In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to let small expenses add up without realizing how much they’re draining your wallet. Whether it’s the convenience of a quick delivery or the allure of a daily latte, these habits can quietly sabotage your savings goals. But the good news? By identifying and eliminating (or reducing) just a handful of them, you can reclaim hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars each year. This isn’t about deprivation; it’s about smart choices that free up money for what truly matters, like travel, investments, or an emergency fund.
In this in-depth guide, I’ll break down 15 common things you can cut out to save money. For each one, I’ll explain why it’s a money leak, estimate potential annual savings (based on average U.S. spending habits), and offer practical alternatives. These tips are drawn from real-life budgeting strategies that have helped countless people build wealth. Let’s dive in and start trimming the fat from your budget!
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1. Food Delivery Services (Like DoorDash or Uber Eats)
Food delivery apps promise convenience, but those fees, tips, and markups turn a $10 meal into a $25 splurge. If you’re ordering a few times a week, it adds up fast—often $50–$100 per session.
Why cut it? Delivery encourages impulse eating and skips the planning that saves money on groceries. Plus, you’re paying for someone else’s labor when you could cook at home.
Potential savings: $1,000–$2,000 per year if you order 2–3 times weekly.
Alternatives: Meal prep on weekends using affordable ingredients. Try apps like Mealime for quick recipes, or stock your pantry with staples for easy homemade versions of your favorites. If you crave variety, opt for grocery pickup services like Walmart’s, which are often free.
2. Cable TV Subscriptions
With streaming on the rise, traditional cable feels like a relic—but many households still pay $100+ monthly for channels they barely watch.
Why cut it? Bundled packages include filler content, and hidden fees inflate the bill. You’re essentially subsidizing ads and outdated tech.
Potential savings: $1,200–$2,400 annually for a standard package.
Alternatives: Switch to free or low-cost streaming like Pluto TV, Tubi, or ad-supported tiers of Hulu/Netflix. For live sports or news, use antennas for over-the-air channels or apps like ESPN+ ($10/month). Audit what you actually watch and consolidate to one or two services.
3. Dining Out at Restaurants
Eating at sit-down spots is a treat, but frequent lunches or dinners out can cost $20–$50 per person, especially with apps and drinks.
Why cut it? It’s not just the food—taxes, tips, and ambiance markups make it 2–3x more expensive than home-cooked meals. Social pressure often leads to overspending.
Potential savings: $1,500–$3,000 per year if you dine out 2–3 times weekly.
Alternatives: Host potlucks with friends or recreate restaurant recipes at home (sites like Allrecipes have dupes for popular dishes). For work lunches, pack salads or sandwiches—invest in a good lunchbox to make it enjoyable. Limit outings to special occasions for maximum impact.
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4. Daily Coffee Shop Visits (Like Starbucks)
That $5–$7 latte habit might seem harmless, but grabbing one every workday equates to over $1,000 yearly, not counting upgrades like syrups or pastries.
Why cut it? It’s a classic “latte factor”—small daily spends that erode your budget without providing lasting value. Home brewing is cheaper and customizable.
Potential savings: $800–$1,500 per year for daily buyers.
Alternatives: Invest in a quality coffee maker (like a $30 French press) and buy beans in bulk. Flavor it up with homemade syrups from simple ingredients like sugar and vanilla. If you need the routine, brew at home and use a travel mug—many offices have free coffee too.
5. Fast Food Drive-Thrus
Quick burgers or tacos are tempting for busy days, but $8–$15 meals multiple times a week pile on costs and calories.
Why cut it? Portion sizes encourage overeating, and they’re often less nutritious than home options. Chains rely on upselling to boost your tab.
Potential savings: $500–$1,000 annually if you hit the drive-thru 2–3 times weekly.
Alternatives: Keep frozen meals or quick-assembly kits (like salad jars) ready. Apps like Too Good To Go sell surplus fast food at discounts if you can’t quit cold turkey. Focus on meal planning to avoid hunger-driven decisions.
6. Ordering Pizza from Domino’s or Similar Chains
A large pizza from Domino’s or other chains can easily cost $15–$25 with toppings, delivery fees, and tips, especially if you order weekly.
Why cut it? The convenience comes at a premium—frozen pizzas cost 2/3 less (around $5–$8 each) and taste comparable with the right prep. Delivery fees and minimums also inflate the bill unnecessarily.
Potential savings: $500–$1,000 per year if you order pizza once weekly.
Alternatives: Stock up on high-quality frozen pizzas from brands like DiGiorno or Trader Joe’s. Customize with extra cheese or veggies at home for a fraction of the cost. If you love fresh dough, buy pre-made dough or make your own (flour and yeast are dirt cheap). For occasional cravings, use coupons or pickup deals to skip delivery fees.
7. Impulse Additions to Your Amazon Cart
Scrolling Amazon and adding “just one more thing” leads to frequent $20–$50 orders, often with shipping if you’re not Prime-savvy.
Why cut it? The platform’s algorithms push unnecessary buys, turning wants into “needs.” Free shipping thresholds encourage padding your cart.
Potential savings: $500–$1,500 per year for habitual shoppers.
Alternatives: Implement a 24-hour wait rule for non-essentials. Use wish lists to track items and compare prices elsewhere (like Walmart or eBay). Cancel Prime if you don’t use it enough—it’s $139/year alone.
8. Multiple Streaming Subscriptions
Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video—the list grows, and so does the $10–$20 per service monthly bill.
Why cut it? Most people rotate through content but pay for idle accounts. Overlap means you’re double-paying for similar shows.
Potential savings: $200–$500 annually by trimming to 1–2 services.
Alternatives: Cycle subscriptions monthly based on what’s new (e.g., binge one show, then switch). Share family plans or use library apps like Hoopla for free movies. Free tiers or YouTube often suffice for casual viewing.
9. Unused Gym Memberships
Paying $30–$100 monthly for a gym you visit sporadically is like flushing money down the drain.
Why cut it? Life gets busy, and motivation wanes, but auto-payments continue. Many gyms make cancellation tricky.
Potential savings: $360–$1,200 per year.
Alternatives: Switch to free home workouts via YouTube (channels like Fitness Blender) or apps like Nike Training Club. Outdoor activities like running or community classes are low-cost. If you need structure, try ClassPass for pay-per-class flexibility.
10. Bottled Water
Grabbing a $1–$2 bottle daily seems minor, but it adds up, especially at events or on the go.
Why cut it? Tap water is free and often just as safe (with filters). Plastic waste is an environmental bonus to quitting.
Potential savings: $200–$500 yearly for regular buyers.
Alternatives: Invest in a reusable bottle ($10–$20) and a home filter like Brita. Flavor with fruit infusions if plain water bores you. Many public spots have refill stations now.
11. Brand-Name Groceries and Products
Opting for name brands over generics can inflate your shopping bill by 20–50%.
Why cut it? Marketing drives the premium, but ingredients are often identical. Blind tests show little difference.
Potential savings: $500–$1,000 on annual groceries.
Alternatives: Shop store brands at places like Aldi or Costco. Compare unit prices and try generics first—return if unsatisfied. Apps like Ibotta offer cashback on switches.
12. Unused Magazine or App Subscriptions
Digital or print subs for $5–$20 monthly stack up if forgotten.
Why cut it? Content goes unread amid busy schedules, and free alternatives abound.
Potential savings: $100–$300 per year per sub.
Alternatives: Use library apps like Libby for free magazines. News aggregators like Flipboard curate content without costs. Audit your bank statements quarterly to cancel stragglers.
13. Lottery Tickets or Casual Gambling
A $2–$5 ticket here and there feels fun, but odds are against you.
Why cut it? It’s essentially a tax on hope, with negligible wins. Habitual play drains funds better used elsewhere.
Potential savings: $200–$1,000 annually for weekly players.
Alternatives: Redirect funds to high-yield savings or stocks for real growth. For thrills, try free games or skill-based hobbies like puzzles.
14. Cigarettes or Vaping Products
Packs at $7–$10 daily are a major expense, plus health costs.
Why cut it? Beyond money, it impacts long-term finances via medical bills. Quitting boosts energy too.
Potential savings: $2,000–$4,000 per year for pack-a-day users.
Alternatives: Use quit-smoking apps like QuitNow or patches (initial cost, long-term save). Join support groups for accountability. Redirect savings to a “quit fund” reward.
15. Frequent Ride-Sharing (Like Uber or Lyft)
Rides at $10–$30 per trip beat owning a car for some, but daily use rivals gas costs.
Why cut it? Surge pricing and tips make it unpredictable. Public options are undervalued.
Potential savings: $500–$1,500 annually for commuters.
Alternatives: Use buses, bikes, or carpool apps like Waze. For ownership, calculate true costs—sometimes it’s cheaper long-term. Walk for short trips to save and stay fit.
Wrapping It Up: Start Small, Save Big
Cutting these 15 items isn’t about living like a monk—it’s about intentional spending. Start with 2–3 that resonate most, track your progress with apps like Mint, and watch your savings grow. Over time, you could pocket $5,000–$10,000 extra yearly, depending on your habits. Remember, the key is consistency and finding joy in alternatives. What’s one thing you’ll cut first? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!
If you’re serious about budgeting, consider resources like “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey or free tools from NerdWallet. Happy saving!
Related Books to Find Out More Ways to Cut Expenses:
How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck