Small things have a way of piling up until your money is leaving faster than you can make it.
You work too hard to let your paycheck slip away like water through a leaky faucet. The truth? Most of us waste money in ways we don’t even notice—on small habits, overlooked fees, or purchases that sounded good in the moment. But with a few smart shifts, you can stop wasting money and keep more of it working for you. Let’s plug those leaks once and for all.
You work hard for your money, but some days it feels like your paycheck has a secret escape route. It doesn’t march out the front door in one big lump—it slips away in dribbles. A forgotten return here, a subscription you meant to cancel there, maybe that “too good to pass up” deal that turned out not to be such a deal after all. Before long, your budget looks like it’s sprung more leaks than a dollar-store garden hose.
Why Learning How to Stop Wasting Money Matters
The problem is, most of these leaks don’t feel big in the moment. That $9 streaming service? Just a latte. The unused gym membership? Well, you might go next week. But added up month after month, those “small” habits can drain thousands from your bottom line every year.
The good news? Plugging the leaks doesn’t mean giving up everything fun or living like a monk. It’s about paying attention and being intentional. When you stop wasting money on things that don’t really matter to you, you free up more cash for the things that do, whether that’s paying down debt, building a travel fund, saving for retirement, or just enjoying life with less financial stress.
So, consider this your friendly nudge (or wake-up call, if you prefer). These practical tips will help you spot the money-wasters hiding in plain sight and redirect that hard-earned cash where it belongs—working for you, not against you.
1. Stop Buying from TV & Social Media Ads
Infomercials have always had one thing in common: they make products look absolutely incredible when demonstrated by a pitchman with perfect lighting and boundless enthusiasm. And yet in real life? They’re usually overpriced, underwhelming, and not nearly as life-changing as promised.
And it’s not just TV anymore. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are packed with “must-have” gadgets and miracle fixes that are just as tempting—and just as disappointing. The so-called “risk-free” trial periods often come with return shipping costs, sneaky restocking fees, or require more effort than most of us are willing to put in. Before you know it, you’ve paid more than the thing was ever worth.
Instead: Whenever you feel tempted, hit pause (literally or figuratively) and look up the item online. Chances are you’ll find it on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Amazon, sometimes brand new in the box, for a fraction of the price. Better yet, check reviews outside of the company’s own website. If thousands of people are reselling or leaving one-star reviews, ask yourself: “Why would I want to be the next person unloading this?” By the time you’ve done a quick reality check, the ad will be over, and your wallet will still be intact.
2. Stop Impulsive Crafting
Crafting can be pure joy, until your “joy” ends up living in dusty bins in the basement or stacked in the garage, untouched. Maybe it was the beading kit you bought on a whim, the scrapbooking haul from a home party that never left the bag, or that Cricut machine you just knew would pay for itself in handmade gifts, but mostly makes guilt every time you see it.
Instead: Test-drive new hobbies before committing your wallet. Sign up for a low-cost community class, borrow supplies from a crafty friend, or start with a small “starter kit” instead of a full craft store haul. A few hours of hands-on experience will tell you if it’s a lifelong passion or just a passing fancy. Bonus: you’ll avoid buying 42 skeins of yarn or another gadget that will never see the light of day.
3. Stop Failing to Return
It doesn’t fit right. The color is all wrong. The tag is still hanging there, silently mocking you every time you open the closet. But who has time to go back to the store?
You do.
Failing to return purchases is one of the fastest ways to waste money. That unworn sweater, unopened gadget, or duplicate kitchen tool isn’t just clutter. It’s cash you left on the table. Retailers know this, which is why they happily count on our laziness.
Instead: Try on or test everything the day you buy it. If it’s not perfect, re-bag it immediately with the receipt and keep it by the door. Better yet, schedule a quick “errand run” day each week so returns don’t pile up. For online orders, take advantage of free mail-back labels. Many retailers now let you drop items at UPS, Kohl’s, or even Whole Foods for Amazon. And yes, “regifting” is still a valid Plan B. Just make sure you don’t give it back to the person who gave it to you.
4. Stop Paying for Storage
Paying someone else to store your excess stuff is like sending money to the corner to think about what it’s done. Except instead of learning its lesson, it just sits there collecting dust, while draining your bank account.
The average renter pays $100–$150 a month. That’s more than $1,200 a year to hang on to things you probably don’t even miss. Multiply that over several years, and you could’ve taken a vacation, paid down debt, or fully funded a holiday fund.
Instead: Go on a decluttering spree. If you have years of family “heirlooms” (translation: boxes of mystery cables and old holiday décor), it’s time to pare down. Those tubs of kids’ clothes and baby gear might be worth reselling now instead of paying to store them. Your unused furniture or electronics can often find quick buyers on OfferUp, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace. Donate the rest to local charities or the Goodwill. Your budget will thank you, and so will your stress levels when you realize how freeing it feels to finally let it go.
5. Stop Ignoring Subscriptions
It’s not usually the big-ticket bills that sneak up on you. It’s the $7.99s and $14.99s. A streaming service here, a “must-have” app there, a premium membership you forgot you signed up for. Before long, you’re paying more than a full-blown cable package, and half of it you don’t even use.
Subscriptions are designed to be forgettable. That’s the business model. Companies count on you not noticing those small, automatic charges. The gym membership you haven’t used in six months, the meditation app you meant to try, or the “free trial” that quietly rolled over? They’re all draining your budget in the background.
Instead: Audit your subscriptions at least once a quarter. Pull up your bank or credit card statement and circle every repeat charge. Use a budgeting app (like YNAB, Monarch Money or Mint) if you’d rather let tech do the hunting for you. Cancel anything you haven’t touched in 30 days. You can always re-subscribe later if you miss it. And while you’re at it, look for family or shared plans. Splitting Netflix, Spotify, or Apple Music with trusted family members can cut those costs in half.
6. Stop Grocery Shopping Without a Plan
Walking into a grocery store without a list is like going to a buffet after fasting all day. Suddenly, everything looks good and you somehow “need” a five-pound tub of cheese puffs, two new hot sauces, and that fancy bread you’ll forget about until it’s stale.
Impulse shopping is one of the fastest ways to overspend at the grocery store. And it doesn’t just hurt your wallet. It often leads to wasted food. We’ve all faced the guilt of tossing expired pantry goods, watched a “favorite” cereal go untouched after one bowl, or paid double for groceries because convenience apps made it way too easy to hit checkout.
Instead: Meal plan first. Shop your pantry. Make a list and stick to it. And for the love of your budget, don’t shop hungry. Everything looks like a good idea when your stomach is in charge.
Bonus tip: Order online for pickup, not delivery. You’ll avoid impulse aisle buys and skip the delivery markup.
7. Stop Letting Gift Cards Expire
An unused gift card is basically money—your money—rotting away in a kitchen drawer. Retailers bank on the fact that a shocking number of cards are never redeemed, which is why they push them so hard. In fact, billions of dollars in gift cards go unused every single year.
Instead: Keep all your gift cards in one spot, whether that’s a pouch in your purse, a sleeve in your wallet, or even a small box by the door where you stash outgoing mail. Better yet, add them to your phone’s digital wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Pay, or the store’s own app) so you can’t “forget” them at home. Set a reminder on your calendar to use each one within 30 days, and make a habit of checking your balance online before you shop. Treat them like cash, because that’s exactly what they are.
8. Stop Ignoring the Small Leaks
Sometimes the real budget-busters aren’t the big-ticket items but the small, sneaky leaks. That daily $5 coffee you could brew at home, the ATM fee you paid because the machine was “right there,” or the shipping costs you didn’t plan for when you ordered something online. Individually, they seem harmless, but added up, they can rival a car payment.
Instead: Do a “leak check” every month. Pull up your bank statement and circle every unnecessary fee or impulse purchase. Then create a plan to plug those leaks. Whether it’s brewing your own coffee, choosing one ATM, or consolidating online orders to avoid repeated shipping charges, small changes add up fast.
9. Stop Grocery Shopping for One Meal at a Time
Running to the store for “just one thing” almost never ends that way. You go in for eggs and milk, and come out with a cartful of chips, snacks, and that thing you didn’t even know you needed. Those extra trips cost more than just money: impulse buys, gas, and time all add up fast.
Instead: Shop once a week with a complete, well-thought-out list. Plan your meals, check your pantry, and combine errands whenever possible so you’re not constantly running back out.
Bonus tip: keep a small running list on your phone for items that pop up during the week, so when it’s shopping day, you have everything in one trip.
10. Stop Letting Energy Bills Sneak Up on You
A thermostat set too high in winter or too low in summer can burn through cash faster than your teenager burns through data. But it’s not just the big adjustments that hurt your wallet. Phantom energy drains like devices left plugged in, chargers constantly drawing power, or lights burning in empty rooms can quietly add up.
Instead: Adjust your thermostat by just a couple of degrees, use ceiling or portable fans to circulate air, and unplug devices that aren’t in use. Consider a smart power strip or timer to automatically cut power to electronics when they’re idle. Small tweaks can make a big difference on your monthly bill.
11. Stop Overpaying for Brand Names
Whether it’s groceries, cleaning supplies, or over-the-counter meds, sticking to brand names can cost you big. Many store-brand items are made in the same factory as the pricier version, and sometimes taste just as good (or work just as well).
Instead: Try the generic version at least once. If you can’t tell the difference, make the switch and pocket the savings. If you can tell and don’t like it, you can usually return it or swap it out. Over a year, switching just a few staples to generics can save hundreds of dollars without sacrificing quality or comfort.
12. Stop Paying Full Price Without Looking for a Deal First
Paying full price when a discount is just a click away is like walking past a $20 bill lying on the sidewalk. Only you’re doing it over and over again. And it adds up faster than you think. From groceries to gadgets, skipping the deal hunt can quietly drain your budget without you even noticing.
Instead: Before buying anything online, do a quick search for promo codes, check cashback apps like Rakuten, and use price-tracking tools to see if the price might drop soon. For in-store purchases, scan items with apps like Flipp or retailer apps for instant coupons or digital deals. A few minutes of prep can save you big and keep your wallet happy.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Money Work for You
Stopping waste isn’t about turning into a joyless miser. It’s about choosing where your money really belongs and making sure it gets there. Every dollar you save is a dollar that can grow in your savings, fund a weekend getaway, cover a side hustle, or go toward a little guilt-free splurge. Keep track of your habits, plug those leaks, and watch how even small changes can add up to real financial freedom. That, my friends, is the ultimate As Seen on TV miracle.
Want the full list (and a few you’ve probably never thought of)? You can find that (and me!) at EverydayCheapskate.com/wastingmoney.
By Mary Hunt
