What if I were to tell you that there is probably a whole list of things in your life right now that you are paying too much for? Unfortunately, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. But the good news is, there are cheaper alternatives!
So check out our list of 8 everyday things you might be overpaying for and some ideas for cheaper alternatives. So get out there and cut the cable! Quit those snack bars! You know… just make a change!
1) Cable. In this day and age with so many streaming options, there isn’t much of a reason to be paying for expensive cable, which will cost you up to $1,800 per year if you get the full package! Check out this post on the different options and find out what is right for you.
2) Music. Just like movies and television, there are a ton of alternative options to listening to music these days that won’t cost you a ton of money. Not only do you no longer need to go out and buy a physical CD anymore, but you don’t even need to pay a bunch of downloads from iTunes or Amazon. Check out this post on the best budget-friendly streaming option for you.
3) Snacks. If you are one of the many Americans who have jumped on the “healthy” snack bar bandwagon, you might not only be overpaying, but you might also be getting more sugar than you think. The Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Nut Granola Bar, for example, has 11 grams of sugar, 170 calories, and no significant source of vitamins, fiber, or even protein. You might as well be eating a candy bar; and a box of these sugary treats will run you about $4.00! Check out our post for some inexpensive and healthy snack alternatives.
4) Coffee. If you’re buying your beloved latte everyday at around $3, you’re spending about $1,100 on coffee per year! Unfortunately, while you’re certainly saving money by brewing at home, it might not be as much as you’d like. Over the past year, coffee prices have gone up by about $1.00/pound! To maximize your at-home cup of joe, check out this article.
5) Bottled Water. We’re not advocating cutting back on the water—as a matter of fact, most people can probably do to drink even more (This just in: According to Mayo Clinic, for men the recommended amount is about 13 glasses a day; for women it is about 9.) So rather than paying $2 per bottle—about $13 per day—just buy an inexpensive water filter and refill your cup or bottle throughout the day. Filters start as low as $9 at Walmart.
6) Fruits and Veggies. If you buy prewashed, precut, and prepackaged veggies or fruits for the convenience, well, you’re paying for it. Broccoli florets and sliced peppers cost around $6 per pound, compared to just half that price for the whole veggies. You can even save up to 75% buy simply buying whole strawberries rather than pre-cut ones, and honestly, how hard is it to cut a strawberry?! Check out this post with more tips on maximizing your money at the grocery store.
7) Household cleaning supplies. You can easily spend $3-5 on a simple bottle of Windex, or you can make your own. By making your own cleaning supplies, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also being more environmentally conscious, without all those harsh chemicals. Check out how here.
8) Extended Warranties. Granted, there are some extended warranties that make good sense, but come on, buying a warranty for a cheap microwave? It doesn’t add up. As the editor of Consumer Reports, Tod Marks put it, “You’re betting the product is going to break at exactly the same period between when the manufacturer’s warranty expires… You’re also betting that the cost of the repair is going to be more than the cost of the warranty… You’re also betting that you’ll want to get it fixed… It doesn’t make sense to get a warranty on something that could easily be replaced out of pocket.” Check out this post on when it’s worth it to get that warranty, and when it’s just a waste of money.
Can you think of anything to add to this list? Comment below!
Photos Courtesy of: angelrravelor, fluffisch, Incase, visualpanic, Diego3336, DeeJayTee23, Lenny Montana, jmv
Sources: TimeWarnerCable.com, Kiplinger.com, Mint.com/blog, MayoClinic.com, Prevention.com, Walmart.com, Google.com, DailyFinance.com
