7 Things You Should Never Do If You Want To Save Money

If you want to stay broke, keep doing what you’re doing. But if you’re serious about saving money, you don’t need a drastic lifestyle overhaul. Small, consistent habits add up.

I always talk about how you can start investing with just $24 a week. But did you know that 61% of Americans don’t track their spending? Even worse, more than half live paycheck to paycheck. If that’s you, saving even a few bucks can feel impossible.

But here’s the thing: Small changes can add up to $1,300+ per year. Here are 7 things you should stop doing right now if you want to save more money.

1. Stop Buying Takeout Every Day ($5–$10/week)

Look, I get it. Some people can’t function without their morning Starbucks. But just cutting back one day a week can save you $5–$10.

Here’s how:

• Instead of a Caramel Frappuccino ($6), get a Flat White ($3). Boom, $3 saved.
• Love Subway? Don’t go cold Turkey & Bacon Guacamole Footlong ($12). Pack leftovers twice a week instead. That’s $10/day saved.
• Grab a simple cup of soup for $5 instead of a full meal. That’s $7 saved.

Small changes = Big savings.

2. Not Using Cashback & Coupon Apps ($5+/week)

The average grocery bill is $350/month per person. If you’re not using cashback apps, you’re throwing money away.

Here’s how to save:

• Use apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, and Honey to get money back on everyday items.
• Sign up for store loyalty programs for extra discounts.
• Pro Tip: Store-brand cereals taste the same as name brands once they’re in the bowl. Stop overpaying!

3. Paying for Unused Subscriptions ($5–$10/week)

How many subscriptions are silently draining your wallet? Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Disney+... it adds up FAST.

Here’s what to do:

• Audit your subscriptions – Cancel or pause the ones you barely use.
• Use family plans to split costs and save $10 or more per month.

4. Wasting Money on Energy & Water ($3–$5/week)

Your utility bills might seem unavoidable, but a few small changes can cut costs:

• Unplug electronics when not in use. Devices still draw power even when turned off.
• Adjust your thermostat – Just 2 degrees up (summer) or down (winter) can lower your bill.
• Use timers – Don’t blast heat all night. Set it to warm up an hour before you wake up.
• Run full dishwasher and laundry loads – Maximize efficiency.

Total savings? $3–$5 per week.

5. Ignoring Round-Up Savings Apps ($5–$10/week)

Saving doesn’t have to be painful. Many banking apps round up your purchases and put the extra change into savings automatically.

Example:

• You buy lunch for $4.75.
• Your bank rounds it up to $5 and saves $0.25 for you.
• Doing this twice a day saves $3.50/week!

Apps like Acorns and Qapital do this automatically.

6. Driving Everywhere ($5+/week)

I get it. Driving is convenient. But it’s not cheap. And transit really isn’t that bad.

Example:

• Parking in downtown Los Angeles = $24 per day.
• Gas during rush hour? A fortune.
• Park & Ride lots save you over $20/day AND cut your commute time.

Bonus Tip: Use GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas nearby.

7. Not Auditing Your Spending ($5+/week)

Think of budgeting like a diet. You can’t lose weight without tracking food, and you can’t save money without tracking spending.

Here’s how to do it:

• Buy clothes at thrift stores or online marketplaces instead of paying full price.
• Go on midweek date nights – Weekend restaurants are expensive. Tuesday Steak Night > Saturday Date Night.
• Negotiate your insurance – Auto insurance is rising FAST. Shopping around can save you $100s per year. Try out this insurance comparison tool.
• Use budgeting apps like YNAB to track spending without the hassle.

Conclusion: Saving $1,300+ a Year Is Easy

By stopping these 7 money-wasting habits, you can easily save $24/week – that’s $1,300+ per year. And guess what? That money can jumpstart your investment journey. One week you’re spending it and the next you’re investing it!

✅ Check out my Insurance Comparison Tool — Click here

✅ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for wealth-building tips — Click here

Once you stop splurging and start investing, you will be on the road toward financial freedom. Use the link above to visit YouTube and check out my guide on investing $10,000 today.

- Steve