What do you waste money on?

[Rollerskaterabbit]

This year I'm trying to identify what I waste money on and try and stop it!

For me the biggest wasters are shop bought coffees and pre packaged foods!

Sometimes I get lazy and stop taking packed lunches to work. That's a financial and diet disaster.

trying very hard not to waste money anymore

used to be clothes, fizzy pop, lots of general tat that turned into clutter.

coffees out worth every penny.

still waste money occasionally on make-up (got loads)
when on offer (3 for 2) when I only wanted a lip gloss for e.g.
and baking stuff

Craft stuff - have a cupboard, actually two, one for me & one for kids - full of aspirational purchases. I should buy for a specific project but instead I just buy random stuff because it looks pretty. TBF I have largely stopped this now but need to make myself do some actual projects.

I don't waste money.
I refuse to be lured in by the promise of the marketing men, so I spend my money wisely.

My gym membership is not a waste as it keeps me fit. I like good food so buying watercress and blueberries is not a waste to me either.

I don't have much interest in clothes, handbags or shoes and don't buy magazines either.

Any money that is spare I save.

I dont think I waste money on books, but I do but quite a few a month, probably about 10 or so. DH would think its a waste, and has been heard to say 'but don't you have enough books already'

Stopped buying shop coffees and using coffee machine at work instead.

Trying to cut down on dinners out, it'a part of the culture here and I often have to go out for work so quite difficult, but reducing!

On a clothes ban for January and will try for February too.

Luxuries that make me happy: good chocolate and good (not luxury brand) skincare and fragrance, and red lipstick.
Real wastes: bank fees, library fines, parking and speeding tickets, and "impulse" clothes.
The goal for this year is none of the waste spending, and not to worry about genuine little treats.

Mcgilly- bank fees, library fines, parking and speeding tickets, and "impulse" clothes- those things are a real waste of money. I avoid them all, including impulse buys of expensive clothes.

Most of my clothes come from jumble sales anyway so I can be as impulsive as i like there!!! My last Monsoon winter coat cost me 50p.

Takeaways and baby clothes.

DDs have clothes with tags on yet I still buy more!! How can I stop this?!

Coffee. I have a cappuccino a day habit. I am currently trying to have 2 days a week without buying one. It's a proper addiction!
Other than that we are fairly frugal. Though like a previous poster we don't scrimp on activities for the dc.

I think it helps to work out the annual cost of regular purchases.- a tip from moneysavingexpert.

So if you buy a coffee a day at work costing £2, then over the year that cost £480 a year, add a magazine a week on top of that spending at £4 a week and the annual cost becomes £672.

Angels- re the baby clothes- just stop buying them? Your baby will love you just the same with or without a huge wardrobe full of clothes.

Hmm. I don't think we waste any money!! Obviously we spend on things other people would think are a waste, just as we think they waste money on stuff!

I do not waste money at all. Everything I buy has been accounted for.

I only go to coffee shops to meet friends - no more than 5 times a year.

We bring packed lunch to work as well as all snacks.

We do not buy food/snacks when out and about. Instead we buy multipacks of snacks and drinks.

We only eat out or buy take aways on special occasions.

I stopped buying magazines 5 years ago.

I wash and colour my own hair.

At times it is downright depressing living so frugally. However, I look forward to being debt free.

I do not waste money at all. Everything I buy has been accounted for.

I only go to coffee shops to meet friends - no more than 5 times a year.

We bring packed lunch to work as well as all snacks.

We do not buy food/snacks when out and about. Instead we buy multipacks of snacks and drinks.

We only eat out or buy take aways on special occasions.

I stopped buying magazines 5 years ago.

I wash and colour my own hair.

At times it is downright depressing living so frugally. However, I look forward to being debt free.

Baby clothes - DD has clothes that have barely been worn before she grows out of them - usually because she's had an unexpected growth spurt or the weather has changed. Not sure how to avoid this. I could just buy cheapo ebay clothes bundles but they wouldn't suit DD as well as stuff I've chosen.

Woolens that DH and I have bought that the moths have eaten I am fighting an ongoing battle but just can't seem to get rid of the feckers.

We do spend plenty on other things (including buying our lunches every work day instead of packed lunch) but I think that's worth it so not a waste.

minipie- when you say "suit your DD"- what do you mean?

When my kids were babies comfort and warmth were paramount.

Things like nice coffee while we're out, having my nails done, buying nice food make going to work worthwhile, over and above having a roof over our heads etc. I don't see this like that as wasteful.

Buying clothes you won't wear, food you won't eat and gym membership you won't use is wasteful.

I don't think that I do waste money simply because I am tight to the extreme.

I run a budget. Go without & make do an awful lot.
Nothing martyrish, just a very strong habitual ritual that I have done for years.

We are debt free (apart from a small mortgage) but live comfortably with holidays and savings and we don't worry about money.

It's a good system.

Well I like her to look nice, especially now she's older. She looks dreadful in some colours and styles and wonderful in others.

Food - forever in Waitrose buying delicious meat, cheese, wine and artisan chocolate.

Books - Amazon is the devil and on my alphabetized bank statement, an embarrassing entry! Grazia every Tuesday

Volunteer in a charity shop and when you are dealing with items other people don't want, you will find that you will review your own purchases carefully. PS stops the boredom factor which can lead to frivolous shopping and coffee out etc.

DVDs! And apps/iTunes stuff. It's better now we each have a personal budget though. So all DVDs, games etc have to be bought out of that - we even record it

The other big weakness is snacks, drinks etc when out and about. We are really trying to keep that in check now and considering budgeting for that as well.

Bawabod I found the exact opposite to be true I spent a sodding fortune when I volunteered in a charity shop even with my discount! DCs were spoilt rotten with old board games, books etc.

It was a great experience though. At the time it was actually the most successful branch in the country, I think because they are very strict about what they sell and unlike other local charity shops will only put games/puzzles out if 100% complete. I've become very fussy about charity shopping since volunteering there.

Coffee and snacks when out and about. I literally cannot go to the shops and come home without getting a 'posh coffee'.