The average consumer overspends by hundreds of dollars a year. It’s easy to do. This is the age of convenience, after all. A click or tap is all it takes to purchase media subscriptions or buy from millions of companies scattered across the digital landscape. But life is more expensive these days and wages aren’t catching up, so it’s time to declutter. Check out this guide to financial decluttering, including how to use a cash back app and eliminate unnecessary expenses.
Use Apps to Keep Everything in Order
They say that there’s an app for everything these days. And they are right. So, reach for your device, click on the app store, and get things in order with money management apps. Check out the following app categories:
- Cash back apps: A cash back app gives you cash back rewards when you shop for groceries, gas, and other essentials. Use these apps to get more from the things you buy every day and collect coupons. You’re making those purchases anyway, so you might as well get something from them.
- Budget trackers: Track all of your incomings and outgoings. Input your earnings, bills, and additional expenses to discover how much you’re spending and how much you have left over. It helps to get some clarity and understanding regarding just how much you’re spending. It might be more than you think. If so, it’s time to start trimming the fat.
- Savings apps: Some apps round up every purchase that you make, moving the extra cash into a savings account. Others just make it easier for you to squirrel away funds for a rainy day. Either way, savings apps are essential for helping you to build a nest egg.
- Payment systems: Do you use your debit/credit card on vacation? If so, you could be losing a small fortune in foreign transaction fees. It’s a convenient way to shop in another country, but it’s also expensive and there are cheaper alternatives, including digital payment apps and apps that give you virtual cards with low transaction fees.
Get Rid of the Things You Don’t Use
How many times have you questioned the validity of a media subscription, only to decide that you might need it at some point? It’s useless. It’s a waste. But you keep it just in case.
Why cancel that Apple TV subscription when season 2 of Severance could be released at any moment? Why cancel your gym subscription when you might start working out next month?
Be ruthless. Kick those worthless subscriptions to the curb and get more cash to clear debt and buy the things you actually need.
Look at the Bigger Picture
A media subscription might only cost a few bucks a month. It’s easy to cling to if you’re not losing too much money. But $5 a month is $60 a year. Is that single show worth $60? What about the 1 day you spend at the gym every month, is that worth the $50 monthly membership fee? That’s $600 a year for 12 sessions—you could buy your own dumbbell set for that amount!]
Put things into perspective and you’ll realize just how much you’re wasting.
Organize Your Debt
Millions of Americans are in debt. It’s crippling. It’s debilitating. It will suck your finances dry and can leave you feeling like there is no escape. So, if you want to declutter your finances, focus on your debt:
- Review your current setup. Check if there are any ways to consolidate.
- Always prioritize your debt repayments.
- Clear high-interest debt first.
- Put your savings (from canceled subscriptions and membership fees) toward your debts.
- Use a balance transfer credit card to clear credit card debt.
- Refrain from acquiring new debt where possible.
Summary: Spend Less, Waste Less
American consumers are spending an increasing amount of money every year, and research suggests that a lot of that money is wasted. The average household wastes $1,500 on uneaten food alone, and younger generations are also overspending as they seek to emulate what they see on social media.
It all adds up to an expensive and chaotic period for millions of families. So, if you’re drowning in expenses, use money management apps, lose what you don’t use, put things into perspective, and get organized. Declutter and save!
