I love saving money as much as the next person, and buying big-ticket items used is a good way to do it. Facebook Marketplace is a super easy way to score deals near you … but there are certain things you should stay far away from.
Money tight? 10 ways you're wasting cash (even when you think you're saving)
Photo © Nikola Bilic | Dreamtime
You might think, “There’s no bad way to save money.” In reality, there’s a lot you can do wrong — no matter how good your intentions are. Tap or click here for five ways you’re wasting money on tech purchases.
Many savings tips and tricks you’ll find are just different ways you’re throwing money away. Adhering to bad advice can burn a hole in your wallet. If you’re trying to get better at saving money in 2022, don’t do any of the things on this list.
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1. Buying the cheapest charging cables you can find
Being frugal can be expensive. You might come across counterfeits if you’re hunting for the lowest possible prices on charging cables. This isn’t good for two reasons.
First, you’ll be buying more charging cords to replace the cheap ones when they inevitably break down.
Second, cheap charging cords can be dangerous. One girl woke up to an enflamed blanket after her charger caught fire and spread the flames to her bed. So if you need to buy a replacement, get an official or certified cable instead of a low-priced alternative.
2. Forgetting when the trial period on your streaming service runs out
One of streamers’ biggest money mistakes is signing up for free trials and not canceling before the first charge kicks in.
You may think, “Hey, signing up for this free trial is a great way to get good content without paying.” Well, that’s true … for a time. But it’s incredibly easy to forget and overspend on services you aren’t using.
Tap or click here for the best way to set a reminder, so you know when the trial period runs out.
3. Signing up for too many streaming services
Warning: Free VPNs are putting you at risk
© Spaxia | Dreamstime.com
There’s nothing wrong with trying to save a little money every now and then. Cutting back on dining out or getting a $6 latte every day is a good place to start.
But one thing you definitely don’t want to skimp on is online security. You think you’re saving money with free VPN downloads or apps, but they will cost you in the end.
Stop guessing and start saving: This savings goal calculator from Clark.com takes the guesswork out of saving money. Enter your desired amount, current savings and how often you plan to contribute, and the calculator will show you exactly how much you need to save each month to reach your goal. Subscribe to Clark’s free newsletter for more must-have money tips every day.
Saving money for the holidays
With the holidays around the corner, you could be dropping cash on streaming for shows you barely watch! Here’s how to keep your wallet happy without missing a beat.