Even if you watch your wallet and pinch your pennies, there are plenty of ways that we can be more mindful of the money we’re spending—not in the form of cash coming out of our wallet or pulling out our credit card, but by being wasteful of supplies that we’ve already paid for.
University Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five ways that just about every American has wasted their money at one point or another.
- Not Returning Defective Items
Whether it’s a rotten piece of meat from the grocery store or an item of clothes you get in the mail that doesn’t fit, it might be on our to-do list to go get our money back for those things, but sometimes it slips through the cracks and we don’t do it. In fact, one poll found that 91% of online shoppers in the U.S. either rarely or never return something they buy online!
- Not Being a Smart Shopper
Between different items on sale and some stores just having cheaper products in general, breaking up your grocery store trip to two or three different locations can save you a bunch of money. And if you don’t have time to galivant around town, most stores will offer a price-match guarantee, so if you can prove that an item is cheaper at a competing store, the original store will usually honor that price.
- Gym Memberships
If you have a membership to a gym, check to see how much you’re paying per month and how often you’re using it. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many gyms have popped up in areas that offer very affordable monthly prices, so now might be a good time to switch.
- Trying to “Keep up With the Joneses”
Every situation is different, so if you’re easily influenced by goodies and vacations that neighbors, friends, and family are splurging on—especially with access to these “humble brags” being easier to see than ever on social media—be sure to think twice and not be reactionary before pulling the trigger on an extravagant purchase.
To learn more about University Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://university-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
