We’ve covered ten ways (and then ten more) you might be wasting your money by paying too much for items, or spending extra for convenience, but today we have five ways you could be losing money that you hadn’t even noticed.
Sometimes you will get opportunities to up skill at work, or may come across a course that will give you more qualifications. These courses will usually cost money, and often people will opt out due to these costs. However, it is important to think of your long term gains in these situations. If you undertake a course or some kind of program that gives you more skill, will you be eligible for a promotion or perhaps a better paying job? Education is an investment, so be sure to consider the potential long term benefits before passing on the opportunity.
Sustainable living not only has positive impacts on the planet, it can also on your bank account. Leaving lights on and having longer showers can seem insignificant, but they are adding to your bills steadily every day, week, month, and year. By making sure the television is off and your showers aren’t lasting half an hour, you will start to notice your quarterly bills dropping more than you’d expect. Another way you can help the planet and your pocket is to eliminate some single use plastics. Buying disposable products such as glad wrap and flimsy plastic containers will mean you will constantly find yourself back at the grocery store replacing them. Try using wax food covers to replace glad wrap, and consider investing in good quality containers. You will find they last a lot longer, and you won't be replacing them often.
Some banks will charge fees for over-drafting, having a low balance, writing cheques, or making transactions or money transfers. These fees are often small enough that you wouldn’t notice, or wouldn’t think to look into as they seem so insignificant. These fees can add up over time, however, and before you know it, you could have spent a decent amount of money in a year without even realising. We recommend you always keep a look out for small fees in your bank statement, and if something doesn’t look right, give your bank a call, or even consider changing to a different institution.
There are endless types of credit cards we can pick from, yet we will often sign up for the first one our bank throws our way. Doing your research on credit cards, from interest rates, to perks, will definitely save you money in the long run. Using the wrong credit card for your situation can mean you are paying avoidable fees, and missing out on perks that could be hugely beneficial for your life. For example, if you are somebody who is often on planes, you might want to consider looking for a credit card that offers frequent flyer points, or discounts on tickets. There is a credit card to suit everyone’s needs, you just need to do the research to find the one that’s best for you.