6 Things to Stop Paying for Immediately

Regardless of how much money you make per year, you should always make it a priority to put money aside for the future. Maybe you are already doing this, but here are a few tips to help you save even more money. Cut your expenses by refusing to buy these 6 things.

1. DVDs

The average cost of a DVD is around $20. Sometimes you can find sales advertising DVDs for $5, but that is still not a deal. How many times do you watch a movie more than once? If the movie is something you know you will watch over and over, then go for it. But if you are just buying it to see what it’s about, then don’t. With services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, you can eventually watch the movie for free, or pay a few dollars if it is not available to stream (but in that case I recommend watching something else).

You know the drill: you buy the movie, take it home, watch it once, and then let it take up space while collecting dust on a shelf. Save money (hundreds of dollars a year for most people) and spare the extra junk sitting around your home: rent or stream movies if you so desire.

2. Books

Don’t get me wrong: I thoroughly enjoy books. But, I can’t justify spending $15-$20+ on a book that I will read once. To satisfy my reading appetite, I hit up my local library. Unlimited books on all topics at no cost to me! And, no junk taking up space on my shelves when I am done! Think about your own house. How much money do you think you have spent on books over the years that now just sit on a shelf?

3. Cable TV

You still have cable TV? There are so many cheaper services now to choose from such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling TV and the list goes on. With all these services available, does it really make sense to spend $100+ a month just to be able to watch a few shows? (Chances are you are probably working full time to support your cable bill so you probably don’t have that much time to watch TV anyway). Think about it; if you could save over $100 a month just by cutting cable, how much earlier could you achieve financial independence and retire?

4. Expensive (or too many) clothes

Most Americans have more clothes than they know what to do with. Closets packed to the brim, drawers overflowing, storage boxes under the bed. Yet we still go out and buy more! Why? Think about your own shopping habits? How frequently do you shop?

Let’s say you make $20 an hour. You like to go shopping about twice a month. Each time you shop, you buy 2 shirts at $30 a piece and a pair of pants at $50. Then twice a year you treat yourself to a luxury item (coat, dress, etc) valued at $200. These purchases don’t seem so bad when you buy them individually, but if you look at your entire year, you would have just spent over $3000! At your $20 an hour job, that just cost you 150 hours of your working life.

For my own budget, I aim to shop ONLY when I need something, not just to go shopping. And I always make a point of checking out the Goodwill or Thrift store first to see what they have. Let me tell you- that simple lifestyle change has allowed me to save a ton of money.

5. Movie tickets

Most movie theaters nowadays charge at least $10 for a ticket. That’s pretty absurd amount to pay just to sit on your butt for 2 hours. You could save hundreds of dollars per year by streaming movies or finding another social outlet. Looking for something to do with your friends this weekend? Check out your local parks for free entertainment (biking, trails, lakes etc if it’s warm) or opt for a game-night in at someone’s house.

6. Single greeting cards

Grandma’s birthday - $5.99

Father’s Day- $6.99

Valentines Day- $7.99

Greeting cards are pretty expensive. And buying individual cards throughout the year can really add up. Instead, opt for buying bulk cards that you can write your own message in, or create your own. There is really no reason to spend as much as you would on lunch for a card that will ultimately get thrown away.

Well there you have it. I hope that by stopping your purchase of these 6 items, you will help yourself reach financial independence faster. And remember, the less you buy=less waste= more money for you= Better Lifestyles, Greater Planet.