How Cutting Out Small Expenses Can Equal Big Savings

The little things can really add up. Have you ever heard of the “Latte Effect”? It’s what some personal finance experts call unnecessary daily spending. Meaning you can save “X” amount of dollars per year by skipping your daily latte, cigarettes, bottled water, etc.

Sometimes we forget to add the small expenditures into our budgets because “it’s only $2.50!” but that $2.50 a day for coffee adds up to be $840.00 a year. Who couldn’t use an extra $840.00? We are going to share some tips and ideas that will help you save money by cutting out some small expenses.

Ways to decrease small expenses to save money – 

1. Create a budget to keep track of ALL expenses, even the small ones.
2. Cancel any subscriptions you don’t really need such as magazines, food delivery, e-books, clothing, pet supplies, etc.
3. Ask your utility company to perform an energy audit of your home to show how to save energy consumption and cut down your monthly bills.
4. Set the water heater to the lowest acceptable temperature (approx. 140°).
5. Eliminate premium cable and extra phone services. Look into “cutting the cable cord” altogether and just do streaming.
6. Comparison shop for insurance and ask how to receive special discounts and save money.
7. When shopping for food, look for advertised store specials or buy the generic brand. Never shop for food on an empty stomach. You’ll end up spending anywhere from 10-25% more.
8. Avoid costly convenience stores and convenience foods. The vending machine at work is also a good thing to avoid. Just bring your own snacks from home.
9. Use coupons and rebates when shopping for anything. Look online for Promo codes or deals. You can also sign up for coupon sites like Groupon, Living Social, and Google Offers.
10. Drink water, iced tea, hot tea or drink mixes instead of more expensive beverages, i.e. soda from a vending machine, energy drinks, and expensive lattes.
11. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about generic equivalents for your prescription drugs.
12. Browse clothing thrift shops and consignment shops for your clothing and other items. Even if it’s just for accessories like belts, scarves, and hats.
13. Cut back on expensive gifts; shop year-round at sales to stock up on holiday, baby shower, wedding, and birthday gifts.
14. Discover great “finds” at yard sales and garage sales, but check the items carefully and stick to things you need, not things you want.

There are many ways to cut back on the small things and save money. You have to find what works best for you. Understanding the difference between a “need” and a “want” is the first step. It’s all about making smart financial decisions that will save you money. We hope that these tips and ideas can help you in the future.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only. The materials are general in nature, and are not offered as advice or guarantee, and should not be relied upon without advice from an attorney or a financial advisor. Reading the information does not constitute a legal contract, consulting, or any other relationship with Advantage Credit Counseling Service.