Are you looking for ways to cut back your spending? While you may follow obvious money-saving tips, certain expenses are often overlooked. You are probably unknowingly spending on things that are unnecessary and overpriced. Here are some expenses you should exclude from your next shopping list.
Coffee pods
Coffee pods are certainly an efficient way to make a cup of coffee; however, billions of coffee pods end up in landfills every year and you are contributing to that number. Instead, switch to reusable pods that you can fill with your choice of ground coffee. Alternatively, you can also use a French press to brew your coffee.
Costly energy plans
When was the last time you looked at your energy plans? The energy market is volatile with prices that are constantly changing. It’s quite possible that you are currently on a costly plan and paying more than you need to. We suggest heading over to Electricity Wizard to compare energy providers in your area and switch to a competitively-priced plan. This is also an opportunity to further lower your carbon footprint by opting for an energy plan that offers GreenPower.
Brand name products
There’s no doubt that some brand-name products offer better quality, but that’s not always the case. From wardrobe essentials to pantry staples, you can save more by sticking to unbranded products. They are not that different in terms of quality but come at a lower price.
Multiple grocery trips
Do you go to the grocery store every other day? Frequent grocery trips make you susceptible to buying things you don’t need. It would be better to buy groceries in bulk every week. This could make you eligible for greater discounts.
Cleaning supplies
Some people may argue that cleaning supplies are necessary to maintain a hygienic living space and that is absolutely true. That doesn’t mean you have to spend much on store-bought cleaning supplies though, when you can easily make them using household ingredients. This is also a way to control the ingredients and ensure eco-friendliness.
Trendy fashion
In the past couple of months, Y2K fashion (fashion from the early 2000s) has made a comeback – but is that really your style? Don’t let Instagram influencers encourage you to spend a fortune on flared jeans, wedge heels, and strappy tops that you have no intention of wearing.
Skincare
Skincare has gained a cult following in the past few years. Social media stars and ‘TikTok’ dermatologists will try to convince you to splurge on high-priced skincare products. Don’t buy products you barely know anything about, stick to a basic skincare regimen.
Pre-cut produce
With a busy schedule, buying something like pre-cut produce probably helps you save a little time, but pre-cut produce is never as fresh as whole vegetables. You are basically paying extra for products that don’t taste good.
You can increase your savings by purchasing uncut produce. When cooking time is concerned, we suggest peeling and cutting all vegetables at once to speed things up.
Morning beverage
Buying a coffee on your way to work may not seem like a huge expense, but it adds up over time. You easily avoid paying for expensive morning beverages by making them at home.
Health fads
One day the internet is obsessed with a Keto diet plan and the next it moves on to drinking immunity booster shots every morning. While there are a few trends that may have some truth to them, you don’t have to follow every health fad. Rather than experimenting with diets that you don’t know much about, consult a nutritionist to find a suitable plan.
The bottom line
In addition to being unnecessarily priced, some of the expenses mentioned above are harmful to the environment; therefore, on your mission to lower your monthly spending, you’ll also make some green lifestyle changes. It’s a win-win.