10 things I stopped doing that saved me $100 a month

Saving money isn’t always about adding more to your plate—it’s often about cutting out what drains your wallet little by little. When you stop certain habits, the difference shows up fast in your budget.

Some of these changes might feel small, but together they easily add up to over $100 a month. If you’ve been wondering where your money is disappearing, it’s probably hiding in these everyday choices.

Buying coffee on the go

Grabbing coffee a few times a week doesn’t feel like much until you add it up. Even at $3 to $5 a cup, that’s $60 to $100 a month without realizing it.

Making coffee at home saves a surprising amount, and you can still upgrade it with flavored creamers or syrups if you miss the “coffee shop” feel. Once it’s part of your routine, you won’t miss the line or the price tag.

Paying for unused subscriptions

Streaming services, apps, and memberships often slip under the radar. A few dollars here and there doesn’t seem bad, but when you’re paying for things you rarely use, it’s wasted money.

Taking the time to cancel the ones you don’t need puts that money straight back into your budget. You can always sign up again later if you actually miss them.

Grocery shopping without a list

Walking into the store without a plan usually means walking out with extras you didn’t need. Those impulse buys add up fast, especially if you’re shopping more than once a week.

When you start sticking to a list, you cut out the random extras. It also keeps you from wasting food, which is like throwing away money you already spent.

Eating out multiple times a week

Takeout might feel convenient, but it’s one of the biggest money drains in most households. Even cutting back one or two meals a week can save $50 or more a month.

Cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated—simple meals like pasta, tacos, or sheet pan dinners are cheaper and often quicker than waiting for delivery.

Paying late fees

Late fees on bills, credit cards, or even library books are one of the most frustrating ways to lose money. They don’t give you anything in return, and they’re completely avoidable.

Setting reminders or using autopay for fixed bills keeps you from wasting cash this way. Even $25 here and there adds up to hundreds over a year.

Driving for every little errand

Quick trips in the car may not feel expensive, but gas adds up quickly. Stopping by the store three or four times a week can mean spending way more on fuel than necessary.

Batching errands into one trip saves both time and money. It also helps you plan better, so you’re not tempted to “grab one thing” and walk out with five.

Leaving lights and electronics on

Forgetting to turn things off around the house might only add a few dollars to your electric bill each month, but combined with other habits, it’s noticeable.

Getting in the routine of shutting off lights, unplugging unused chargers, and turning down the thermostat when you’re out makes a real difference over time.

Buying bottled water

It might seem cheap at $1 or $2 a bottle, but bottled water is one of the fastest ways to overspend without realizing it. A case here and there adds up to $20 or more each month.

Switching to a good reusable water bottle and using filtered tap water saves money while also cutting down on plastic waste.

Ignoring price comparisons

Paying whatever price is in front of you might feel quicker, but it often means overspending. Even small differences in groceries, household goods, or gas prices add up month after month.

Taking a few minutes to compare sales or check prices online before shopping can easily save you $20 to $30 each trip.

Buying new before using what you have

It’s tempting to restock items as soon as you run low, but most of the time you already have extras in a drawer or pantry. Doubling up when you don’t need to is like tying up money in clutter.

Making it a habit to check what you already own before buying more keeps your budget tighter. It also helps you use things fully, which saves you from unnecessary spending.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.