Young blonde holding a piggy bank looking upset

If you’d take the time to track your spending for a month, what would you find? Unless you’re super intentional and live very frugally, I’d bet the data would show you’re overspending in some areas of your finances. Let’s talk about how to stop wasting money and spend less.

How Much Do You Spend?

Man coming off escalator looking at his grocery receipt with a shocked look on his face
Image Credit: PERO studio via Shutterstock.

Oftentimes we don’t even realize how much money we waste on a weekly basis, and I probably don’t have to tell you how much a small amount of overspending can add up to over time.

💸 Take Back Control of Your Finances in 2025 💸
Get Instant Access to our free mini course
5 DAYS TO A BETTER BUDGET

But there are small habits you can adopt that will help you spend less and waste less money on unnecessary expenses.

How To Stop Wasting Money

Family teaching child how to save money
Image Credit: RyanKing999 via Canva Pro.

A big part of living frugally is spending less money on the things that don’t matter as much or bring value to your life to free up the funds to spend on the things that are most important to you.

Let’s talk about seven habits that will help you stop wasting money so you can use that money for the things that matter most.

1. Order Groceries Online

Person ordering their groceries on a phone
Image Credit: RSplaneta via Shutterstock.

There are so many money-saving advantages to ordering your groceries online, such as being able to see the running total in your virtual cart while you’re placing your order.

It lets you see immediately if you’re going over budget and allows you to quickly and easily remove items to get yourself back on track.

2. Group Orders Together

Laptop screen showing Amazon Prime Day deals
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Online retailers – and Amazon, more specifically – want us to continually place orders for items as often as possible. These impulse purchases can easily cause you to overspend.

Get into the habit of keeping a list of what you’d like to order and set a specific schedule (monthly, bi-monthly, weekly, etc.) when you’ll place one order and include everything you need rather than multiple orders each time something pops in your head.

The Impact on Spending

Woman shopping online for clothing
Image Credit: Gorodenkoff via Shutterstock.

This will impact your overspending in a few different ways:

  • You’ll be forced to get creative and find things you already own to accomplish the job of the item you want to purchase.
  • When you place your order, you may decide you no longer need (or even want) some items on your list.
  • Grouping multiple items together often qualifies you for free shipping or tiered coupons.

3. Abandon Your Cart

Person closing their laptop
Image Credit: Farknot Architect via Shutterstock.

Another great habit to get into when shopping online is to add the items to your cart that you intend to purchase, then walk away. Yep, just walk away…this will accomplish two things.

First, often the retailer will send you an abandoned cart email notifying you that you forgot to complete your order to remind you to return to their website to finalize your purchase. Often, they will even include a coupon or other discount to entice you to complete your order.

You May Not Even Want it

Two women running errand carrying a bunch of bags
Image Credit: Page Light Studios via Shutterstock.

Second, you may find you no longer even care to purchase the item(s). See, much of our spending is driven by outside forces.

You may have been experiencing some type of emotion or other feelings i.e. sadness, anxiety, or even hunger, that had you wanting to spend money. Once the feeling passes, you may realize you have no need for the item or don’t even want it.

4. Pay Yourself First

Woman holding a bunch of cash smiling in front of her laptop
Image Credit: ViDI Studio via Shutterstock.

This is a big one…get in the habit of saving money first and spending only what’s left. This will ensure you’re wasting less money because you essentially have less to waste.

Paying yourself first simply means to “pay yourself” by saving money; this way, the money will surely be saved instead of sitting around in your regular bank account and ultimately getting spent.

5. Spend With Cash

Woman handing cash to a cashier in a coffee shop
Image Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock.

Yes, it can be much less convenient to go to the bank each time you’re paid and withdraw the cash you need to live on for the week, but it’s hands-down one of the best ways to stop wasting money.

Whether you prefer to use your debit card or you start with the cash envelope system, when you spend with cash, it forces you to be more intentional with your purchases and more aware of your finances as a whole.

It’s Just Too Easy

Young woman sitting on a bed christmas shopping on her laptop
Image Credit: GalinaZhigalova via Deposit Photos.

It can be so dang easy to swipe that credit card day in and day out with no worry about how much money you actually have to spend because you can swipe now and pay later, regardless of your financial situation.

It allows you to make purchases you really can’t afford and encourages overspending.

6. Live on a Budget

Mature couple working on their finances together
Image Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock.

Learning to love life on a budget is one of the best ways to stop wasting money. Creating a budget each month is simply creating a plan for your money for the month.

Living on a budget forces you to pay attention to what’s coming in and going out. It forces you to come face-to-face with your spending and prioritize the spending that matters most.

Permission To Spend

Woman working on her finances
Image Credit: Cast Of Thousands via Shutterstock.

A budget doesn’t mean restricting all spending and living like an extreme cheapskate.

Instead, budgeting is actually giving yourself permission to spend on whatever you plan to spend on.

7. Avoid Your Triggers

Woman shopping for makeup in a drugstore
Image Credit: BearFotos via Shutterstock.

Are you aware of your spending triggers? Do you get an overwhelming urge to shop whenever you see a Target commercial? Do you buy an insane amount of items at the dollar store because you’re a sucker for a good deal, and they’re all only $1, well, $1.25?

These are good clues that Target and Dollar Tree may be spending triggers for you. Get honest with yourself.

Find the Emotional Trigger

Older man looking worried about finances
Image Credit: Burlingham via Shutterstock.

Remember, spending is driven by emotions. When you spend money, what is the emotional trigger behind it? Do you notice that whenever you have a bad day at work, you stop by the shoe store on the way home?

Do you head to the mall each time you get in a fight with your boyfriend? These are your spending triggers, dig deep and identify them – then avoid them at all costs!

The Best Gas Apps To Save Money at the Pump

Woman filling up and saving money on gas
Image Credit: Pixelshot via Canva Pro.

With gas prices hitting record levels this year, it’s no surprise that consumers are looking for ways to cut costs. That’s where gas apps come in. These apps help you find the cheapest gas and offer rewards too. The Best Gas Apps To Save Money at the Pump

How To Save Money Fast – 26 Easy Tips

Woman saving money fast
Image Credit: Ridofranz via Deposit Photos.

We all know it’s important to save money. But how do you do that when inflation is up, mortgage rates have increased, and rents are rising? Oh, and don’t forget – extra spending is coming with the holidays around the corner. Yet even in tough times, there are strategies to help build savings fast. How To Save Money Fast – 26 Easy Tips

14 Actionable Tips To Save Money on Your Electric Bill

Man holding a lightbulb and saving coins in a piggy bank
Image Credit: LookerStudio via Shutterstock.

If you want to cut down your electric bill, there are plenty of ways to save money. These tips can help you learn how to save money on electric bills. That means more money in your pockets – and less financial stress. 14 Actionable Tips To Save Money on Your Electric Bill

6 Frugal Hacks To Save Money and Counter Inflation in 2023

Woman's hands holding cash flipping through it
Image Credit: NATNN via Shutterstock.

While inflation seems to be slowing down, anyone who has been to the grocery store in the past month knows prices are still outrageous. But, it is possible to counter inflation in 2023 with these frugal hacks that will save money and offset elevated prices. 6 Frugal Hacks To Save Money and Counter Inflation in 2023