Have you ever noticed how much money you spend on things that you use almost every single day? It might be your morning coffee, cleaning products, bottled water, paper towels, or even the apps and subscriptions you pay for every month.
Individually, these purchases might not seem expensive. But when you add them up over a month or a year, they can take a surprisingly big chunk out of your budget.
The good news is that you don’t always need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the same convenience. Many everyday items have either free or cheaper alternatives that work exactly like the original item. In some cases, the cheaper item might even be better than the expensive one.
So, if you’re looking for simple ways to cut your everyday expenses without making your life unnecessarily difficult, here are 14 expensive everyday items you can replace with cheaper or free alternatives.
1. Bottled Water → Reusable Water Bottle and Filtered Tap Water
Buying bottled water on a regular basis is one of the small expenses. It will slowly and quietly accumulate to a huge fund. One bottle doesn’t cost much. However, when you buy several bottles every week, you pay for it again and again for something that can be easily obtained at home.
A reusable water bottle is a more affordable option. Just fill it up with drinking water at home and take it with you wherever you go.
In case your tap water is not suitable for drinking, you can filter or purify it with an appropriate water filter or purifier. It might be more expensive initially, but it will save you some money in the long run instead of buying bottled water all the time.
In case you do not like carrying a water bottle due to its heaviness or large size, there are foldable water bottles available on the market as well. These water bottles are usually made of silicone and can be easily folded or collapsed when they are empty.
You can simply fill them with water when needed and fold them back down after drinking. They’re a particularly convenient option for people who travel, walk, shop, or spend a lot of time outside and don’t want to carry a bulky water bottle everywhere.
Why it is better to change to it:
- You do not have to buy bottled water daily.
- Reusable bottles are convenient for going to work, shopping, studying, and traveling.
- Foldable bottles occupy little space when they are empty.
- You create less waste from plastic bottles.
- You always can replenish your bottle whenever you want.
One drawback: You should regularly wash your reusable bottle. You should also make sure that the water source is safe. Folding bottles require regular cleaning and drying, especially the foldable parts of bottles. The filters should also be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Paper Towels → Reusable Cleaning Cloths
Paper towels are great for cleaning the kitchen countertop, wiping up spills, drying hands, and for other minor household chores. But since they are disposable, you need to keep buying them.
Instead, you can replace them with reusable microfiber cloths or old cotton T-shirts and towels. You can simply cut into smaller pieces.
These cloths will be useful for cleaning kitchen surfaces, wiping furniture, drying dishes, and other household chores. All you need to do after using them is to wash them and reuse them.
Advantages of changing:
- You don’t have to buy paper towels often.
- Reusable cloths will serve you for months if you take proper care of them.
- Cloths are useful for many different cleaning jobs.
- You can make cleaning rags from your old cotton clothes for free.
Disadvantage: You’ll have more clothes to wash. Plus, you need to use different cloths for cleaning kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, and very dirty areas in order to keep proper hygiene. Sometimes, paper towels are good for some unpleasant jobs.
3. Expensive Coffee Shop Drinks → Homemade Coffee
Many of you might have the habit of grabbing coffee from a coffee shop every morning. This is one expense worth looking at.
Having coffee on a daily basis may increase your expense by a huge amount. This can be more if you like cold lattes, cappuccinos, and flavored coffees.
Making coffee at home is far less expensive. You do not have to buy a high-end espresso machine to prepare coffee. It is enough to have a coffee maker, a French press, or an instant coffee machine to prepare the drink.
Homemade coffee allows for preparing iced coffee, cold coffee, or flavored coffee using coffee beans, sugar, and milk, along with flavorings such as vanilla and cocoa powders.
Benefits:
- You can prepare coffee at any time.
- You control how much sugar, milk, or flavoring you add.
- You do not have to go to a coffee store.
- You can make many servings from home for the price of just a few cups from the store.
Disadvantage: Homemade coffee may not taste quite the same as your favorite coffee shop coffee.
Making homemade coffee doesn’t mean you have to stop visiting your favorite coffee shop. Using the home coffee-making method most of the time will make a difference.
4. Disposable Batteries → Rechargeable Batteries
If you use battery-powered gadgets, then you may find them a pointless expense.
From things like mice and toys to everyday gadgets, many devices need new batteries regularly.
Instead of buying single-use AA/AAA batteries repeatedly, you might want to consider batteries that can be reused.
Rechargeable batteries are more expensive than regular batteries. However, you can use them many times with the right charger.
Pros:
- No need to buy replacement batteries;
- They can be reused infinitely;
- They cut down on battery waste;
- You can have batteries ready to use.
One disadvantage of rechargeable batteries is that you will need to get a charger. You might also have to wait for the batteries to recharge, which can take time. Additionally, batteries that are rechargeable may not always work for every gadget. They may not work with devices that have a low power consumption.
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5. Expensive Cleaning Products → Using Homemade Cleaners
You can find products for every single thing to clean, from kitchens to bathrooms to windows to floors.
Unfortunately, purchasing the separate products for all of your different cleaning tasks can be costly.
There are many cleaning tasks you can do with cheaper common household cleaning supplies.
For instance:
- Cleaning Windows: You can decide whether to use a store-bought window cleaner or just a mixture of dish soap and water.
- Cleaning Surfaces: You can simply use diluted dish soap and water to clean surfaces.
- Removing Smells: Put some baking soda in the areas that smell bad; the baking soda will absorb the smell.
- Removing Mineral Deposits: Adding diluted white vinegar to your compatible surfaces is an option.
Advantages: Cleaning supplies cost less. The storage space needed is minimized. Similarly, the same ingredients can be used for several purposes.
Disadvantages: Homemade cleaning solutions are not suitable for certain surfaces and certain cleaning problems. Vinegar damages natural stone surfaces, and mixing vinegar with bleach can be dangerous.
6. Disposable Razors → Safety Razor to Reuse
If you shave frequently, then using disposable razors as well as replacement heads will surely increase your expenditures. The reusable safety razors, however, prove to be a much cheaper solution for shaving in a long run. You can keep your safety razor handle for a lifetime. Then, you can replace only the tiny metal razor blade when required.
The price of the razor blades is quite low. You can use only one blade for several shaves depending on your hair type and using technique.
Here are the benefits of this type of blade:
- The price of a blade is certainly less than that of a razor head.
- You can use one handle for a long period of time.
- It produces less plastic waste.
- No need to replace the entire razor.
Nevertheless, there are some downsides to the razors. You have to get used to using them properly in order not to get hurt.
7. Paid Streaming Services → Free Legal Streaming Platforms
Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming platforms have simplified our access to entertainment. Nevertheless, subscribing to multiple streaming services at once can add up your expenses.
The good news is that you can experience movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more by using one paid subscription only.
Initially, you may want to consider using the following free streaming options:
- Tubi: A free movie and TV show streaming service that works with ads in its supported countries.
- Pluto TV: A free live streaming service that offers free live and on-demand content supported by advertisements in specific countries.
- Plex: A free streaming service that allows you to watch ad-supported movies and TV shows in addition to managing your own media.
- YouTube: A free streaming service that provides movies, documentaries, and educational videos.
- You can also find free streaming services supplied by local TV networks.
Advantages:
- You can enjoy entertainment without any costs.
- You can skip subscribing to multiple services to watch movies and TV shows of your interest.
- Some platforms allow you to watch live channels.
Disadvantages: There are many advertisements in free streaming services. Besides, their libraries may lack the latest movies.
8. Paid Note-Taking Apps → Free Note-Taking Apps
Many people pay for note-taking applications. These applications do help them organize their daily tasks, shopping lists, work notes, studying stuff, and personal plans.
But do you really have to pay for a note-taking app?
For most everyday uses, you will do just fine with free services.
There are many useful services that include
- Google Keep—good for fast note-taking, reminders, checklists, and shopping lists.
- Microsoft OneNote offers such things as notebooks, sections, pages, and more.
- Apple Notes—a handy application for Apple device owners.
- Notion – there is a free version. This can help you with personal notes, planning, and information organization.
Advantages: You can organize your daily routine without paying for yet another service subscription. Some of the free services offer synchronization of notes on different devices.
Disadvantage: Sometimes some additional features, storage space, or collaboration features require you to buy a paid version. If you like a free service, you don’t really need to switch to a paid one.
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9. Expensive Gym Memberships → Home Workouts
Gym subscriptions are costly. This is costly when you make payments each month but don’t go frequently.
Your aim may be to lead an active lifestyle, increase strength or simply stay fit. If so, many things can be done in the comfort of one’s home. You can do it without having to pay extra to visit the gym frequently.
There are lots of exercises you can do without expensive equipment. It can be squats, pushups, lunges, planks, or jumping jacks.
You can simply watch workout videos on YouTube or search for workouts for beginners online.
If you would like to have some equipment for training, buy affordable resistance bands or a set of adjustable dumbbells.
Advantages:
- No need to pay subscription fee every month.
- Training can be done at any convenient time.
- It saves traveling time.
- Basic exercises do not require much space for workouts.
Disadvantage: One has to have self-control to perform home workouts. Equipment that can be found at the gym as well as coaching services from professionals can be different experience.
So, for someone who loves going to the gym and visits it often, it will be sensible to keep a membership.
10. Disposable Food Storage Bags → Reusable Food Containers
Sandwich bags, ziplock bags, and plastic food bags can be alot helpful. It can be used for storing leftovers, packing snacks, and keeping food organized.
However, they are made for single use, you have to keep buying them.
Reusable food containers are a way more cost-effective solution for daily food storage.
You can use glass or food-grade plastic containers to store leftovers, cut vegetables, fruits, snacks, and packed lunches.
If you have containers that will do the job at home, you don’t even have to buy any extra items.
Advantages:
- You can use the same containers for many years.
- They are good for storing various kinds of food.
- You can bring them to work, school, or on vacation.
- You reduce your usage of disposable plastic bags.
Disadvantage: Containers occupy more space. You will also have to wash them after using. Glass containers are heavier. It can be easily broken if dropped.
Nevertheless, for everyday use at home, just a few reusable containers can replace many disposable bags.
11. Expensive Air Fresheners → Natural Ventilation and Simple Odour Elimination
Products such as room sprays, plug-ins, scented candles, and automatic fragrance dispersal systems may become repeated expense in households.
However, if your priority is to have a house with fresh smell, you do not necessarily have to buy these products.
Firstly, detect and eliminate the origin of the odours. Regularly empty waste bins, descale drains, clean fabrics and let air flow through them, provided that air outside is fresh.
Alternatively, one can use baking soda, which will aid in the absorption of odours from the right places, e.g., fridges. Remember to replace it on time.
Advantages:
- You save money on fragrance products.
- You take care of bad odours rather than conceal them.
- No more replacements of fragrance cartridges.
- It doesn’t cost anything to open the windows if weather permits.
Disadvantage:
Fresh air and baking soda will not produce the smell of commercial air fresheners. Neither will they deal with causes like mould, dampness or plumbing problems.
For those who prefer aromatic atmosphere, fragrance products can be used from time to time.
12. Expensive Greeting Cards → Handmade or Free Digital Cards
Buying greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other events may seem as a minor expense. But, if you buy such cards on a regular basis, costs may accumulate.
An option to save you some money is to make your own greeting cards.
For this you can use scrap paper, colored pencils, magazines, stickers, and other craft supplies.
In case you want to make digital cards, you can use free design software such as Canva. This will help you to make birthday cards, invitations, thank-you cards, and other holiday cards with free templates and design elements.
Pros:
- You will be able to make greeting cards for different events.
- Digital cards can be sent immediately.
- The cards made by hand will be perceived as more personal rather than purchased.
- You can use materials from your craft collection again.
Cons:
- It takes time to make handmade cards.
- Digital cards may not be as appreciated by people who like physical gifts.
Nevertheless, you can make savings, and at the same time, make your greetings more personal.
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13. Expensive Laundry Detergent → Store or Generic Detergent
It’s common for families to buy laundry detergents quite frequently. And if you insist on buying only high-end detergents, then there’s a chance you’re paying too much for it.
There’s a simple way out, though. Just switch to store or generic laundry detergent.
Alternatively, you can try comparing concentrated laundry detergents, as they often need a smaller amount per wash.
In any case, what matters is to focus on the comparison of cost per wash and not simply select the lowest-priced detergent package or pouch.
For instance, the package with a higher price may contain more detergent and thus cost you less per wash.
Advantages:
This will allow you to save on your regular household expenses.
You’ll be able to find many inexpensive detergents that clean ordinary clothes properly.
Some concentrated detergents may take up less storage space.
You’ll not have to make sacrifices in terms of convenience.
But there is one disadvantage of such detergents. They won’t necessarily be equally efficient at cleaning.
Test out a small package first before ordering a big amount. In addition, make sure to use the recommended amount of detergent.
14. Expensive Personal Planners → Free Printable or Digital Planners
If you enjoy organizing your daily tasks, monitoring your finances, meal planning, or setting yearly goals, you probably purchase planner frequently.
There are other methods to organize yourself, aside from relying on a costly planner.
With no costs involved, you can build your unique planner with a variety of web applications such as Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Canva.
To illustrate, you can make:
- A monthly budget planner
- A daily to-do list planner
- A weekly meal planner
- A monthly bill payments planner
- A savings goal planner
- A cleaning schedule planner
Additionally, there are more available options online. They are in the form of free downloadable planner templates that you can print. You can select those pages that you require, and compile them in an ordinary binder.
Benefits:
- You can modify your planner based on your personal needs.
- You won’t need to buy a new planner each year.
- Digital planners are straightforward to change and use multiple times.
- You can print only those pages you require.
Final Thoughts
Saving money may not always require you to make sacrifices in your daily routine. Sometimes it simply means choosing better options as compared to what you are already spending your money on.
It’s not necessary to change all 14 items at once. Start with some of the regular expenses you incur every month. It can be bottled water, coffee, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and subscriptions to streaming services.
If you change only a few of these items, you will be able to make a significant change in your budget.
Remember, getting the cheapest of all isn’t always the right decision. Don’t forget to analyse the quality. Look for convenience, durability, and the frequency of use before switching.
