18 things you spend too much money on

1. Utilities

Utility rates make up a significant part of our spending, and they also have a terrible tendency to go up all the time. According to the latest data, Sberbank ranked the average expenses of the population, on average 15.2% of the income of Russian residents goes to paying for utility bills. Electricity, water, heating are expensive, but living without all these joys of civilization, frankly speaking, is not fun.

How to save money. There are many ways. For example, you can replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient ones: they use less energy - savings can be up to 80%. How Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs Compare with Traditional Incandescents. Choose more energy efficient appliances: old appliances consume a lot of electricity.

Fix the dripping faucet and turn off the water when you don't need it, such as when brushing your teeth and the stream is wasted into the sink. Install aerators: they really reduce water consumption at the same head. Check the insulation in your apartment. And, of course, a piece of advice that has set the teeth on edge: when leaving the room, turn off the light.

2. Food

According to statistics, Sberbank predicted the persistence of high expenses of Russians on food, Russians spend a third of their budget on food. And the statement that you can eat well for 3,500 rubles a month is somewhat exaggerated.

However, you can still cut down on food costs. Of course, provided that you know how to cook. And if you don't know how, it's time to learn.

How to save money. Plan your meals: make a menu for the week and describe in detail what dishes and when you are going to cook and what you need to buy for this. Buy bulk products with a long shelf life - cereals, pasta, flour, coffee, sugar and salt. Get a vacuum sealer for longer shelf life. Freeze fruits and vegetables in reserve. And be sure to keep track of stocks in the supermarket, compare prices and buy cheap counterparts.

3. Restaurants, bars and cafes

Continuing the topic of food, let's talk about catering places. Well, restaurants and bars are evil. Food and drinks are sold there at crazy markups, because the owners of the establishments have to pay rent and salaries to the staff. This is probably why more and more Russians prefer the average spending of Russians on food delivery equaled the check in restaurants to cook food at home or order it online. Try to give up going to cafes and you.

How to save money. Forget dining out in restaurants. Homemade food is not only cheaper but also tastier. And especially impressionable personalities will not be tormented by doubts whether the waitress dropped her hair into the soup and whether the dishes were washed well enough. Instead of meeting in a cafe, invite your friends to visit you: you will not only benefit financially, but you will also be able to enjoy the comfort of your home.

4. Smartphones

Many people are obsessed with the idea of owning the newest, top-end smartphone. And flagships are not cheap toys. Moreover, sometimes a smartphone is primarily interesting not for its capabilities, but for its logo, which can be boasted to friends and colleagues. The most obvious example is the iPhone, which has become a kind of status symbol.

Smartphones are also rapidly becoming obsolete. You bought a flagship, a year passes, and another model is rolled out to the market, which has a little more pixels, gigabytes and gigahertz. Does this mean that it's time to part with an old, but serviceable gadget and shell out money for a new one? Of course no.

How to save money. Thanks to the development of Chinese technologies, now on the market you can find a lot of smartphones that are cheaper than branded gadgets, but can practically do the same. For example, the Xiaomi Mi 9 takes photos better than the iPhone XS Max, but costs less. And all smartphones can call, send messages in messengers and social networks, play video and music more or less the same way. So why pay more?

And chasing new products is a waste of money. Nowadays, most gadgets have minimal differences from previous models. So don't buy a new smartphone if the old one still works great.

5. Bottled water

There is no life without water. It is quite possible, therefore, that bottled drinking water is a commodity with a huge mark-up. It's too expensive to buy it every time you go to work or the gym. In addition to the liquid itself and a disposable container with a lid and a label, the supplier includes in the cost the costs of bottling, personnel and delivery, as well as amounts to cover costs and make a profit.

How to save money. Get a filter and purify the water yourself. Or boil it. Then pour into a bottle and carry with you wherever you go. But keep in mind that plastic bottles are not suitable for this: it is harmful to reuse them. Antimony leaching from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic used for bottled drinking water is reused. In addition, plastic pollutes the environment. Therefore, buy a reusable bottle and forget about unnecessary expenses.

6. Cable TV

Pay TV is a great way to waste your money. Yes, you will have a hundred or two extra channels, but not the fact that there is something interesting on them.

How to save money. Give up cable TV. In the age of the Internet, any movie, TV series or show can be watched on demand at any time convenient for you. And no TV program and aimless channel switching.

7. Gym membership

Gyms, of course, are different, including not very expensive ones. But all the same, if you bought a monthly subscription, and only 3-4 trainings left, then the money can be considered wasted. Another point is the payment of the trainer. If you are completely new to sports, then you cannot do without a mentor. But over time, his services become overly burdensome.

How to save money. Try exercising at home. If you can't do without a gym, at least give up the coach. Work with him only the first time: he must supply you with the technique. Ask for a workout program. And then you can continue on your own.

8. Gasoline

Despite the fact that we live in an energy superpower, the price of gasoline is not at all encouraging. According to statistics How much money do Russians spend on fueling a car?, every fifth Russian spends about 4,000 rubles a month on fuel for cars.

How to save money. Check your car manufacturer's instructions and don't buy gasoline with a higher octane rating than recommended: it still won't make your car faster. Avoid traffic jams to use less fuel when the engine is idling. Keep your tires inflated. And never go dashing on the roads: this will affect not only your economy, but also your safety.

Another option is to take a taxi. Now, with the development of mobile applications and aggregators, it is not difficult to compare prices and choose the cheapest services. Finally, do not forget about such an invention as the bicycle. It will help not only save money, but also improve physical fitness. Moreover, this transport is safe for the environment.

9. Coffee

Yes, in the lists of tips on "how to save" the item about coffee is already a cliché. But this did not make it less relevant. In coffee shops, this drink is sold with a large mark-up: its price includes a disposable glass, and a fee for a smiling barista, and rent, and a bunch of other costs. So coffee becomes an expensive pleasure - especially if you drink it in large quantities.

How to save money. Make your own coffee. If you are an avid coffee lover and are very picky about the taste of the drink, get yourself a coffee maker. Many coffee machines can be programmed in the evening to brew a fresh drink in the morning. So it will not take too much time and effort in the morning. And buy an airtight thermo mug: it will keep the coffee warm longer and cannot be accidentally crushed like a paper cup.

10. Plastic bags

It would seem that plastic bags from supermarkets are an inexpensive thing, but a rather noticeable amount accumulates over the year. This money could be used more profitably. Anyway, in most cases, packets are simply thrown away. And at the same time, not only your wallet suffers, but also the environment: plastic bags will decompose Comparison of Environmental Impact of Plastic, Paper and Cloth Bags 400 years, or even longer.

How to save money. A reusable bag will save you from unnecessary waste and the planet from pollution. The main thing is that it is roomy enough.

11. Medicines

Medicines are expensive and their prices also tend to rise. According to Rosstat's Consumer Price Index in August 2019, even seemingly simple medicines such as motherwort tincture and iodine have risen in price over the past month. But you still can't do without drugs: not all diseases can be cured with plantain.

How to save money. First of all, do not get sick. And for this, do not forget about prevention: dress warmer, temper, eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle. Maintain good dental health now - spend less on dentists in the future. If you do get sick and your doctor has prescribed a medication for you, ask if he has any cheaper alternatives. And buy only products with proven effectiveness, otherwise just throw your money down the drain.

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12. Books

I understand that books are sacred. A source of knowledge and pleasure, a creative and cultural heritage of centuries, nothing beats the smell of a new book and so on. To abandon them means to start slowly but surely degrade. True, the price tag for paper editions makes it uncomfortable. But there is still a way out.

How to save money. Sign up to the library and exchange books with other reading lovers, since social networks help with this. Buy used books from second-hand bookstores. Finally, get an e-reader. Digital editions are usually cheaper than paper editions, and if you use subscriptions and discounts on book services, you will save even more. There are also completely free e-books - from the classics that have moved to the public domain.

13. Toiletries

Take a look at your bathroom shelf. There must be a bunch of all sorts of gels, shampoos, scrubs, ointments, creams and some expensive scented soaps. Do you really need more than one type of lotion and hair wash?

How to save money. If you have less sensitive skin, replace your aftershave with plain cool water. Instead of a body scrub that is constantly running out, a hard washcloth will do: it is both cheaper and more durable. And it is not necessary to buy expensive gels and shampoos: more budgetary counterparts work just as well.

14. Household chemicals

Dishwashing detergents, kitchen, toilet and other household chemicals are very expensive. In addition, all this is quickly consumed. And there are also expensive, but completely useless products: for example, a blockage cleaner that will never work like a sewer cable. Or fabric softener.

How to save money. You can give up household chemicals at least in part by switching to home remedies. For example, you can replace descaling liquid for a washing machine with citric acid. Wash the gas stove with regular baking soda, which in combination with vinegar essence can be used to unclog a clogged sink. And replace your kitchen paper towels with reusable ones - they'll last much longer.

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15. Programs, applications and games

A lot of applications both on computers and smartphones ask for money. And when it's some kind of useful thing, it's not a pity to pay off. But all sorts of microtransactions in games (pay and get this cool hat!) Are very annoying. Or paid functions in applications that are not particularly needed, but constantly remind of themselves. Do you spend money on that? Why?!

How to save money. Before buying a cool new app, look online to see if it has free alternatives. The vast majority of programs have one. There is no need to lay out your hard-earned money for an antivirus: products with a free license are no worse. Don't spend a lot on professional Photoshop if you only want to remove the red glare in the eyes in a photo: GIMP is enough for this. Buy games on Steam during sales - discounts there sometimes go up to 60%. And remove your card data from Google Play - this way you will be less tempted to buy unnecessary nonsense.

16. Contact lenses

They are very, very comfortable. Lenses are just a salvation for those who are uncomfortable with glasses. You won't forget them at home, it's harder to lose them (if you don't rub your eyes, of course). But they are expensive.

How to save money. Buy yourself some simple, cheap glasses and wear them at home when no one is looking at you. Rest your eyes at the same time. Wear lenses only if you are going somewhere. This way they will last you longer. And be sure to compare the prices of lenses in different optics in order to choose the most suitable option.

17. Pet supplies

Does your cat or dog really need this cool house, stylish jumpsuit with patterns and pompoms, clockwork bone and running wheel? It seems that such things amuse the owners more than their pets.

How to save money. Homemade toys are also fine for the animals. After all, once a candy wrapper tied to a rope was enough to play with a cat.

18. Cigarettes

Here, in general, there is nothing even to say. Cheap cigarettes are disgusting to smoke. And expensive ones taste better, but their use is literally the process of turning money into smoke, to paraphrase a little the aphorism of Queen Elizabeth I.

How to save money. Stop smoking. If you can't stop this addiction for now, at least reduce the number of cigarettes you consume per day. If you can stretch the pack for a week - already savings. Alternatively, switch to homemade cigarettes and buy tobacco and tissue paper separately in bulk.