12 Subtle Ways You May Be Wasting Money Without Realizing It

My biggest way to save money is to buy second-hand. I have found items that were purchased but never used by their original owner, and the cost was a fraction of buying new. I have a really good quality winter coat and leather bag that I could never have afforded to buy 'new', yet buying them as 'unused secondhand' (still with store price tags attached) they were as cheap as low-quality 'last for one season only' items.

We only eat out for our birthdays and wedding anniversary. Because it happens so rarely, even if we go somewhere fairly cheap, it's still a real treat. I know people who eat out every week and it's so much harder (and more expensive) for them to find somewhere 'special' for a big occasion.

I have no idea how old my jeans are. I do know they are Vanderbilt's. I keep my heat set at 66°. My husband pops popcorn for lunch. His coworkers are always surprised. He has never eaten out for lunch. Credit card debt doesn't exist in our house. My dog eats our leftovers that dont get taken for the next days lunches as well as high quality dog food. My cellphone is a Motorola. I paid $150 for it cash. It is a cheap phone that does the same thing an Apple phone does for 1/4 the money. We just paid off our house. We live like we're poor so we can be rich someday.

I am so glad I found your channel, you have some life altering lessons that will make your life more structured and your finances better! Even to how you speak about managing your health🙏❤

We keep our MN winter heat set at 60 when we are home and 50 when we are gone and at night.
When we dress right for the lower temperature, it becomes easy to be comfortable.

Meal planning is the key to financial success, I’m convinced of it!!

Drive the speed limit, park wisely…..tickets are really expensive! Such an easy way to not waste your money!

Great video. Remember to save water & not waste it.

Also buy local where possible to save fuel & support locals.

Great list of reminders. My BIG ONE was this summer…I live in always hot Florida…during the extreme heat wave the entire country struggled with my AC couldn’t keep it…it would not cool below 78 F during the day. I had been accustomed to keeping it at 72 because I work from home and like it cold in the house…eventually it crept up to 82 then 85 then finally died. I got used to living this way - with fans blowing on me until they could replace my AC. I decided to turn out keeping it at 78 and realized what a relief that was over the 80’s I’d been living with for weeks…now, I keep it at 76-78 during the day and am both comfortable AND am saving 125 bucks per month!

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here’s what i do to thrive financially: i go thrifting for my clothes (bonus: no one else has my pieces), i don’t have children, i’m a minimalist, i have roommates, i should lowkey cancel my gym membership, we keep the air off when possible, i drink at home, i shop at walmart for groceries typically the great value brand when possible, i have cooking skills so i don’t have to eat out often. thanks for the video

It is a pleasure being part of this community Joshua. Thank you for your ongoing motivational and inspirational videos. I don't know if you have a video on this topic, but would love to have some ideas on how do you both simplify your breakfast, lunch and dinners. Only if it is not too much pressure. Thank you 🙏.

I go to gym regularly with my husband works for me.

Clothes I buy cheap bcs I can't seem to spend buying 1 when I can my all cps wardrobe. I don't want to wear my clothes longer then 2 years I get tired.

We eat out my husband loves it movies we do it once a month its about experiences for us.

I do see my doctor regularly.

Thank you so much I did

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I’ve saved $300 in 2 months by not going thrifting. Pre-my new minimalist journey I thought buying thrifted items for a few $’s was nothing. Well I proved that to be very wrong. I no longer thrift after decluttering my cottage. I’ll just replace things as i need.

Merci.

Thankyou josh

That is a huge kitchen!

Thank you for suggesting to check for reoccurring subscriptions.

It's the big items that have the biggest effect on saving money: Housing, Transportation, and Food. However, it can be easier to get started with small ticket items such as cancelling subscriptions, changing insurance plans, etc.

Lol I don’t spend money on any of those examples but still have no money 😂😂😂

Great steps towards saving money. Good to be reminded of these. Also, you have the best hair ever!

Sage of America

Get rid of credit cards. No buts, no why’s. Its stupid.

thank you!!

I don't see eating out as to be a treat. The best thing is to cook yourself. You know what you are getting.

I’ve had a lot of luck canceling subscriptions to streaming and then they give you their best and lowest deal while trying to unsubscribe. I also get free Carwashes just by following those companions and Facebook. I’m trying to get rid of anything reoccurring in general and simplify my life.

In the past 8 years I have bought only two pair of jeans. I have many tops which I wear daily and still in good condition.

I agree with Joshua and all comments made.There are many ways to cut costs. I am on disability living on 914$ a month. I cut cable using antenna found program that pays for WiFi. I do pay 10$ a month for Netflix.that is my monthly bill 10$ for cable and internet

I could get

I love yard sales and thrift stores!! You can find great items at a much lower price than buying new!!

A dangerous ideology

I love buying art and cloths, hate cooking

I have 5 bedrooms house, I rent out 4 bedrooms to international students and I earn $4800/month

Great reminders - with so many things coming in electronically it is important to know what you are signed up for -- I keep a quick spreadsheet so I know what I have and when to renew and how to cancel

Since putting 3 9" x 13" low side plastic bins on the shelves in my fridge, I have "lost" very little food.

I often use a home delivery service for groceries. Even though there is a fee, there’s no temptation of impulse purchases by walking through the grocery store.

We eat out twice a month and use our credit card points for restaurant gift cards. We pay off our cards every month. It’s a win win. 😊 I do ALL of these. And in the process of eating up what I have before buying more. 😊

Thanks Joshua!

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Bravo!!

Awesome video Joshua 😊

Thank you Joshua Becker. I found you from Dawn, the Minimal Mom. What a bonus!

Making eating out an occasional treat makes it matter more to me.😊

Love these tips!
I recently heard a tip that has changed my approach to buying (especially silly decorations): If someone offered you this item or the money it costs, which would you pick?
I must have saved hundreds of moneyz this way already 🙃

Cooking my own food I control what goes into it. So many on line cooks to learn how to, there’s no excuse. It does require planning though (I don’t use prepackaged food and not a fan of canned food). I have staples I make often. I also find recipes to use up what I have in fridge. My last 20 years of full time employment I brought meals and drinks to work. I saved so much time and money, and able to maintain reasonable weight.

Thanks Joshua. Really useful money saving ideas.

2007 tossed alcohol
2009 tossed tobacco,fast food, all TVs
2011 tossed meat & fish
2013 tossed dairy, eggs, honey
2016 tossed the car & laptop

Saving before spending. I love it. I am thankful for your insights. I try to live them step by step and not Fall in old habit. It is certainly the way to more freedom and Real happiness. I am also journaling in order to be confrontvof the true and finding out why I can overspending. Thank you. God bless