12 Subtle Ways You May Be Wasting Money Without Realizing It
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- čas přidán 12. 10. 2023
- It’s not always the big expenses that drain our wallets. Sometimes, it’s the seemingly insignificant ones that prevent us from saving money.
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Save eating out for rare treat. Don't waste on expensive takeout coffees. Start adopting great depression mindset. Going to need it.
My journal frequently has the phrase “Beware the $20 purchase.” It’s surprisingly effective.
Great idea ! Thanks
Love how his videos start the moment you press play! Thank you for sparing your audience of the unnecessarily long intros!
Joshua, Great video! I want to add a huge thank you to you. Earlier this week, my sister & our nephew came in from out of town, took 2 days & helped clean out our garage except for a small portion. We ran out of time. The before & after is amazing. It has taken me 24 yrs & watching a lot of yours, Dawn's & Cass's videos to come to the point of being able to let go of the items. I only kept 3 totes of things. I cried some tears but felt so relieved afterward. Thank you. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. 😊
Way to go!
Congratulations 🎊
Congratulations!!!
go you champ 🎉
Wow. Congradulations! What a relief and well done on putting in all the effort. The reward is well worth it!
I used to get satisfaction when watching videos of people clearing out their clutter. The “before and after” views are great. But now I can hardly watch any more. I just keep yelling at these people on the screen, “All that stuff used to be MONEY!” I can’t imaging being so thoughtless with money as to own 50 t-shirts, or 30 pairs of shoes, or so much food in the pantry, bought in bulk during “Costco hauls”, that you forget what you have and it goes bad. This behavior is thoughtless, meaning” people do it without thinking. Thank you for your message and for reminding people to THINK. If you can’t treat everything in your home with respect, then you have too much stuff.
If we all bought fewer clothes and switched to purchasing fair-trade clothing rather than fast fashion, we could change the world (for the better)!
Clothes used to be better and last longer. Also, most people used to hang their clothes on the line (I still do) and a clothes dryer is what beats up the clothes and they won’t last as long
Good informational video. I do not have any food wastes anymore since March 2023. I changed to a carnivore diet. There is no bread, veggie or fruit wastes. My labs are great and lost 47 lbs.
That’s awesome!!! 👏🏼 I always hear people say how expensive the carnivore diet can be but it sounds like it might save money and your health in the long run. 😊
I soft-heartedly took in an orphaned feral kitten that somehow landed on my front porch. I already had 2 old toms and had planned to phase out pets once they'd gone to kitty heaven! Since then my cat food and litter costs have doubled and my vet bill has been over $800 in three months! And I still have two followup appointments left before years end. Could you make a video about frugal pet management? I know the easiest thing would have been to let the kitty perish. I had no transport at the time and anyway our rural no kill facility had no room for more cats. And she wormed her way into my heart and hearth.
Thank you for your compassion
I do much of what is on this list. Once I started cooking more often at home I have not wasted any food.
Here is a tip:
Place produce at the top of the fridge where you can see it and place any packaged items in the crisper. You'll be more likely to use the perishable items first. Therefore reducing waste.
Great Idea!!! I will try that!
@@audreycasassa1683. Me too.
Last time I purchased a fridge, I selected freezer on the bottom. Now day to day food is closer to my field of vision! Much better all around.
Wrap celery in aluminum foil!
I love this idea! I want to eat my fresh food, but never know what I have without an excavation!
Ha ha. I had a massive French fry craving yesterday. I went and got some. Checked my budget book and realized I haven’t had fries in 45 days. 😂😂 So I think it’s fine that I went ahead and finally had my little fast food meal. Lol. Pretty cool that I hadn’t missed them at all until 45 days later. Ha ha.
We have carry out food on Saturdays as a treat. We cook at home all week and eat leftovers.
A couple things I do that your ideas remind me of 1) Allocate $10 per month to clothing and I can only access it in transition months - March and September; 2) Set up a Subscriptions area in my budget where I list a subscription when I start it. This way I don't lose track of subscriptions. Additionally, only one streaming service at a time because seriously - who needs more than one?; 3) In winter months, I developed the habit of going for a 10-minute walk when I'm home and feel cold rather than turning up the heat. This way I keep the thermostat at 18C and save money.
Good work, Joshua! I look forward to your videos each week.
Love this walk idea to combat the cold and winter blues
I have learned to think about a purchase for a few days before buying!
here’s what i do to thrive financially: i go thrifting for my clothes (bonus: no one else has my pieces), i don’t have children, i’m a minimalist, i have roommates, i should lowkey cancel my gym membership, we keep the air off when possible, i drink at home, i shop at walmart for groceries typically the great value brand when possible, i have cooking skills so i don’t have to eat out often. thanks for the video
The statistic about food waste literally made my jaw drop. We waste no food at our house. Zero. I freeze odds and ends and put them in soups, muffins, or quiche. And any scraps humans won’t eat go to the chickens or the garden worms.
I’ve saved $300 in 2 months by not going thrifting. Pre-my new minimalist journey I thought buying thrifted items for a few $’s was nothing. Well I proved that to be very wrong. I no longer thrift after decluttering my cottage. I’ll just replace things as i need.
We have a 3,000 sf home. And I’m so thankful because now my 90 year old dad lives with us. We’ve also housed some folks who were in desperate need of temporary housing. Having a bigger home makes it able to have more private spaces. It’s a blessing to us that we share with others 😊
Your comment reminds me of a family from my church. They have a large home and it's used for groups to gather in and I believe visiting speakers at the church also have stayed in the home. The house in a way is a community center as well as a residence. Just yesterday I saw a video about exploring an abandone mansion near Chicago and overlooking Lake Michigan. There was a huge central hall with an upstairs galler along one side. I was thinking how that space is big enough to be used for church services. That house had so much potential for being useful, but now is abandoned. I think part of the reason for the house being abandoned was the enormous property taxes in that area.
I hear what you're saying. Honest question here: Couldn't your father also live with you in a 2,500 sq ft home? Or a 2,000 sq ft home? I'm not sure I believe you'd actually need 3,000 sq ft for this scenario to still happen. I lived with a family during college when I needed temporary housing, as did another college student at the same time, in a home that was only 2,000 sq feet. Maybe I'm just less inclined to think we need private spaces, because I've found communal spaces to be so life-giving?
I agree with the original poster on this one. I live in a house that's under 800 sf. It would be nice to have my daughter and her husband and children be able to move in. Legally, children of different genders can't share a bedroom past a certain age, and a room can only be classified as a bedroom if it has a closet, so this house wouldn't be big enough. And not everyone enjoys having to share "communal spaces" 24/7. I love my family, but being shoehorned together all the time isn't my idea of quality living. This isn't a third world nation, at least not yet.
Eating out is expensive sure, but the real problem with it is how unhealthy it is. Preservatives, sodium, and not much nutrition make the food extremely undesirable for me.
You are so right. Besides costing way more monetarily, but over time, all that unhealthy, processed food may cost us our health!
My biggest way to save money is to buy second-hand. I have found items that were purchased but never used by their original owner, and the cost was a fraction of buying new. I have a really good quality winter coat and leather bag that I could never have afforded to buy 'new', yet buying them as 'unused secondhand' (still with store price tags attached) they were as cheap as low-quality 'last for one season only' items.
We only eat out for our birthdays and wedding anniversary. Because it happens so rarely, even if we go somewhere fairly cheap, it's still a real treat. I know people who eat out every week and it's so much harder (and more expensive) for them to find somewhere 'special' for a big occasion.
I love that your videos are even minimal & straight to the point. Thank you so much! I love your channel.
I've always done most of these, partly because I prioritized eating out and buying frozen/pre-made meals as an unconscious ADHD accommodation. Recognizing the extra cost as part of my "ADHD tax" makes me feel both better and worse about having spent the equivalent of multiple home down payments on it over the decades! Tackling it now as a form of self-care feels empowering.
The easiest way to stop wasting money is knowing what you want in your life. Many people who work to survive don't spend time enough alone in the nature to ascertain their life values.
Thank you Joshua! I enjoy listening to you so much! God is using you to bless others lives in so many ways!
We downsized the place where we live without spending an arm and a leg. We used to stay in a 120sqm up and down house. Now that it needs repair due to wear and tear, this is a 1990 house, my wife and I live in a 1bdrm 40sqm unit. This means lesser utility bills like electricity and water. Our 3 kids have grown and still growing and each have their own life. And since we downsized, our money now goes to the right foods we want to eat and we have upgraded our health insurance for better measure of what lies ahead. The return is we have rented out our place after the needed repairs and has maximize the use of our place. It's a work in progress yet easier said doable and very manageable.
Meal planning is the key to financial success, I’m convinced of it!!
I am wondering how many drawers and cabinets are empty 😂
There's so much power in just letting things be.
I have no idea how old my jeans are. I do know they are Vanderbilt's. I keep my heat set at 66°. My husband pops popcorn for lunch. His coworkers are always surprised. He has never eaten out for lunch. Credit card debt doesn't exist in our house. My dog eats our leftovers that dont get taken for the next days lunches as well as high quality dog food. My cellphone is a Motorola. I paid $150 for it cash. It is a cheap phone that does the same thing an Apple phone does for 1/4 the money. We just paid off our house. We live like we're poor so we can be rich someday.
It's the big items that have the biggest effect on saving money: Housing, Transportation, and Food. However, it can be easier to get started with small ticket items such as cancelling subscriptions, changing insurance plans, etc.
I think many of us have bought into the idea that "shopping" or "going to the mall" is a hobby and it isn't.
All the time and energy I spent decluttering was the kick I needed to face the issues that were causing me to be a shopaholic and finally take control of my spending and possessions. Never going back. 😊
Some people enjoy shopping and some hate it. If you enjoy shopping, you can offer to pick up some things for those with busy schedules who hate shopping (with receipts, and ready to return if necessary...but that's OK because that's another shopping trip!)
I ask my mom to shop for the clothes of my daughter. I HATE shopping. Those two enjoy it.
Thank you, Joshua, for your good reminders. I started minimalism in March 2015. I have been diligent to have a capsule wardrobe and to have only kitchen items I really needed. I'm in my retirement years and am taking stock in my health. I got a pharmacy plan and supplement insurance starting this month.
We keep our MN winter heat set at 60 when we are home and 50 when we are gone and at night.
When we dress right for the lower temperature, it becomes easy to be comfortable.
Thanks for the reminder to check our energy usage. I haven't done that this year. You are truly helping people.
I use and love libraries, but buying books, movies, and music is something I consider worth spending money on sometimes because the people who create them deserve to be paid for their work just like anyone else. Seeing oneself as a patron of the arts can frame it as a happiness-building prosocial act. ; - )
❤🤓📚✍🎥🎵
Well my library buys multiple copies of popular books. I could never afford to buy every book I want and there are few I would want to read over and over. Movie-makers are paid well by the streaming services, I think, so I don't feel bad about getting films that way.
@@giennefarcais6834 I certainly wouldn't want anyone to feel bad for using a streaming service! (Not least because that IS paying for the work!) I just think it's good to remember that compensating an artist for what they created is not some sucker's bet or waste of money.
Your comment reminded me of something I heard years ago in one of the few interviews given by Helene Hanff, the author of "84 Charing Cross Road". Ms. Hanff talked about how people would spend a large amount of money on dinner and play, maybe a hotel room, then when it's all over there's nothing to show for it -- and this is verbatim or close --- yet "...complain about spending twenty dollars on a book they'll have for the rest of their life".
He’s just giving suggestions for those whose money is very tight.
Authors do get a small payment from library borrowings as well as book purchases. I borrow whatever I can from my local library, and if I love a book enough that I know I will reread it, then I will buy a copy to keep. I don't mind spending £10-£20 on something that I will read multiple times, but it's way too expensive for a book I will read once, not enjoy and give away.
Thanks Joshua for another interesting and motivational video. I also like how you keep your videos short as it makes it perfect to watch whilst I’m drinking my morning coffee 😊
Thank you! I have adopted many of these practices, they work!
Thank you Joshua for this video. Your ideas are practical and make a big difference.
Thank you Joshua as always, my Sunday morning check in.. keeps me on track for the following week… you really do end up with a far better life and surprisingly more money in the bank and happier..love my new life style ❤
Drive the speed limit, park wisely…..tickets are really expensive! Such an easy way to not waste your money!
Great content, as always!
Excellent advice , thanks !
Exellente as always!! Thank you so much ❤❤❤
Great list of reminders. My BIG ONE was this summer…I live in always hot Florida…during the extreme heat wave the entire country struggled with my AC couldn’t keep it…it would not cool below 78 F during the day. I had been accustomed to keeping it at 72 because I work from home and like it cold in the house…eventually it crept up to 82 then 85 then finally died. I got used to living this way - with fans blowing on me until they could replace my AC. I decided to turn out keeping it at 78 and realized what a relief that was over the 80’s I’d been living with for weeks…now, I keep it at 76-78 during the day and am both comfortable AND am saving 125 bucks per month!
Love the library and meal planning use generic when I can try to eat leftovers eat at home 98 percent of the time
I wish o could but some books they just don’t have 😢. We need more Christian books in libraries!
@@pizzapartytime1826Books can be ordered if you really want them. I live in a small town but we have 2 bookstores here. Hmm, maybe 3 now.
Great video. Remember to save water & not waste it.
A lot of Americans have fridges that are too big. I can't convince my parents about that though, and they have a deep freeze as well as their fridge freezer. Mom had mold on her pepperoni - and she loves pepperoni! That wouldn't have happened if her fridge was a little bit smaller
I agree. Out fridge is bigger than I’d like and food gets lost.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I second the motion, Joshua: store brand foods can be just as good as the name brand food.
Probably few copies exist anymore, but one of my favorite books that has blessed my life is a book for children and published in 1915: "Stories of Thrift for Young Americans". Each chapter is a story about how children can save money and be frugal. One of the chapters is about how the father's hours at work were cut and the family had to make new arrangements such as growing vegetables at home and re-purposing clothing; some realistic material that works even more than a century later.
Thank you for sharing. I love old books and will keep an eye out for it at libraries and book sales.
Hello Joshua, I am your subscriber since not long time ago, but I have been living according to rules that you refering to many many years. I agree with every single word you saying. Living minimal and mindful lifestyle made me today not maybe rich but quite wealthy. I have never ended up with depts and no money to pay bills, but this has of course it's price as well. These were years of sacrifices. To everyone who struggle financially I highly recommend this chanel. It's definitely worth to listen. Best regards
How cool would it be to see a Joshus Becker home tour? Or at least just a kitchen tour.
He’s a guy it would be here’s the kitchen, here’s the living room and here’s the garage to protect the spaces of his family
No a full one plz
I remember Joshua saying that the house where he makes the videos is actually not his home but his office... Every cabinet is probably empty, or there is just a mug or two 😉😂
I’d love to see their home it Would be so helpful but for privacy reasons I get it
Practical and useful tips, thanks
Thank you Joshua.
I have a small capsul wardrobe but I still spend about 2000 dollars a year on cloths, footwear, underwear etc. I go for good quality cloths that I can wear for many, many years ahead and have done so for the past 30 years. But living in a harsh climat, in Sweden, with cold rainy or snowy weather in winter and quite hot summers makes it a challenge to not buy cheap cloths as really good quality here costs alot. And I need quite a lot of different cloths depending on weather and what I do as my husband and I prefer spending our money on doing things like consersts, museums, theater etc. Instead of buying things and I loove gardening ( trying to grow as much of our food for the year myself). I only have one of each of jackets, coates etc. that I need so a lot and needs to be replaced from just wear and tear as the years go by… How would you tackle that? I do not want to spend soo much money but do not want to buy poor quality either! Fast fashion is not something I enjoy as Idon’t like to go shopping or any shopping on line either actually! What you do is amazing and I hope a lot more people get inspired of your messages as this is Brilliant! ❤
Very useful video!
You have such common sense recommendations that can usually be done without too much extra effort.. I also like that your videos are short enough that I can retain the info and follow along while I'm doing some simple chore in the a.m.s like making my bed and coffee. 👍🤗
Fantastic content!
Great video. Thank you 😊.
It is helpful to be reminded of these facts. Thank you!
Thank you Joshua Becker. I found you from Dawn, the Minimal Mom. What a bonus!
Joshua boa noite.
Como sempre mais uma inspiração em suas lindas reflexões e dicas.
Gratidão.
E um grande abraço Joshua aqui do Brasil de Minas Gerais!
We used to go out shopping at least twice per week. I couldn’t go anywhere without buying something. Now that I have mostly decluttered our home, have a capsule wardrobe and we are preparing to retire from our farm business, I really think about what I buy - and shopping trips are mainly now just quarterly to add a few new pieces to my wardrobe, or to get items we really need.
I go to gym regularly with my husband works for me.
Clothes I buy cheap bcs I can't seem to spend buying 1 when I can my all cps wardrobe. I don't want to wear my clothes longer then 2 years I get tired.
We eat out my husband loves it movies we do it once a month its about experiences for us.
I do see my doctor regularly.
Yes.. thank you 💖
We don't use subscriptions for anything. We can't downsize where we live because we're already in a small apartment. We do eat some takeout because we're both disabled & I'm the only one who cooks. I have osteoarthritis in my knees & sometimes I hurt too much to cook. We only buy takeout when there's a discount or coupon.
Rent movies for the library!
Sometimes you do what you have to do. God's blessings to you 🩷🙏🩷
@@pizzapartytime1826 , We don't watch movies or go to the library . We're ok with broadcast TV.
@@barbaradelira6790 I see!
@@pizzapartytime1826Renting movies from the library is great, because though they are rented, it is actually borrowing and costs nothing to do so.
I agree!
I wish I had watched this video yesterday because I had bought extra stuff that I didn't need 🙃
Return it?
Great reminders - with so many things coming in electronically it is important to know what you are signed up for -- I keep a quick spreadsheet so I know what I have and when to renew and how to cancel
Good content.
A walking billboard.
That says so much.
~N
Thank you!
thank you!!
I think all these things I've practiced over the years. Still working on choosing to buy quality items. Sometimes, the lower price (not the cheapes) can be tempting.
I like outdoor outfitter clothing. It is more timeless and has better construction!
Yes, I have one pair of jeans. I've lost 30 pounds this year and chose bib overalls for outdoor work and activities. I have warm wear items to help take the chill off at home and outside.
Great steps towards saving money. Good to be reminded of these. Also, you have the best hair ever!
Good advice as usual.
Thanks Joshua!
Well made video
Awesome video Joshua 😊
Also buy local where possible to save fuel & support locals.
Thank you guruji
So true!
I only have a sofa , no accent chairs in living room , but I have open concept and have a small dining table and 4 dining chairs, so we bring chairs over for company, its just me and my husband 90% of the time , but sometimes I am tempted to buy a chair, mostly because it seems I have this awkward space where one should be, and that society seems to say , you need a sofa and 2 chairs flanked by the fireplace..but I am retired and going to Europe ( London , Paris, Rome, and more) in the spring and need the money for my trip of a lifetime , a chair , or more money for my trip ?
Thank you so much I did
Thank you for suggesting to check for reoccurring subscriptions.
Making eating out an occasional treat makes it matter more to me.😊
Eating out was my biggest downfall! Luckily I’m trying to be better!
Merci.
Adding a comment: your messages are consistently helpful/useful and encouraging
Cooking my own food I control what goes into it. So many on line cooks to learn how to, there’s no excuse. It does require planning though (I don’t use prepackaged food and not a fan of canned food). I have staples I make often. I also find recipes to use up what I have in fridge. My last 20 years of full time employment I brought meals and drinks to work. I saved so much time and money, and able to maintain reasonable weight.
v.nice bro
Im from Pakistan Asia
Getting a lot guidance from ur videos
It is a pleasure being part of this community Joshua. Thank you for your ongoing motivational and inspirational videos. I don't know if you have a video on this topic, but would love to have some ideas on how do you both simplify your breakfast, lunch and dinners. Only if it is not too much pressure. Thank you 🙏.
I do no think I have a recorded a video on this topic. But I have written about it. Hopefully this will help: www.becomingminimalist.com/meals/
Thank you Joshua 🙏- your writing makes sense 👌🙂.
Love these tips!
I recently heard a tip that has changed my approach to buying (especially silly decorations): If someone offered you this item or the money it costs, which would you pick?
I must have saved hundreds of moneyz this way already 🙃
Bravo!!
We eat out twice a month and use our credit card points for restaurant gift cards. We pay off our cards every month. It’s a win win. 😊 I do ALL of these. And in the process of eating up what I have before buying more. 😊
Thankyou josh
I always buy my clothes at a thrift store when needed
I have noticed We do waste on food and utility energy. I need to be more mindful of buying less groceries now that there are only two of us to eat everything!
Can you give some examples of high quality items to buy vs things to not? thanks
Quality reliable car like a Toyota vs a Kia or Ford. Quality shoes, quality jackets, quality eye glasses, quality electronics
Buy a high quality classic clothing piece instead of a cheap one. Example:I have and wear frequently (in the winter) a well made, quality material, black wool JCrew pencil skirt that goes just below my knees. I paid a lot for it when I bought it, but it has lasted me almost 20 years. (It’s still in great shape! I’m hoping to get 20 more years out of it! Look for quality! “Expensive” is not the same as quality, but quality is usually more expensive than the cheap items!!
Money has way way to much value attached to it. Makes people very selfish and greedy. Yes too much food is wasted everyday, we are a very wasteful Society, not just food but everything. Too many shops and over consumerism.😣🙏🏻🙏🏻
I am so glad I found your channel, you have some life altering lessons that will make your life more structured and your finances better! Even to how you speak about managing your health🙏❤