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Who doesn’t want to have even more money left over after the end of each month? One of the best ways to do this is by cutting out unnecessary bills – and wow, there are a lot of them!
I’m also guilty of spending money on bills I don’t use or don’t need. But what are they? What can you cut out in your life to save money?
For these unnecessary bills, I looked into my own life and chose bills that I’d cut out. I promise you won’t miss them. Continue reading to learn about nine unnecessary bills you should stop paying this year to save money.
1. Unused Subscriptions
How many times have you signed up for a free trial only to forget to cancel? In my case, way too many times. I once paid for a Google Play Gaming Pass for a year before canceling it.
Don’t be like me. Look through your bank statements and highlight all your subscriptions. You can also use apps that track your spending, like RocketMoney. Depending on the subscription, they can even cancel unwanted or unused subscriptions for you.
2. Extra Data
Embarrassingly, I caved into a persuasive phone salesman to upgrade for extra phone data for ‘simply’ $10 a month. But is it really ‘simply’? Not exactly. That $10 added up quickly. In one year, I paid $120 for data I never actually used.
If you already have unlimited data and access to the internet, skip taking on additional data charges to your phone bill. While an extra $10 a month won’t make you rich, phone companies don’t need more of your hard-earned money.
3. Unnecessary Insurance
Did anybody else’s family preach the importance of insurance? While you should try to enroll in health and car insurance, not all insurance types are necessary.
Some insurance policies you’ll do better without include extended warranties and flood insurance. Of course, this depends on where you live. If you live in a flood zone, get car insurance. But if you’re not in a flood zone, save the extra money.
4. Gaming Subscriptions
By all means, enjoy your hobbies, but don’t go overboard with unnecessary bills for things you won’t use. Gaming subscriptions sound like an excellent idea until suddenly, you only use your PS5 once or twice a month.
My partner used to subscribe to PlayStation Plus. It seemed like such a good deal until he slowly stopped playing as much. He subscribed to PlayStation Plus for one year, but he only downloaded two games. It would’ve been cheaper to buy the games used.
5. Food Delivery Subscriptions
I’ve gotten rid of all food delivery apps for a reason. They are so convenient but way too expensive. Even the price of each meal, not including tip or delivery fee, is more expensive than the price in-store.
While it sounds like a good idea to subscribe to UberEats or DoorDash for savings, it just temps you to order. If you want my advice, delete the apps. According to a LendingTree survey, the average user spends about $407 a month on food delivery. You could use that $400 for groceries or savings.
6. Cable
Cable use has been down for decades. It’s so much easier to subscribe to a streaming service. You get to watch all your favorite shows on your time and, in some cases, with no ads.
Cutting cable from your life can really save you money. According to U.S. News, the average monthly cable bill in the United States is $217.42 per month. Imagine saving an extra $200 a month!
7. Late Fees
Don’t waste your money on late fees. I know sometimes that’s easier said than done, but if you can help it, don’t give your money to financial institutions. They have plenty of their own.
I used to be really bad about this. Time flies by quickly. What helped me was putting everything on automatic payments and writing down all my bills in a planner. Still, don’t feel bad if you miss a payment. About 37% of Americans had a late payment within 12 months.
8. Credit Card Interest
Do you know what else you shouldn’t pay in 2024? I’ll tell you – high credit card interest. Credit card interest is ridiculously high. One of my cards has an interest rate of 31%, but I’ve seen a lot higher.
Before the start of your new statement, pay the entire balance of your credit card to avoid added interest. If your balance is too high and you’re on a debt payoff journey, consider a balance transfer card with 0% interest.
9. Streaming Services
Last but not least are streaming services. Now, before you yell at me, I’m not telling you to get rid of every streaming service. I’m a huge movie and TV show consumer myself.
While you shouldn’t eliminate all streaming services, eliminate the ones you rarely use. Why pay for five or six streaming sites instead of two? Paying for five or more is basically the price of cable.
18 Ways to Save Without Sacrificing Life and Happiness
Do you want a new perspective on saving money? If you think this is another article telling you to skip your morning coffee or give up dining out, then let us tell you—it’s not! This blog post discusses 18 innovative and painless ways to save cash without sacrificing the things that make you happy. We believe that a good life isn’t about cutting back on everything you love but about making smarter decisions with what you have. So, if you’re ready to start saving without compromising your lifestyle or happiness, dive right in!
Timeless Wisdom: 20 Seinfeld Quotes That Perfectly Capture Life’s Quirks
Enter the quirky, fast-paced world of “Seinfeld,” a sitcom that entertained and offered a treasure trove of timeless quotes. From “No soup for you!” to “Yada, yada, yada,” these lines have transcended eras, encapsulating life’s quirks with wit and precision. In this collection, discover 21 ageless Seinfeld quotes that effortlessly encapsulate the essence of everyday situations, proving that the show’s humor and insight continue to resonate, remaining as relevant now as they were during their first hilariously unforgettable airing. Thanks, Jerry, for your insight…
