If you overspend, you are not alone: the average American spends $1.33 for every $1.00 earned. Our spending habits have become so routine that we often forget the ways we are spending money on unnecessary things. Here are some budgeting and spending tips to avoid overspending and set you up to achieve financial success.
Tracking your finances can be difficult, so using a service like Mint can help you understand where your money is going automatically. These services will tell you how much you are spending on restaurants and entertainment versus essentials. Once you are armed with this information, you can make an informed choice about how to scale back and start saving money each month.
Did you know the average American spends nearly $2,000 per year on coffee and soda? There are simple ways to cut back your spending on these non-essentials. We recommend that you pick one day a week when you treat yourself to a cup at your favorite coffee place, and brew at home the rest of the time. If soda is your thing, skip it when you're out at restaurants, and buy in bulk at a warehouse store.
Pack a Lunch
Two thirds of Americans spend money eating out at lunch, with the average cost of workday lunches adding up to $1,924 per year. You can cut back by planning out your lunches on Sunday and bringing in a packed lunch each day.
When we shop for fun we are susceptible to impulse purchasing, which can severely impact our spending. Before you buy something, determine if you really need it. When buying clothes, look for sales. One way to upgrade your wardrobe without breaking the bank is to focus on mixing different accessories with your current clothes to create a whole new look.
Americans spend over $700 per year on gym memberships. Do you know how many people NEVER use those memberships? 67%! Rather than throw your money away, you can look into community centers that offer free gyms and fitness classes. You can also get active by running or biking in your neighborhood. Need a class to stay motivated? YouTube has thousands of free classes that can get you into shape from the comfort of your home.
Cable can cost you around $100 per month, or maybe more. One way to cut back is to call your cable provider to see if they have any promotions and ask about more economical plans. Automated services like BillFixers can even do the negotiating for you. If there's only a few shows you like, try a streaming service like NetFlix, Amazon, or Hulu to get your favorite shows at a fraction of the cost.
There are a lot of ways to not overspend every month, here we have shared tips on how to stop overspending. No matter what options you choose to try to stop overspending, budgeting should be a must! It is the best option to know where your money is going, the rest is up to you.
Want to know more about staying on budget? Check out this video from KIMT News 3, featuring our Account Services Representative, Amber Cooper.