollar stores include greeting
cards, party goods and holiday decorations.
7. Buy only name-brand products. As an alternative to branded
products, generic alternatives are an easy way to save money on
cereal, canned goods, puddings, applesauce, trash bags, spices and an
array of everyday products. Save up to a dollar or more per purchase
by simply buying generic products. Brand loyalty can cost you quite a
bit more and often it’s a similar product in fancier packaging.
8. Live on take-out food. Take-out food and dinners out can get costly
and unhealthy but eating on the run doesn’t mean spending three times
more on food with double the calories. Choose healthy alternatives
such as fresh vegetables, lean meats and potatoes. Grill them or toss
them in a wok for a fast, tasty dish for a fraction of the cost. Have
oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast and bring a bagged lunch. You’ll also
feel better, maintain a good weight and have fewer visits to the
doctor when you stop eating convenience foods all the time.
9. Leave lights on and appliances plugged in. You’ll be surprised by
how much you’ll save on energy by turning off lights when you leave
the room or your home. Make sure your appliances are unplugged when
you’re out for extended periods of time. With rising utility costs,
nobody can afford to waste electricity. Use energy efficient light
bulbs to further cut down on your electrical bills.
As you can see, it’s not all that difficult to identify areas where we
can potentially cut costs and save. In many cases, small adjustments
can lead to huge savings; if you’ve got the resolve, you’ll be able to
plug those holes you may have in your budget and find better use for
the dollars you do end up saving!
Wasting Money Discussion:
What other personal finance practices have you found to be a big waste
of money?