Wasting Money? These sneaky expenses might be stealing your savings.

Are you wasting money?

How can you save your family money for the things you really want? (Like that family trip to Disney World, the new kitchen countertops, or that fab pair of boots for the season…oh, how we love boot season…and Disney World…aaaaand so many things.)

At some point, we have all wasted money on something. Sure, we have the best intentions of saving, but sometimes life just gets in the way.  If you want to save, look at how you spend on the small stuff. And we’re not just talking about the daily coffee habit that siphons off hard-earned savings. Check out this list of sneaky expenses that really add up.

Our top 4 expenses to watch for (so you can save money for the things you REALLY want):

1. On banking and using credit/debit cards, cut out:
   1. ATM fees – Out-of-network withdrawals cost you, so use ATMs affiliated with your own bank.
   2. Bank finance charges – insufficient funds fees and low balance fees.
   3. Credit card fees – annual fees, cash advance fees, late payment fees, over-the-limit fees.
2. On traveling and entertainment, cut out:
   1. Extra airline fees – like paying for early boarding, special seats, on-board snacks.
   2. Cable television/satellite radio – packages for stations you don’t use or rarely watch.
   3. Memberships – for exercise, events, or lessons you rarely attend. (Intentions don’t count when you’re trying to save a buck.)
   4. Subscriptions – to books, magazines, newspapers you don’t get around to reading.
3. On incidentals, cut out:
   1. Postage and envelopes to pay bills – online bill pay is cheaper, safer, quicker.
   2. New cell phones – or contract changes before your current one expires.
   3. Extended warranties – for appliances, electronics, and other items.
   4. Extra fees for shipping packages – Overnight or speedy delivery, oversize boxes.
   5. Low deductibles for insurance. Raise your deductible (what you must pay upfront for a claim) even a little, and you will see a savings.
4. And finally, there’s….food.  Yes, food.
   1. Food (and drink) is the single largest expense category you can control, because most other expenses (housing, transportation, medical costs, insurance, etc.) are locked-in amounts. Wasting food is throwing money in the trash!

Getting what you want is all about setting goals and sticking to a budget.

You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but paying attention to the small stuff might just get you where you want to be…faster. Need a place to start with your family budget? Try our free printable.