Hi friend,
Tired of hearing you need the next upgrade or “must-have” just to keep up?
Those messages are designed to pull us into spending traps, making us feel like we’re missing out if we don’t buy.
But not every purchase is a waste of money. By our definition, a waste is simple: anything you buy and don’t actually use.
With this in mind, we dug into the numbers and found 17 ways most of us are ‘wasting’ money.
Check out today’s episode on Youtube to hear how all these purchases can add up to a shocking yearly total and why cutting just a few can make a huge difference.
⚠️ 3 money traps that stand out the most:
1. Personal Care Splurges
That expensive lotion, hair serum, or face mask you bought with the best intentions but never actually opened, or worse – they expired!? Small services and products can quietly stack into thousands over a year without you even noticing.
2. Pet Stuff
Data shows most pet owners spend hundreds a year on toys and gadgets their pets never touch. That fancy chew toy or subscription box often gets ignored while a simple sock or cardboard box keeps them just as entertained.
Your pets don’t know the difference, and your wallet will thank you.
3. Tech Upgrades
New phones, tablets, or accessories are marketed as essential, but replacing perfectly good equipment just because something shinier came out can cost thousands over time and add unnecessary clutter.
Check out the rest of the 14 spending traps and let us know which one’s you’re cutting:
🎯 Bonus Tip for Smart Spending
Spoiler alert: one of the 17 ‘wastes of money’ is food related 🤭.
But we think one of the easiest ways to cut spending in this area is by planning your meals ahead of time.
Our Ultimate Meal Planner makes it simple to organize groceries, reduce food waste, and stick to your budget. Right now, you can get it for 30% off (and check out some of our other spreadsheets for 30% off while you’re at it)!
It’s a small investment that pays for itself in weeks.
Cutting even a handful of these expenses can free up real money for debt payoff, travel, or simply breathing easier with a bigger savings cushion.
Here’s to spending with less waste and more fun,
Misti
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.
