4 Things Middle-Class Families Should Think Twice About Spending Money On Now
Since the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world in 2020, the economy has seen its share of ups and downs. Inflation reached 8.97% in June 2022, the highest since 1981 and has since leveled out, hitting 4.2% in May 2026, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data via FRED.
With economic uncertainty and financial pressures squeezing middle-class budgets, there are a few things that families should consider not wasting money on to alleviate some of this stress. While you don’t have to completely slash your spending, we did ask Christopher Walsh, senior advisor and regional director at Capital Choice Arizona, to share his insights into things stressed middle-class families can stop spending on now and how much it could save them.
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Coffee Shop Coffee
Walsh identified coffee shop spending as a stressor in his own budget and now uses his experience to help his clients.
“An $8 drink five days a week is nearly $200 a month,” he said. And that’s just for one person. He pointed out that the cost climbs really quickly, especially when you take the whole family.
While cutting back on coffee shop spending can ease budget stress, you don't have to cut out the coffee.
“The thing is: You can buy a really good machine pretty affordably now that makes excellent coffee right at home,” Walsh said.
If you’re not ready to cut out your lattes cold turkey, you can always cut it down to once or twice a week and put the money you save on the rest into a sinking fund or into another budget category.
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Expensive Subscriptions — or Forgotten Subscriptions
A 2025 subscription survey by CNET found that the average adult in the U.S. spends $1,080 per year on subscriptions, including over $200 a year on unused subscriptions. Walsh recommended doing an audit of the subscription services you’re paying for.
The hack he uses with his clients is to list out every digital subscription they’re paying for to see which ones they’re actually using. This is particularly helpful for streaming services, he said.
“I go through and mark off which months the shows I actually watch are even airing on each service,” he said.
Impulse Purchases
Walsh cautioned against heading into a big-box store without a plan: "You walk in for paper towels and walk out $300 lighter on stuff you never planned to buy.”
To avoid this, he suggested a 24- to 48-hour waiting period when you see something that you need or want. After that amount of time, along with a discussion with other household decision makers, you’ll be able to make the decision with a clear head and not based on an impulse.
Food Delivery
We all love having food delivered right to our door, but that convenience can cost 50% to 100% more than just driving to the restaurant and picking up the food yourself, Walsh explained.
Eating out, he said, “is something middle-class families could stand to pull back on as it is, and then delivery turns around and amplifies that cost.”
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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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