6 Everyday Purchases Extreme Savers Skip (and What They Do Instead)
Life is expensive, and it keeps getting more so. Thanks to inflation, $1 in 2016 purchasing power now equals $1.42. Even Dollar Tree has stopped being a dollar store, with prices starting at $1.25.
Whether you’re trying to make ends meet or build some breathing room, every dollar counts. Some people have figured out that the fastest way to save isn’t hunting for coupons. It’s skipping the stuff that quietly drains your wallet.
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Here’s a look at the six everyday purchases extreme savers skip entirely.
1. Pre-Packaged Foods
Pre-packaged foods might seem like a great way to make quick and easy meals, but these meals often come with smaller portion sizes, processed ingredients and a higher price tag.
At Target, a single serving of Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese runs about $3 to $4. Extreme savers buy noodles and sauce separately or make the dish from scratch, which often brings the cost per serving down.
2. Streaming Subscriptions
Streaming subscriptions look like the affordable alternative to cable, until you’re juggling four services and every one of them raises its price.
Extreme savers go a different route. They use public library networks, free ad-supported streaming platforms and over-the-air antennas deliver movies, shows and live broadcasts for little to nothing.
3. Haircuts and Beauty Care
Haircuts and beauty care feel like non-negotiables, but extreme savers find workarounds. Some cut their own hair, while others swap expensive products for cheaper alternatives. A $20 to $30 scrubbing face mask, for example, can be whipped up at home with ground oatmeal, honey and coconut oil.
4. New Clothes
Buying one new item a month adds up faster than you’d expect. Extreme savers thrift nearly everything, with socks and underwear as the notable exceptions. Thrift stores offer gently used pieces at a steep discount, and the best deals often turn up at Goodwill clearance racks and outlet centers.
5. Bottled Beverages
Bottled water and soda aren’t a necessity for extreme savers. They drink tap water, filter it when needed and make their own fizzy drinks with a SodaStream or similar device. Ditching the bottles also cuts plastic waste, a nice bonus for both your savings and the planet.
6. Paper Products
Paper products are a no-go for extreme savers. They reach for reusable cloth rags, washable towels, old clothing and real dishes instead. A six-pack of paper towels can cost between $5 and $15. That may not sting once, but over a year the costs pile up, which is exactly why extreme savers cut them from their budgets.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight to feel the difference. Choose the one purchase on this list that hurts your budget the most, whether it’s the frozen dinners in your freezer or the three streaming apps you forgot you were paying for, and skip it for 30 days. Odds are you won’t miss it, and your bank account will.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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