15 Expenses You Can Cut Without Really Missing Them
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As inflation persists, you might be looking at more ways to cut expenses. But you may not be willing to sacrifice your lifestyle or make major changes.
If cash is really tight, you can take extreme measures like downsizing your apartment, selling your car and taking public transportation, or cutting your food budget down to “rice and beans,” as personal finance expert Dave Ramsey likes to say.
But most people don’t need to take such extreme measures to cut spending. You can cut in areas you barely feel. You may even enhance your life by cutting them out of your budget.
Penalties for Late Payments
Missing a credit card payment or paying a utility bill late can lead to late fees and penalties. Plus, paying late can wreck your credit score, which can lead to higher interest rates on loans and credit cards in the future.
The average credit card late fee is $32 in 2026, according to research from Yahoo! Finance. Eliminate those late fees by setting your bills on auto pay. Just make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the payment or that your cash is in a bank that doesn’t enforce overdraft charges.
Credit Card Interest
The average credit card interest rate for a new card was 23.75% as of April 2026, the latest month with data available, according to LendingTree.com.
If you’re paying this much or even more, consider opening a new card with a 0% introductory APR and transferring your high-interest balances. Then make a plan to pay off that card with the money you’re saving in other areas by following the suggestions on our list.
You definitely won’t miss paying credit card interest as part of your monthly expenses!
More Than One Video Streaming Service
At the beginning of this decade, finance experts advised “cutting the cord” on cable to save money. That’s still good advice if you pay for cable service every month.
But a lot of people cut cable and then subscribe to three or more streaming services to watch their favorite content. The average US household subscribes to 4.4 streaming services, totaling $46 on average. Adwave streaming service research
If you cut back to one service, watch the shows you like, and then cancel and switch to another service, you could save $30 per month or more.
Software and App Subscriptions
When you add software and apps to subscription costs, the average American spends a total of $219 per month, according to data from the ReSubs app. But most people think they only spend $86.
Take a look at your software and apps and cut everything. Then slowly add back the ones you really miss. Also consider free versions of things like budgeting software or music platforms.
Wholesale Club Memberships
Shopping at BJ’s, Costco and Sam’s Club may save you money if you have a big family and can shop carefully. But many people enter Costco with plans to buy toilet paper, milk, and a rotisserie chicken and come out with a cart full of $300 in items they don’t need.
Evaluate your spending on groceries and household items and decide if your warehouse club membership is really saving you money. If it is, you can probably get by with just one, not all three.
New Books
Some people consider books a necessary indulgence. But if you’re trying to cut costs, use the local library, instead.
You may also find Kindle versions of books cheaper than their paper counterparts on Amazon, which also means less clutter in your home.
If you’re the type of person who can’t live without their books, consider secondhand book stores or limit your purchase to one per month.
Music
Similarly, if you’re the type to splurge on CDs or vinyl records, consider limiting your purchases and shopping yard sales for affordable finds.
Checked Bag Fees When You Travel
More airlines, including budget airlines, are now charging hefty fees of $45+ for checked bags. Many airlines rewards credit cards and frequent flyer clubs offer free checked bags once you reach a certain tier. Book strategically and look into the perks and benefits to take advantage before your trip.
If you have to pay for a checked bag, use a baggage scale at home to make sure your bag isn’t overweight, which involves added fees. Pay for the checked bag online before your flight instead of at the airport to save money. And compare flights including fees; often, the cheapest economy fare also has the highest checked bag fees, so you might pay more in the end if you need to check a bag.
Auto Club / Roadside Assistance Membership
Membership to AAA, Better World Club or other roadside assistance programs offer some discounts and travel perks. But major travel credit cards typically offer roadside assistance and other benefits without the monthly fee.
Compare your options to see if you can find the same benefits of a AAA membership through a travel credit card that will also deliver points on purchases.
Also, check your car insurance bill. Companies like Travelers, State Farm and AllState offer roadside assistance with the cost tacked onto your insurance bill. This can be an affordable option, but make sure you’re not paying for a service you don’t want or need.
Premium Gasoline
With fuel at the pump over $4.55 per gallon heading into Memorial Day weekend, and exceeding $6 in some parts of the country, drivers are feeling the pinch. But if you’re putting premium gasoline into your car, you could be spending more than you have to.
The AAA website said, “[P]remium gas doesn’t provide any extra power, fuel economy or acceleration over regular gas.”
Of course, if your car’s owner’s manual says that premium gasoline is “required” or even “recommended,” it’s worth the extra cost to prolong your engine life.
Bottled Water
While it’s not surprising that fuel prices at the pump rise when the price of oil goes up, there’s a surprising connection between the price of oil and the price of bottled water.
Higher energy costs lead to higher plastic production costs, and plastic is a key component in bottled water. A 20-ounce bottle of water costs an average of $1.50 in the US right now, according to a Newsweek report.
That price is poised to rise even higher as oil prices continue rising. You can save money by investing in a water filter for your home and a reusable water bottle.
Reduce Your Electric Bills with the Right Lighting
The US Department of Energy website says you can save roughly $225 in electric costs per year by switching to LED bulbs, if you haven’t already. These bulbs have dropped dramatically in price in the past decade and they last longer than traditional bulbs, too.
For even more savings, put your lights on timers or motion sensors or connect them to your Alexa or Google Home smart device to make it easy to turn them off when not in use.
Consider solar-powered lighting for outside paths for free energy and enhanced safety in your yard.
Change your Dishwasher Setting
If you have a newer dishwasher, you might think setting it to “quick-wash” will not only save time, but water and energy. That’s not true, according to HouseOutlook.com.
Quick wash cycles use even more water and electricity than your normal cycle to get dishes clean in roughly half the time. Unless you need your dishes washed quickly in time for dinner or guests, stick to the regular cycle as often as possible.
Sell the Items in Your Storage Unit
The average price of a storage unit in the US is $85.30, according to SpareFoot.com. You might need a storage unit temporarily because you’re in the midst of a move. But if you’re paying $85 per month for years to hold onto items you rarely access, it’s time to cut the proverbial cord on your storage unit.
Instead, have a garage sale and let those items you don’t need put cash in your pocket instead of draining your wallet.
Appetizers at Restaurants
The cost of dining out continues to rise with inflation, jumping 4.1% in 2025 according to Consumer Price Index data, with the average mid-range meal for two costing between $50 and $100.
Dining out is a luxury you may not want to give up entirely. But you can save on every meal by skipping appetizers and drinking water with lemon instead of a pricey soft drink or an alcoholic beverage. You’ll still enjoy the social benefits and atmosphere of dining out, but with a lower bill.
Other Articles of Interest
Make sure to check out other great articles about money management and ways to save, including:
20 Ways To Save Money As Part Of Your Daily Routine
How to Create and Stick To A Budget When Money Is Tight
Sneaky Pricing Tricks That Companies Use On You
Sources
https://wallethub.com/edu/ci/best-roadside-assistance/10234
https://www.acg.aaa.com/connect/blogs/4c/auto/premium-vs-regular-gas4
https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/average-credit-card-interest-rate-in-america/
https://resubs.app/resources/subscription-spending-statistics
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/lighting-choices-save-you-money
https://www.newsweek.com/bottled-water-prices-set-to-soar-11755599
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf
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