7 Stupid Things We Waste Money On and Shouldn't
Not doing these things any longer will only add money to your wallet.
Have you ever thought about the money you and your family waste on an annual basis without thinking about it yet you are wondering why you don't ever seem to have enough money in the bank living paycheck-to-paycheck?
What if you found out there was a way you can omit these money wasters from your life saving you hundreds of dollars while giving you the extra money you need to eventually pay off your bills and become debt-free?
I'm about to show you the seven stupid things people waste their hard-earned money on but shouldn't:
1. Timeshares
This is one of the stupidest things people have wasted their money on and they have lived to regret it. Timeshares are never a good idea and the salespeople that sell them on a regular basis know it (but they won’t tell you because they get a nice size commish for telling you otherwise). Now I know you’ll probably argue with me on this one but allow me to share with you why it’s such a bad investment:
A. They are nearly impossible to get out of.
B. The yearly maintenance fees continue to rise and it’s indefinite once you own the timeshare.
C. Timeshares depreciate. They don’t hold any value if you decide to sell them later on.
D. It’s not an income generator-it’s only an expense.
Timeshares are now point-based and even the points depreciate. Who wants to buy a toilet seat with their vacation points if they are unable to go on vacation that year? Not me. I want my money to go towards another vacation, not some random item in a catalog.
This is just a few of the MANY reasons why it’s stupid to waste your money on a timeshare not to mention that the contracts themselves are a personal nightmare as well as the enormous cancellation fee if you decide to terminate one(and good luck with that).
2. Unused gym memberships
If you're not going to commit to going to the gym every other day or week, it's not a really good idea for you to hold onto a gym membership paying those monthly fees. If you're not actually sure you would get great use out of a treadmill or an exercise bike, start out your exercising regimen by doing some daily walking or jogging. If you find out later on that a gym membership would be worth the purchase and you would well get your money out of one, then at that point, you can sign up for one. Otherwise, don't waste your time or money on good intentions. I've seen people check out their bank or credit card statements forgetting all about their gym membership they once set up a few years ago. All of that money went to waste on something they hardly ever used.
3. Paid apps
Think twice before you start spending a bunch of money on paid apps. There are many free games online and free versions of apps that are just as good if not better than the paid ones. Don't go crazy by purchasing each and every single app out there. It's a total waste of money(and it's stupid!)
4. Energy drinks
If you want to start saving lots of money, then you may want to kick the habit and start avoiding buying energy drinks. They are ridiculously expensive and you probably already know that in order to keep that 'buzz' going throughout the day, oftentimes you have to drink more than one which costs you even more money. If you are not staying energized, it may mean you are not getting enough sleep or you may be experiencing some unknown health issues. Check with your doctor to see what he thinks because you might be able to find out what the cause is and fix your energy-drinking money-wasting problem.
5. Unnecessary bank fees
Don't be lazy and regularly check your bank statements. You may be paying unnecessary fees like ATM fees or overdraft fees. These things can be fixable so be aware of how you do your banking. It will help you keep some cash in there.
6. Lottery tickets
Wasting money on a 'chance' is simply...a waste. There is a slim chance to none that you're going to win the lottery. If you absolutely want to do this, then try to cut back on it. You don't always have to buy one on Friday and another one on Wednesday. You'll be surprised on how much money you will save by skipping the gas station lines to purchase those lottery tickets.
7. Traffic tickets
These can be totally avoided if the laws were obeyed. You can save hundreds of dollars by driving the speed limit. If you're in a hurry to get to work, make sure you get up early enough and get ready quick enough so you have plenty of time to get there without speeding like a she-demon.
About the Creator
Kathy Lester
I'm a published author with two major publishers, a graphic designer, co-founder of Madcap Toys, a mom to three adult sons and a Nana to five grandchildren. If you like what you are reading, send me a gift or tip.
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