Many of us have things we spend money on that we know we really shouldn’t. Then there are those things that we spend money on without even thinking about it at all.
Having more awareness of your personal finances is a big part of keeping them healthy, so it’s wise to take stock of both types of purchases. And the ones that are causing trouble? Kick ’em to the curb this year. Like these.
1. Bottled water
More than 92% of the U.S. population is served by a safe community water source. So the vast majority of folks drinking bottled water are likely doing so because of taste, not safety.
Instead of wasting money (and creating waste), upgrade to a home filter system and a good reusable water bottle. Pitcher filters, built-in refrigerator filters, faucet filters, whole-home filters — there are tons of ways to make it fit your needs and budget.
As for water on the go, simply keep your eyes peeled while you’re out. Many public spaces, including airports, venues, and stores, will offer filtered water fountains (typically located by the restrooms).
2. Amazon Prime
While I don’t have a hard stat on this one, I’d place a healthy bet that most Amazon Prime members are spending way too much money on Amazon. There’s something about one-click shipping that makes you think, “Why not?”
Another issue? It trains you to go to Amazon first, without even glancing at any other retailer. This may have been fine 10 years ago when Amazon was cheap — but now Amazon is cheap, as in full of junk, and yet somehow still expensive.
It’s rare that Amazon actually has a price much lower than what I can find locally, and that’s especially true for brand-name items. (Shoutout to Costco.) It’s also assuming you don’t get a fake or counterfeit item, which is a growing risk with Amazon listings.
Save yourself the $139 annual fee — plus however much you don’t overspend — and cancel Prime this year.
3. Meat every meal
I’ll be the last person to suggest anyone give up meat cold turkey (pun intended). I certainly haven’t. However, we have embraced semi-regular meatless dinners in our house. We’ve also started to reduce how much meat we eat per meal, replacing it with larger portions of veggies.
Here’s my reasoning for adding meat to my buy-less list:
- Fatty and processed meats are known to cause heart disease and cancer. A plant-forward diet is better for your mental and physical health.
- Meat production results in twice as many greenhouse gasses as plant-based foods. Reducing how much meat we eat is one of the best ways we can fight climate change on an individual level.
- Meat is expensive. I spend less at the grocery store when I buy less meat.
I know that my first two points won’t move most — or even that many — folks. But that last one will hit you right in the pocketbook. Have you seen the price of beef? A pound of ground beef at my local market is more than $6!
Seasonal and/or frozen vegetables and dried beans are surprisingly versatile (and delicious), and you can usually buy them in bulk for a fraction of your meat budget. Beans plus rice is also a complete protein, so you’re not going to miss out on that important nutrient.
4. Poor-quality clothing (also known as “fast fashion”)
Fast fashion is bad for our budgets — the average household spends more than $110 a month on apparel — it’s bad for the environment, and it has frankly ruined thrift stores. So I’m putting it firmly on my “No Buy” list this year.
“In season” is for produce, not pants.
Well-made clothing costs a bit more upfront, but it will last for years with proper care. Since you don’t need to keep buying a new one every few months, you’re coming out ahead. (You can also get it tailored to fit without worrying that it will fall apart in the tailor’s hands!)
Plus, people can see quality. The nicest piece of knock-off fast fashion from the big box store will never look as good as a well-made piece of clothing, especially if it’s been tailored to fit you.
5. New tech
Everything new is old again. Most of us are guilty of pondering that upgrade every time our two-year-old tech takes too long to load a video or website. But even if you go top-of-the-line this time, it’ll lose its shine in a few months when yet another new model comes out.
Before you spend $1,000 or more on a new device, see what you can do to zhuzh up your old one. Is it running slow? Clear out older data — you should regularly backup photos and videos anyway, just in case — and delete apps/programs you haven’t used in a while. Just tired of looking at it? Get a new case, something with pizzazz.
At the end of the day, even if it’s a little slower than you may want, chances are good your current tech still does the job. And you know what, if you get a little too frustrated by those loading wheels? Consider it a sign. Put the device down and step away for a while.
I’m a big fan of spending money that improves our quality of life. But some items only appear to make things better on the surface. In reality, your gain is likely a lot less than you think. Consider how these purchases are impacting your own life, and whether your money is better spent elsewhere.
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