I Cut Over $200 of Unnecessary Expenses by Making These Short (But Mighty) Changes

Like many people, I used to wonder where all my money went at the end of the month. Even with a stable income, I often found myself feeling stretched thin.

One day, after reviewing my bank statements, I realized I was wasting over $200 a month on unnecessary expenses, which was money that could be going toward savings, investments, or even just peace of mind.

With inflation continuing to impact household budgets, finding ways to cut back has never been more important. Here is how I made simple yet effective changes to avoid wasting money and how you can do the same.

The first step was figuring out exactly where my money was going. I sat down with my bank statements from the past three months and categorized my spending.

The results were eye-opening and shocking. I found that frequent takeout, impulsive shopping, and overlooked subscription services were draining my finances. I made it my goal to cut out at least $200 in unnecessary spending per month. Here is where I made the biggest changes.

Eating out was one of my biggest unnecessary expenses. Even though I was not dining at fancy restaurants, those $10–$15 takeout orders added up quickly.

I also learned how to batch cook, which made weeknight meals faster and more convenient. At first, it was challenging to resist the convenience of ordering in, but planning meals in advance helped me stick to the habit.

I started out by writing down what meals I was going to have each day and making a list of groceries so that I could bulk shop for my ingredients in one weekly trip. By doing this, I was able to shop smart at stores like Walmart, Dollar Tree, and Aldi to save as much as possible.

Subscription services are sneaky money-drainers. I realized I was paying for streaming platforms and premium apps like Disney+, Hulu, and Uber Eats, which I barely used. By canceling the ones I did not need, I saved around $30 per month.

I also set a calendar reminder to review my subscriptions every three months, so I would not fall into the trap of auto-renewing services I don't really need.

Brand-name products are often significantly more expensive than their generic counterparts. I started buying store-brand groceries and household items, and in most cases, I barely noticed a difference.

For staple items like rice, pasta, and cleaning supplies, the generic versions from Walmart or Dollar Tree worked just as well and sometimes even contained the exact same ingredients as their branded counterparts.

Over the course of a month, this small change saved me around $20.

Impulse spending was a major problem for me. Whether it was grabbing a coffee while running errands or picking up items on sale that I didn't really need, the little things added up fast.

To combat this, I started following the 24-hour rule: Wait a whole 24 hours between the desire to purchase and actually purchasing. More often than not, the urge passed, and I saved myself from unnecessary expenses.

I also removed my credit card information from online shopping sites, making it less convenient to make impulse purchases.

Many credit cards and apps offer cashback or rewards on everyday purchases. By taking advantage of these programs, I was able to save around $15 per month on things I was already buying, like certain groceries, gift cards, and even the occasional fast food purchase.

If you are strategic about using rewards, you can maximize your savings even further.

I used to grab coffee or iced chai from places like Dutch Bros multiple times a week, which cost me around $5-$7 per cup. By investing in a quality coffee maker and brewing my drinks at home, I saved roughly $50 per month.

It might not seem like much, but small savings add up over time. I even bought a reusable to-go cup to bring my homemade coffee and chai with me on busy mornings, making it feel like a coffee shop experience without the hefty price tag.

Simple adjustments to my home's energy use helped lower my electricity bill. I started turning off lights when I left a room, unplugging devices not in use, and using a programmable thermostat to regulate heating and cooling.

These small changes collectively saved me around $20 per month. I also switched to LED bulbs, which use significantly less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Delivery fees, express shipping, and convenience store markups were silently eating away at my budget. By planning ahead and making fewer rushed purchases, I cut out an extra $30 per month in unnecessary fees.

I also started doing grocery pick-up instead of delivery, which allowed me to avoid impulse buys in-store while also skipping expensive service charges.

By cutting out unnecessary spending, I saved roughly $255 a month, which I now put toward savings and financial goals. Adjusting to these changes was not always easy, but adapting a small, mindful budget lifestyle added up over time.

If you are looking for ways to avoid wasting money and stretch your grocery budget, take a closer look at your spending habits and identify areas where you can cut back. 

With a little effort, you can keep more cash in your wallet while still enjoying the things that truly matter.