Ten Simple Things You CAN Live Without

Whether it's a service you never use or something you really should stop paying for, all of us have useless items that are weighing us down. These items may seem minor, but they can add up pretty quickly. By ridding yourself of some of the tedious charges you will have more time and money to use in your daily life.

Number One: Your Vehicle

I know it isn't completely possible to stop using your car completely, deciding to walk now and then will not only save you money on gas but also in some cases on parking. It's also a great way to get some much-needed fresh air.

Number Two: Get Rid of Cable

Unless you are an avid fan of a very specific show that is only featured on one obscure channel, you have no excuse for keeping your cable subscription. It will be much cheaper for you in the long run, to stream your shows and sports broadcasts from an online service.

Number Three: Cancelling Services

Your show got booted from Hulu, but yet you are still paying every month for nothing interesting. Before you lose track of what you're paying for, drop the service and find something you would much rather watch. Similar to getting rid of your cable subscription, various streaming services will quickly add up. If you aren't absolutely in love with a streaming service, save yourself some trouble and drop it.

Number Four: Don't Go Out For Food

I know, very sad. I am a huge Starbucks fanatic, but eating out even twice a month will have a huge impact on your budget. Every once in a while is fine, but even more than twice a month is already $30-$50 dollars you could spend instead on several home-cooked meals.

Number Five: Newspapers and Magazines

Now you may be thinking: Newspapers? That's so old-fashioned. But there may be a certain paper or magazine that you still receive monthly that you hadn't thought to check. Just like canceling your services, make sure to watch out for anything you might still accidentally be paying for. If you are a huge newspaper fan, however, I have found most online subscriptions to be much cheaper and accessible.

Number Six: Memberships

How many membership cards do you have in your wallet? Are they all useful? Do you go to the gym often enough to make the monthly cost worth it? Or could you go for a quick run instead? Memberships overall are not bad, but if it isn't something you use enough to get your money's worth then it is not worth it.

Number Seven: Social Outings

Before you rush to cancel your plans, it's important to note that I am only referring to overspending whenever you are with friends. Try planning some adventures that are low budget or require no entrance fee, such as hiking, swimming, or a movie night in your backyard via a projector. Don't stop having fun, but consider some alternatives to a 13 dollar movie ticket.

Number Eight: Services Assistances

Instead of paying someone to change your oil, do it yourself. If you could do it yourself then do it. Don't waste money on something just cause it's hard. Take a moment and consider if it's something that you could do yourself, and if your answer is yes then maybe wait to call for assistance next time you need a tire changed.

Number Nine: Impulse Purchases

I HAVE to get it. If this sounds familiar then you are probably a lot like me. Whenever you see a sale you are instantly interested. Sales are great, but if you weren't planning on buying anything in the first place, then you are spending money you didn't have. An occasional treat is perfectly fine, as long as you monitor how often you treat yourself.

Number Ten: Brand Names

This suggestion takes a little bit of trial and error to get right but can be super important. The brand name is more expensive, but often it is for a good reason. Sometimes the best results are from a brand-name product. However, due to its reputation as the better product, brand name products sometimes charge more than they are worth. Decide which brand names you could live without, and watch how much money you can save.

Thank you for reading!

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