15 Things to Stop Buying to Save $500 a Month

If you're like most people, you probably wonder where all your money goes each month. The truth is, it's not usually the big purchases that drain your bank account—it's the small, recurring expenses that add up to hundreds of dollars without you even noticing.

I've identified 15 common purchases that most households can eliminate or drastically reduce. By cutting these expenses, you can save $500 or more every single month. That's $6,000 a year that could go toward your emergency fund, retirement, or that vacation you've been dreaming about.

1. Bottled Water ($30-40/month)

The average American household spends between $30 and $40 monthly on bottled water. That's money literally going down the drain when tap water in most areas is perfectly safe and virtually free.

Invest in a quality reusable water bottle and a water filter pitcher if you're concerned about taste or quality. You'll break even within a month and save hundreds annually while reducing plastic waste.

Monthly savings: $35

2. Coffee Shop Drinks ($75-120/month)

That daily $5 latte might seem harmless, but it adds up to $150 a month if you're going twice a day or $75 if it's once daily. Over a year, you're looking at $900 to $1,800 just for coffee shop visits.

Make coffee at home and invest in a good travel mug. If you crave the coffee shop experience, limit yourself to once or twice a week as a treat rather than a daily habit.

Monthly savings: $90

3. Paper Towels ($15-25/month)

Most households go through a roll of paper towels every few days, spending $15 to $25 monthly on something they immediately throw away. It's one of the easiest expenses to eliminate completely.

Switch to reusable microfiber cloths or cut-up old t-shirts for cleaning. They work better than paper towels, can be washed hundreds of times, and you'll never run out at an inconvenient moment.

Monthly savings: $20

4. Dryer Sheets ($8-12/month)

Dryer sheets are marketed as essential, but they're completely unnecessary. They add fragrance and reduce static, but there are free and more effective alternatives that don't leave chemical residue on your clothes.

Use wool dryer balls (a one-time purchase of $10-15 that lasts for years) or add a quarter cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle. Your clothes will be just as soft without the monthly expense.

Monthly savings: $10

5. Pre-Cut Produce ($40-60/month)

Pre-cut fruits and vegetables can cost 2-3 times more than whole produce. If you're buying pre-sliced apples, pre-chopped onions, or pre-spiralized zucchini, you're paying a premium for five minutes of convenience.

Buy whole produce and spend a few minutes washing and cutting it yourself. You'll get fresher food that lasts longer and save a significant amount on your grocery bill each month.

For more ways to reduce your grocery spending, check out my guide on how to cut your grocery bill in half.

Monthly savings: $50

6. Name-Brand Cleaning Supplies ($30-50/month)

Name-brand cleaning products can cost twice as much as store brands or DIY alternatives with identical ingredients. Marketing has convinced us we need specialized cleaners for every surface, but it's simply not true.

Make your own all-purpose cleaner with vinegar, water, and a few drops of dish soap, or buy store-brand versions. For 90% of cleaning tasks, you only need a few basic supplies.

Monthly savings: $40

7. Extended Warranties ($20-40/month)

Extended warranties are pure profit for retailers, which is why salespeople push them so aggressively. Most products either break within the manufacturer's warranty period or last well beyond any extended coverage.

Skip extended warranties on everything except possibly major appliances, and even then, consider whether your credit card already provides purchase protection. Put that money in a savings account instead.

Monthly savings: $30

8. Cable TV ($80-150/month)

With streaming services costing $10-20 each, cable TV's $100+ monthly price tag is harder to justify than ever. Most cable subscribers watch only a fraction of the channels they pay for.

Cut the cord and subscribe to one or two streaming services that have the content you actually watch. Rotate subscriptions seasonally to watch different shows without paying for everything year-round.

Monthly savings: $100

9. Single-Use Plastics ($15-25/month)

Plastic bags, plastic wrap, disposable utensils, and other single-use plastics might seem cheap individually, but they add up. Plus, you're constantly running out and making extra trips to the store.

Invest in reusable alternatives like silicone storage bags, beeswax wraps, and a set of real utensils to keep in your car or bag. These one-time purchases eliminate the recurring expense entirely.

Monthly savings: $20

10. Lottery Tickets ($20-100/month)

The lottery is sometimes called a tax on people who are bad at math, and for good reason. The odds of winning are astronomically low, yet many people spend $20 to $100 monthly chasing an unlikely dream.

If you enjoy the excitement, limit yourself to $5 monthly and put the rest into a high-yield savings account or index fund. You'll actually see your money grow instead of disappearing into someone else's pocket.

Monthly savings: $50

11. Impulse Amazon Purchases ($50-100/month)

One-click ordering makes it dangerously easy to accumulate small purchases that seem insignificant but total $50 to $100 monthly. Between Prime Day deals, recommendations, and convenience, Amazon can drain your budget without you realizing it.

Delete the Amazon app from your phone and implement a 48-hour rule for all non-essential purchases. Add items to your cart but wait two days before buying—you'll find many items no longer seem necessary.

Monthly savings: $75

12. Premium Gas ($30-50/month)

Unless your car's manual specifically requires premium gas, you're wasting money every time you fill up. Most vehicles run perfectly fine on regular unleaded, and premium fuel doesn't improve performance or longevity in cars not designed for it.

Check your owner's manual and switch to regular gas if premium isn't required. If it says "recommended" but not "required," regular will work just fine in most driving conditions.

Monthly savings: $40

13. Gym Membership You Don't Use ($30-60/month)

Americans waste over $1.8 billion annually on gym memberships they rarely use. If you're going less than twice a week, you're paying more per visit than a drop-in rate would cost.

Cancel the membership and work out at home with free YouTube videos, or exercise outdoors. If you need structured workouts, consider a low-cost app-based program or pay-per-class options that ensure you only pay when you actually go.

Monthly savings: $45

14. Fast Fashion ($40-80/month)

Cheap, trendy clothing might seem like a bargain, but fast fashion items wear out quickly, requiring constant replacement. This cycle of buying and discarding keeps you spending month after month.

Buy fewer, higher-quality pieces that last for years instead of seasons. Shop secondhand or wait for sales on quality brands. You'll spend less overall and have a better-looking wardrobe.

Monthly savings: $60

15. Food Delivery Apps ($80-200/month)

Food delivery apps charge restaurant prices plus delivery fees, service fees, and tips, often doubling the cost of the actual food. If you're ordering three to four times a week, you could be spending $150 to $200 monthly on fees alone.

Commit to cooking at home or picking up takeout yourself when you want restaurant food. Meal planning and batch cooking on weekends makes weeknight dinners easier and eliminates the temptation to order in.

For inspiration on growing your own fresh ingredients, learn how to start an herb garden on your kitchen windowsill.

Monthly savings: $120

Your Total Monthly Savings: $815

Let's add up the savings from cutting these 15 expenses:

• Bottled water: $35
• Coffee shop drinks: $90
• Paper towels: $20
• Dryer sheets: $10
• Pre-cut produce: $50
• Name-brand cleaning supplies: $40
• Extended warranties: $30
• Cable TV: $100
• Single-use plastics: $20
• Lottery tickets: $50
• Impulse Amazon purchases: $75
• Premium gas: $40
• Unused gym membership: $45
• Fast fashion: $60
• Food delivery apps: $120

Total: $815 per month or $9,780 per year

You don't have to cut all 15 items to see significant savings. Even eliminating half of these expenses would put an extra $400 in your pocket every month. The key is identifying which recurring purchases add the least value to your life and eliminating those first.

Making the Changes Stick

Cutting expenses is one thing, but making the changes permanent requires a shift in mindset. Start by tracking your spending for one month to identify your biggest money drains. You might be surprised by what you discover.

Next, tackle one or two categories at a time rather than trying to overhaul everything at once. Success builds momentum, and small wins make it easier to tackle bigger changes later.

Finally, redirect your savings toward a specific goal. Whether it's paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a down payment, having a target makes it easier to resist temptation.

Beyond These 15 Items

Once you've eliminated these common expenses, you can look for additional savings in your utility bills. Learn how to save money on your electric bill and lower your water bill for even more monthly savings.

The path to financial security isn't about making more money—it's about being intentional with what you already have. These 15 items represent purchases that most people make on autopilot without considering whether they're actually getting value in return.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I resist the temptation to buy these things again?

The key is replacing the convenience or emotional satisfaction with better alternatives. Keep your reusable water bottle filled and with you, brew coffee the night before for easy morning access, and meal prep so you're not tempted by delivery apps. Remove shopping apps from your phone and unsubscribe from promotional emails. The first two weeks are the hardest, but after that, new habits form and the old purchases won't even cross your mind.

Can I really save $500+ by cutting these expenses?

The savings estimates are based on average spending patterns, but your actual savings will depend on your current habits. Track your spending for a month to see where you fall—many people are shocked to discover they're spending even more than these estimates. Even if you only cut half the items on this list, you'll still save $300-400 monthly, which is substantial over a year.

What should I do with the money I save?

The best use depends on your financial situation, but follow this priority order: first, build a $1,000 emergency fund; second, pay off high-interest debt; third, expand your emergency fund to 3-6 months of expenses; fourth, invest in retirement accounts and other long-term goals. Automate transfers to savings or debt payments on the day you get paid so you don't accidentally spend the money you're saving.

Isn't life too short to worry about small purchases like coffee and paper towels?

Life is definitely too short to spend it stressed about money or working extra hours to pay for things that don't bring real value. The question isn't whether you should enjoy life, but whether these specific purchases actually enhance your life or just drain your resources on autopilot. Most people find that eliminating mindless spending actually improves their quality of life because they have more money for things they truly value—whether that's financial security, experiences, or the peace of mind that comes with savings in the bank.

Start Today

You don't need to wait until next month or the new year to start saving. Pick one item from this list and eliminate it today. Delete a food delivery app, cancel that unused gym membership, or brew coffee at home tomorrow morning instead of stopping at the coffee shop.

Small changes compound over time, and before you know it, you'll have hundreds of extra dollars in your account each month. The best time to start saving was yesterday. The second best time is right now.