By the Numbers
Feeling a little nickel-and-dimed lately? Follow these cost-cutting tips, and you’ll find yourself keeping more and pungling less.
$480 | ANNUAL AMOUNT WASTED ON UNUSED GYM MEMBERSHIPS |
Tip: Sweat outside the box.
Sure, it may have a steam room, but if you’re not maximizing your gym memberships (going at least biweekly), then you’re losing muscle and money. Alternatives: dust off your bike, invest in home exercise equipment, or visit a community recreation center. Rec centers often give you the most bang for your buck if you go once a week or less.
Sources: costhelper.com, bankrate.com
$1,750 | WHAT YOU’D DISH OUT YEARLY FOR BUSINESS LUNCHES (250 LUNCHES AT $7 EACH) |
Tip: Bring on the brown bag.
Utilizing leftovers and making sandwiches may require foresight, but your wallet and your waistline will be the happier for it. Lunches from home are usually not only healthier, but eating at the office also saves gas, money, and time. But remember to be considerate—no one wants to smell your leftovers or clean up after you.
142.8% | MARKUP ON A BAG OF FRUIT SNACKS AT A GAS STATION VS. BUYING THEM IN BULK |
Tip: Don’t pay for the convenience.
On Marriott School professor Scott Marsh’s web site, he highlights the large markups at gas stations and in vending machines. It may not hurt to shell out an extra 40¢ for a candy bar, but think about how much we grumble when gas prices rise by a few pennies. Stick to buying gas at gas stations and hit a grocery or a warehouse store for road trip treats.
Source: scottmarsh.com
80% | THE PORTION OF CELL PHONE USERS WHO PAY TOO MUCH |
Tip: Analyze the bill to ensure your talk is cheap.
Pull out your cell phone bills for the past few months and start evaluating. Do you really need unlimited text messages? If you’d like a little help analyzing, visit myvalidas.com. In just a few minutes the site will assess your cell bill and suggest where you can trim.
Source: time.com
10 | MULTIPLY THIS NUMBER BY YOUR CAR’S INSURANCE PREMIUM |
Tip: Drop collision and comprehensive coverage if the total of your premium times ten is less than the car’s value.
The cheapest thing about a car is buying it, right? To help ease the cost of trusty transportation, shop around for best insurance prices and don’t forget to reevaluate. If you do end up dropping collision and comprehensive, keep an eye out for trees and shrubs: they’re the most-hit fixed objects.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
$36.80 | AVERAGE COST OF FOUR MOVIE TICKETS AND A TUB OF POPCORN |
Tip: Host movie night at home.
With movies now appearing in stores about four months after they debut on the big screen, you won’t be too far out of the blockbuster loop if you wait. Tired of the same flicks? Try your local library for some new on-screen fare (you may be surprised how up-to-date and varied its collection is). Also try Redbox or swap DVDs with a neighbor.
Source: National Association of Theatre Owners
