By Kate Harvey
Content Manager | Pou Whakahaere Ihirangi
A couple of extra dollars gone by tapping your card just so you can get out of the store quicker; a subscription that you never have time to use. They’re the little money-spending bad habits that, on their own, don’t seem like a big deal. But, over a week, these bad money habits can add up to a big chunk missing from your bank account.
Here are some of those little habits I noticed myself getting into this week. Have you caught yourself doing any of them, too?
1. Bought the wrong type of batteries
In a hurry to tick the things off my shopping list, I grabbed a big pack of Eveready batteries that seemed like good value. When I got them home, I had a look at the back of the pack and realised I’d made the mistake I’d warned our readers not to just a few months ago. If I’d taken an extra few seconds, I could have found alkaline batteries, which last longer. Instead, I’d grabbed carbon zinc batteries – a waste of money.
2. Tapped my card
A tap here and a tap there as I go about my week doesn’t feel like a big deal. Then I check my bank account and see each purchase coming in a bit more expensive than expected because of the surcharges. Taking a few more seconds to punch in my pin would leave me with a few extra dollars in my pocket at the end of the week.
3. Didn’t pay a bill on time
This mistake cost a lot more than I was expecting. I missed the due date for my internet bill and now have to pay a late payment fee of $18.40. Time to get organised and set up an automatic payment so I’m not slugged with that again.
4. Bought ink cartridges
Our old printer has us constantly rushing down to our local stationery store to buy more printer ink – and that’s not cheap. I need to bite the bullet and replace our ink cartridge printer with an ink tank one using Consumer’s printer test results. Ink tank printers also create less waste because they don’t need topping up so often.
5. Forgot about an unused subscription
At $10.99 a month, Prime Video is one of the cheaper streaming services, so I’ve kept my subscription thinking I’ll use it one evening. But I can’t remember the last time I watched anything on Prime. I’m going to take my colleague Nick’s advice and do some service hopping instead. That’s when you sign up to a service to watch a particular thing you want to see, then cancel once you’ve watched it and sign up to another.
Here's more on how to save money on streaming services.
6. Didn’t make the most of membership benefits
I just realised this week that I could have been paying less for Spotify with my prepaid phone pack. It’s worth checking out what benefits you have available with services you already pay for. For example, Spark gives customers on eligible broadband plans free Netflix and One NZ has a page of benefits, such as 10% off Warriors merch, for its customers.
7. Left the towel rail on
It’s just one of those things you leave on and don’t think about, isn’t it? But, apparently, the heated towel rail is costing me about $3 a week. That doesn’t seem like a lot until you realise it’s $36 over the 3 months of summer when it’s not really necessary.
Check out our advice on how to save money by making your home more energy efficient.
8. Threw out food
I’d bought a box of not-quite-ripe plums and apricots at a roadside stall. But when I went to chop up some for my son’s lunchbox a couple of days later, I found I’d missed my opportunity, and most were covered in mould. Next time, I’ll be giving them a regular squeeze and popping them in the fridge once they’re ready, just like it says to do in this article about how to keep your fruit and vegetables fresh longer.
Now you’ve read mine – what are some money-wasting habits you’ve noticed and changed recently? Make me feel better by dropping them in the comments!
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