People frequently underestimate the importance of minor expenses. This is why we frequently have the impression that in order to save money, we must reduce certain types of expenses. However, most of the time, what we really need to do is analyze our habits and look for cheaper alternatives. And, in some cases, this can be beneficial for reasons other than saving money.
Liquid soap
Many people prefer liquid soap to traditional soap bars. However, there are no compelling reasons to pay more for liquid soap. There are many soaps that do not dry out the skin, and there is no evidence that soap bars can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Of course, bars of soap are much less expensive to purchase, so they are a better option if you are trying to save money.
Buying food in advance
Offers and discounts frequently entice us to purchase more than we actually require. In the end, we throw away some of the foods we buy, negating any benefits from these discounts. There are numerous ways to prevent this from occurring. You can make a shopping list (to avoid impulsive purchases), buy some frozen vegetables, and plan your menu for the following week.
Paper towels
The idea of paper towels to clean surfaces, such as kitchen counters, is tempting, but if you need to save money, it’s obviously not the best option. It might not seem like a big deal, but in the long-term, it’s much cheaper to use microfiber towels.
Cotton swabs
Usually, to remove makeup, you need more than one cotton swab, so you go through packs of them very quickly, making it so you have to buy new ones at least once every few weeks. But there are better options now, such as swabs you can use every day. They could be made of bamboo, microfiber, or flannel, and you can wash them after each use.
Clothes for special occasions
Deep in everyone’s drawers, there are outfits that are no longer trendy, and sometimes, it may be hard to find the clothes we’ve never worn yet. According to studies, a modern person buys 60% more clothes than they did just 15 years ago. At the same time, we know that about 12% of clothes in women’s wardrobes are not used at all. All of this points to the fact that we should shop way more critically. For example, you can consider the idea of a capsule wardrobe, which can cut down on how many clothing items you buy.
Pre-prepared steaks and salads
Meat and fish fillets, pre-cut vegetables, and salad mixes are some of the most prominent examples of marketers and manufacturers making money off our laziness. Despite saving lots of time and energy, it’s not cheap to buy such foods all the time. More than that, washed vegetables have a much shorter shelf life, and some washed and cut fruits have fewer nutrients because they come into contact with oxygen.
Bottled water
Purchasing a bottle of water is far less expensive than purchasing a filter in the short term. However, filters are clearly less expensive in the long run. Of course, the frequency with which you change filters is largely determined by the quality of water in your area. However, filters should be changed once or twice a year on average, so this is unquestionably a less expensive option.
Gym memberships
Buying a year’s gym membership and ignoring it later is a very popular problem. According to studies, by the end of each year, about 37% of people make resolutions to work out more. But studies also show that more than 50% of people that buy gym memberships don’t actually go to the gym. So what’s the point of paying for the membership when you know you’re not going to exercise? Choose a type of exercise you enjoy and stick to it.
Useless beauty products
Anti-cellulite scrubs, lower eyelashes mascara, single-colored shades — the beauty industry does a lot of things to amaze us and make us want to buy more and more products. This is why in order to save money, we have to be critical thinkers. It was proven a long time ago that the effect of anti-cellulite scrubs is a myth, and pallets of shades are better to buy, and there’s absolutely no point in buying mascara for the lower eyelashes only. Try to be more critical about the beauty products you’re buying.
Shampoos and shower gels in plastic bottles
Shower gels and shampoos are often sold in very thick bottles that could be used for a much longer time than the products inside them. This is why you don’t have to buy new bottles every time you need more and can opt for refills. Thanks to the soft packs, they are usually cheaper than ordinary products. More than that, if you have special bathroom dispensers, this is a great solution for you.
