Ways You Are Throwing Away Your Money
Like Throwing Your Money in the Garbage!
Do you constantly find yourself trying to make ends meet? Are you forever running out of money at the end of every month? Do you cry yourself to sleep each night because you can't pay all your bills? Well, clearly that is your own fault, but by making some of these subtle (and extremely obvious) changes, your financial situation can be fixed in no time. You must be throwing your money away!
Did you know new "helpful" articles appear all over the internet everyday to tell you how to save money? As a matter of fact, you are reading one right now! Gasp! What an amazing coincidence. You are probably just wasting your money on silly things, but I will help you figure this all out.
Starbucks
I know this might sound crazy, but did you know Starbucks is really expensive? How shocking! I've read several articles recently informing me that buying Starbucks coffee is really my downfall.
Apparently, some of you folks out there are buying Starbucks coffee everyday, and I take it from reading these articles, you've never once even considered the price. It seems as if you are not even aware that you pay for Starbucks at all. You just hand over a card, a cashier swipes it, and wham... you are out of 5 bucks a pop.
Oh yes, I said it. Many of the coffees at Starbucks are $5 per drink. Yep. If you go there 7 days a week, you are paying roughly $35 a week. Since we are all apparently unable to do the math in these situations, I am happy to help you, my dear readers.
Of course, I know what you are thinking, "Jeannie, I am so poor I already do not buy Starbucks coffee. Please give me other tips." Well, I had assumed based on these other articles everyone bought Starbucks coffee and merely suggesting no longer drinking coffee would solve all problems, but I am happy to give other ideas.
Credit Cards
So in case you did not know, if you are not paying down your credit card balance each month, you are probably paying a lot in interest. Why yes, credit cards often charge interest and some even have monthly fees!
My best suggestion for you is simply never have credit cards or just pay those annoying balances off in full immediately. I know you are having a tough time making ends meet, but surely you have the extra hundreds or
I do realize you probably went into debt in the first place because you were not making ends meet, and that is why you needed the credit cards... but surely you must be able to find the money to pay off all those bills now. At least, according to all the articles I read, it just makes sense to go without food and possibly just live on the streets so you can pay off those pesky credit cards once and for all.
Food
Food is expensive, so why are you buying so much of it? Food is just another example of throwing your money away. Let me explain.
If you stock up on food, it is likely you will have to throw some of it out if it goes bad. So therefore, you should only buy exactly how much you need so you can save money....
But wait! I thought I was supposed to buy food in bulk to save money. So now I need to make sure to not buy in bulk so I don't waste food. Well, OK, I guess I can just have only what I need on hand, and attempt to predict each meal and when I might get hungry...
But wait! What if I go to my cabinets and they are totally empty because I stopped stocking up on food, but I don't have time to buy more? I guess I have to order takeout food....
But wait! It is so expensive to order takeout food. Then I have to tip the driver, too. I would save more money if I just had food at my own home, but I am not supposed to do that anymore because some of the food goes to waste and throwing it out is bad.
What am I supposed to do? I guess sitting around starving and wishing I had food is the only way to really solve this dilemma. No need to just throw my money and food away anymore!
Cable and Internet
How dare you pay for cable and internet? If you are reading this hub, obviously you are in debt or totally broke or in some other type of terrible financial situation. Do you really think you deserve cable and internet at the same time? Shame on you!
Sure you are trapped at home during your free time (which you probably don't have since you likely work more than one job or overtime just to pay down your debt which you are not allowed to have in the first place) since you can't afford to go out anymore. The last thing you deserve is something to keep you entertained. You'd better get some books from the library to read by candlelight at home, and use the free internet connection at the library while you are at it.
You might be concerned that using WiFi or public computers can be dangerous. After all, identity theft is a serious issue. Don't worry about it! With the credit you are likely to have since you are still reading this hub, no one is going to steal your identity anyway. And if they do, they will surely give it back to you.
Transportation
If you have a car, you are probably paying too much for it. Or at least that is what I gather from these articles. You are overspending on:
- Gas
- Insurance
- Repairs
- That Yankee Candle air freshener dangling from the mirror...
Why are you paying so much for a silly vehicle just to get to your job or stores? How about you give up that car and just walk? Forget about ever picking up a couch at IKEA or anything like that... but hey, you can't afford a couch anyway!
Using Your Retirement Money Before Retirement
If you have a retirement plan, a 401K, or savings plan, good for you! After all, it is going to be pretty expensive to retire one day. Any of your retirement money should strictly be used just for retiring.
Unfortunately, we live in a difficult economy, so some of us are not able to save our money for retirement. It is kind of difficult to focus on saving for retirement if you can't afford to pay your bills today. You see, you must actually survive long enough to make it to retirement in order to really worry about having that extra money. That means eating food and having shelter today.
In some cases, despite our best effort, we have to dip into our retirement funds to pay rent, pay bills, or pay for an unexpected expense. No one wants to do that, but many of us must do that. I don't know about you, but I'd feel pretty silly waiting years to cash out on my 401K while living in an alley behind 7-Eleven.
Starbucks Poll
Do You Still Get Coffee at Starbucks?
Final Thoughts
Wow, this hub sounds a tad bitter, doesn't it? I suppose my frustration is constantly stumbling upon articles giving advice that most of us already know. (Some of which I may have written myself a time or two!) Sure, I know there are people out there that are still searching for basic articles on how to save money, and perhaps they genuinely never considered the cost of a Starbucks coffee. But what about those of us that gave up on Starbucks coffee years ago?
I want to read the article that helps me. I want an article out there about a person who already does not own a car, walks to work each day because she can't afford public transportation, and lives check to check while still working full-time and doing freelance work. How do you save money when this is nothing left to give up? Where is that article? If you find one, please send it my way because that is the article that might actually help me out.
Oh, and make sure to send me a huge check so I can pay off all this debt that, according to other articles, I am not allowed to have in the first place.
Copyright ©2013 Jeannieinabottle
Even More Financial Hubs That Probably Won't Help You:
- Stuff You Shouldn't Say If You're Broke
If you don't have a lot of money, maybe you need to think twice about your purchases. You definitely need to think more about what you say to people. There is some stuff broke people just shouldn't say to anyone. - 10 Ways to Have Fun with $10 or Less
Many people are not living the amazing lifestyle they once did. Everyone has to manage money much more so now than in the past. However, staying on a budget does not mean you can't have some fun! - Low-Budget Tips for the Beach
If you want to take a trip to the beach this summer, but you are low on money, I am here to help you. Check out some tips on saving money while having fun at the beach. - How to Save Money While at Work
If you work full-time, but still aren't making ends meet, let's discuss some ways to save money while working. Make your full-time job work for you!
Comments
AUTHOR$500 a year is a huge difference. Congratulations on managing that. I don't have premium channels anymore and I don't miss them at all. Thanks for checking out my hub.
Starbucks is expensive and just a treat for me. We recently got rid of our home phones and went to our cells. Also, got rid of a few cable channels and figured out it will save us almost $500 per year.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much! Wow... no Starbucks? That is impressive. I prefer Dunkin Donuts myself, but Starbucks is so close by (there is one everywhere you look!) so I do go there every now and then. I certainly can't go there as much as I'd like though.
Yeah, I don't benefit on articles that advise to stop eating out or buying coffee every day since I eat out maybe a handful of times a year. Maybe. I'm proud to say I've never gone to a Starbucks. Why should I? I can enjoy a great cup of coffee at home. I can even add that foo-foo stuff if I want, which I really don't want. Great hub!
- AUTHOR
randomcreative - Thanks so much. That was the point I wanted to make. I can't stand it when articles tell me don't use credit cards or some crap like that. Easier said than done. I would have literally been homeless or starved without them in the past. Sure it is frustrating paying them back now, but at least I am still alive to pay them back now... instead of freezing and starving to death on a sidewalk somewhere.
twoseven - I am glad I am not the only one tired of all the articles telling us coffee is the cause of our financial downfalls. I am pretty sure it's a bit more complex than that!
Hilarious!! I have said the same thing about the very worn out advice of giving up coffee. You nailed it!
I appreciate your take on this topic. There are so many articles out there about this topic, and yet so many people still seem to have no money. I'm not sure how many different times and different ways some of these points have to be made to drive them home.
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Efficient Admin! I will check it out.
Jeannie, I hope it's okay if I post it here, you may want to check out ChristinS homemade laundry detergent: https://hubpages.com/money/Homemade-Laundry-Deterg...
I made a batch of this and really like it.
- AUTHOR
I am happy I was able to shed some light on your situation. ;-) I can't seem to find enough hours in the day! If only I had the time to work 4 or 5 jobs, I am sure I could manage just fine in this economy.
Thanks for your comment!
Tsk. Here I thought my financial woes were caused by working too few hours in the year. I will definitely have to re-evaluate my excesses to save the money I don't seem to have!
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- AUTHOR
Thank you, Monis Mas!
You got some really good points here!
- AUTHOR
Cool, thanks!
Jeannie, several people, myself included, have put the laundry soap recipe in hubs.
- AUTHOR
Kathryn Stratford, yes, I thought it was funny that this was not being perceived as funny, too. I suppose I went in too much of an angry rant direction this time! I know exactly what you are talking about, too. There are people at my job that always want to go out to lunch or order takeout food, and they consider me a party pooper because I won't go along with them. Of course these are the same people that never have money for bills. Hmmm. Interesting. Thanks for the comment!
Efficient Admin - Thanks for being on the same boat with me. If I one day find that article, I will share it with you, too. And congrats on kicking the tobacco habit.
jainismus - You do have a point there. Perhaps my next hub should be able wasting time... I see that a lot, too!
lambservant - I now also enjoy the delight of the International coffee. I prefer the caramel vanilla. :-) Wow, that sounds really tough living that far from public transportation. I rarely take public transportation, but I am lucky to be within walking distance for the most important things: work, grocery stores, library, etc. I need to start learning how to make my own laundry soap, too! Thanks for the suggestion.
The Starbucks thing is so easy. You see it as only a measly $5 today. Few are smart enough to take note of the final Starbucks tally at the end of the month. I live on a very tiny income. My latte/mocha days are rare. I started buying International Delight Mocha Iced Coffee. I add it to my hot coffee when I want coffee on the go (Which isn't often) and would normally stop at a drive-thru coffee joint (which is mostly what we have in my area). It's close enough in taste to sate my longing for a SB mocha, and it lasts a long time.
I went two years without a car in recent years. I live in a very rural area, a long peninsula and let me tell you, this was a challenge. The nearest public transportation was about 15 miles. I was so blessed to have a friend who loves to drive, loves me, and didn't care about gas money. She was my wheels most of the time. Once in awhile I would have someone drop me off at the local grocer about 8 miles away and because it's a small community, I always ran into someone who would give me a ride home. Having said all this, I was not working most of this time. I did finally get a job caring for an elderly lady about a mile away and I did indeed walk.
Great stuff here. You an also same money by making your own cleaning products, especially laundry soap.
Great Hub.
Wasting time in useless things is also like throwing away money. This way is very popular world over :)
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This hub reminds me that I sure am glad I don't have that tobacco habit anymore. The last time I checked my brand was almost $5 per pack. I'm with you on that please show me an article on saving money for those who don't have any more to give up.
Haha. I think it is funny that this wasn't voted as funny!
I was thinking of this topic the other day, and the coffee part strikes me funny. When I worked in VA years ago, I had many part-time co-workers (who didn't make much money... nearly minimum wage), and I was stunned that they would come in with McDonald's breakfasts, and often go out to a non-fastfood restaurant for lunch. Even worse than spending $5 a day on coffee!
I don't go to Starbucks often, although I have been splurging on a $1.27 McD's coffee several times a week. I use change, so it feels like it's free!
This is funny, as usual, and useful in some ways. Thanks for the laughs!
~ Kathryn
- AUTHOR
FlourishAnyway - As long as you use whatever you buy things more and more, it is not wasted. I tend to stock up on ketchup.... I can't live without it!
PegCole17 - It sounds like you totally got my hub. Thank you! Sometimes you've got to dip into savings or use credit cards to get by... it is just a part of life. In a perfect world, it shouldn't happen, but it does.
sheilamyers - Yes, you get what I am saying... so many of those articles don't take into account that a lot of us know better, but we have no other choice. Sigh, I hope this economy gets better soon! Thanks for your comment.
All good suggestions. I know in this economy it's easier said than done, but it's much easier to stay out of debt in the first place than it is to catch up once you're behind. As the 401K ... most of the ones I know about charge you ridiculous fees for withdrawing any money early and you actually have to put it back in there at some point.
Mmmm, Starbucks! I like your humor. And I do remember hitting up my 401 k when times were hard. Bad move.
Thank goodness I do not have a coffee habit. Soda is bad enough. One way I waste money is by buying the same thing over and over again. There are certain things I erroneously believe I always need more of, forgetting that I previously bought them (sharp cheddar cheese, cinnamon). I've resorted to leaving myself lists in the cupboard and frig that says: "We have lots of:..."
- AUTHOR
Hahaha, I don't have any money to throw away either. :-) Thanks for your comment, Bill!
drbj, OK, I will take the spot near Walmart then. Make sure to visit me sometime!
Suzie HQ - Oh yes, indeed it is $5 for one of those delightful flavored coffees that tastes more like a milkshake. If you get some plain boring coffee, it is cheaper, but if I wanted plain boring coffee, I would make it myself. ;-)
Hi Jaennieinabottle,
Like Bill, alas i don't have the funds for a $5 Starbucks! Is it really $5??? What a price! I remember having quite a few in America before it hit our wee shores here. it is an incredibly popular venue here and always busy when ever I pass one of the many outlets. Excellent pointers on money wasting that should make us think!
Sensible suggestions, Jeannie, but here's a warning: Stay out of that alley behind 7-11 - it's mine!
I don't have any money to throw away. LOL Makes being frugal pretty easy. :) Seriously, good suggestions and all are right on. It's amazing how much money people toss away....and then wonder why they have no money.
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