10 Ways to Stop Wasting Money Without Feeling Cheap

In partnership with

Thought

Forehead-slapping epiphany: I was working hard to earn money, then spending it on things that didn’t actually make me any happier. I was basically trading my time—the one resource you can’t get back—for stuff I barely used or didn’t need.

What if I could spend less and, in turn, work less? What if I could eliminate the nonsense that wasn’t adding value and start organizing my finances in a way that gave me back time and freedom, rather than just accumulating stuff? Let’s explore a few ways to spend smarter, save more, and, most importantly, live better.

Scoop

Here goes a checklist of 10 for you:

1. Cancel Unused Subscriptions You Forgot About

Here’s a fun experiment: go through your credit card statements from the past few months and highlight every subscription. You’ll probably find at least one you forgot you had. Maybe a couple of them. Cancel those. Reclaim your hard-earned cash from that subscription treadmill you didn’t realize you were running on.

2. Stop Buying Cheap Crap That Breaks

We all love a good bargain, but here’s the deal: buying cheap stuff usually means you’ll have to buy it again. And again. Spend a little extra upfront on quality, and you’ll replace things less often. That $20 hoodie might feel like a win today, but it’ll look like roadkill after a couple of washes. Buy once, cry once.

3. Avoid Expensive Convenience Foods

Pre-cut veggies, single-serve snacks, $15 salads—these are sneaky budget killers. Convenience food is just a tax on busy lives. Instead, buy whole foods, prep a bit on Sundays, and feel like a kitchen ninja who’s figured out how to beat the system. You’ll save cash, eat healthier, and never have to shell out $8 for pre-chopped onions again.

4. Shop Around for Car Insurance

Auto-renew is easy, but it’s also lazy. And it’s probably costing you. Sites like Compare.com let you check rates from 70+ insurers in minutes. Yes, minutes. I’m talking potential savings of hundreds of dollars for a few clicks. Spend five minutes now; reap the benefits all year.

Car Insurance rates are as low as ever.

✓ Real-time, accurate quotes
✓ We partner with 70+ top auto insurers
✓ Rated 4.7/5 stars on Shopper Approved®

Get Your Quote in Minutes

5. Cut Down on Emotional Shopping

Impulse buys aren’t about need—they’re about emotion. Retail therapy might feel good for five minutes, but that crap you bought won’t. Find a healthier outlet when you’re stressed. Go for a run, call a friend, punch a pillow—whatever works. The goal is to feel good without throwing money at stuff you’ll forget about in a week.

6. Say No to Extended Warranties

Retailers love pushing extended warranties. They’re banking on you never actually needing them. Nine times out of ten, they’re a waste. Unless you’re buying a used time machine or a chainsaw you plan to use daily, skip it. Put that money in a little “repair fund” instead and thank yourself later.

7. Ditch the Daily Lattes

This isn’t about giving up coffee, okay? It’s about rethinking your caffeine strategy. Instead of $5 a day at the coffee shop, get yourself a killer coffee maker and buy quality beans. You’ll save hundreds over a year and can treat yourself to a latte when it’s actually an occasion, not just because it’s Tuesday.

8. Monitor Your Energy Usage Like a Hawk

You’d be surprised how much electricity you’re wasting. Switch to LED bulbs, get a programmable thermostat, or even a smart plug to turn off appliances when you’re not using them. It’s a small upfront investment that can shave real dollars off your bill every month.

9. Reconsider Big Cable Packages

If you’re not watching it, why pay for it? Take stock of what you actually watch, then cut down to the essentials. With a few well-chosen streaming services, you can still catch all your favorite shows without hemorrhaging money on channels you’ll never watch.

10. Get Paid for the Stuff You’d Buy Anyway

This one’s simple. Apps like Rakuten and Honey give you cash back for everyday purchases. I’m talking groceries, clothes, even booking travel. If you’re spending the money anyway, you might as well get a little back. It’s free money for minimal effort.

Resources

For a fresh dose of perspective on money, check out the TED Talk “Does Money Make You Mean” by Paul Piff. Or, if podcasts are your thing, The Tim Ferriss Show regularly dives into how top performers think about money, spending, and optimizing their lives. You don’t have to go full minimalist, but these resources will have you rethinking what actually brings you value.

Last Word

Cutting out wasteful spending isn’t about depriving yourself—it’s about trading a little less “stuff” for a lot more freedom. The best part? Once you start, you’ll probably realize you don’t even miss the things you’ve cut out. Reclaim that time, take back that money, and remember: you’re doing it for the things that actually matter.

+1% each day