💲 11 Ways You’re Wasting Money — And How To Stop It (AARP Article/updated)

[SpringIsHereVA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

Small steps to cut unnecessary expenses can add up to big savings.

By Maya Dollarhide and Donna Fuscaldo, AARP.

*** There are 2 comments on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. ***

Published October 07, 2021.

➡️[*** Updated June 26, 2025.

Bank fees, unused streaming subscriptions and extended warranties are just a few of the unnecessary costs that can pile up and take a big bite out of your wallet.

If you aren’t watching your spending, it can be easy to blow your budget, especially if you’re retired and living on a fixed income.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/how-to-stop-wasting-money/

[SpringIsHereVA]

Oh yes, Bank Fees really add up. GRATEFUL as long as I have my Retirement Social Security "direct deposit" at Truist, my checking & saving accounts are FREE. Had the SAME setup with my paycheck from when bank was Suntrust. Relieved the "merger" DIDNOT affect that.

I do like HARDCOVER books which can be expensive. But got lucky the last time to find one at Dollar Tree for $1.25. Other than that, FREE Audiobooks through library or Youtube.

The tips in article make sense.

[nctarheel]

One way I save an immense amount of money is as follows:

One of my grocery stores, if you spend $50 on groceries, will sell you either $50 BP gift cards or $50 Exxon gift cards for $40, a discount of 20%. 

My other grocery chain has you earn points based on the dollar value of your groceries. The points are easy to earn and 1000 points translates to $1.00 off at the pump at any BP station in the area.

So I get gas at the BP station, which presently is @$2.89 a gallon. I apply my points to the $2.89, making it $1.89 at the pump, and I pay for the gas with the 20% discounted gift cards. That means I paid $1.89 minus 20% of $1.89 or $1.51 per gallon........ a price not seen in decades. 

I have been paying this price for over a year.

[SpringIsHereVA]

Good for you @nctarheel !!! Kroger as you probably know gives discounts on their gas when you buy from them. In the past I use to shop there but now don't EXCEPT when my car is at my mechanic on a Monday. Yes, my Weekly Walmart Grocery Day. Kroger is down my hill. Walmart further away. Also I can use City Bus for 84 cents [Senior bus fare] from my mechanic to Kroger. Then my daughter in Florida ubers me up my hill. Bus does NOT go past Kroger but SAVES me $$$ with Uber. I reimburse her much to her displeasure./lol Thanks for stopping by NC. I was hoping our 60 years in the grocery business Papaw @papawofboo would stop by to add his words of "wisdom" too. Oh well, guess he is BUSY getting HIS GRILL ready for July 4th. Hope EVERYONE has an AWESOME one!!! Stay safe & cool.

[nctarheel]

Another way I save money at the grocery store is to pay CLOSE ATTENTION to my receipt. Both grocery stores I presently use have a policy as follows:

    "If their scanner charges more than the advertised price or more than the price on the shelf, they will give you the item for free. If you have multiples of the same overcharged items, they will give you one free and reduce to price of the others to the advertised price or shelf listed price."

You'd be surprised how many times a year the scanners overcharge you. I estimate well into $200+ is refunded to me every year due to this policy.

My best refund, all at one time, was $48 because a standing rib roast which was on sale was charged on my receipt at regular price due to an error back in the meat department.

[SpringIsHereVA]

@nctarheel , I luv this!!! Hmmm, wish my Walmart did this. Since I use ONLY Self Checkout, I can "see" the PRICES as I ring up. But like you, I also check receipt BEFORE leaving store. Speaking of which, prices finally went up on a few of my canned goods. Was waiting on that with all the Tariff Drama.