12 Surprising Household Items You're Overpaying For (And Their Cheaper Alternatives)
The cost of living is remarkably high, making it harder to save money. Sometimes, you have to cut some corners to stretch your dollar. But do you have to budget tightly? Not necessarily.
Some household items you buy are probably overpriced. We may take these items for granted as must-haves to keep our house going. I’ve found it’s always a good idea to ask whether I can find something of similar quality for less money. The answer is often yes.
I’ve built 12 surprising household items you’re probably overpaying for and their cheaper alternatives. To curate this list, I’ve chosen items I’ve stopped buying and took inspiration from Forbes.
1. Paper Towels
I stopped buying paper towels about a year ago and haven’t looked back. Paper towel purchases add up. At first, it’s just $10, but when you’re tight, $10 is a lot! Instead of constantly buying paper towels, I recommend using rags. They are reusable and easy to clean.
2. Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies overwhelm me. There are so many options, and many of them are basically the same thing. I have started cleaning with just a few basic products, like vinegar, baking soda, hot water, lemon, and dish soap. You’d be surprised just how many ways you can use baking soda. I use it to clean carpets, kitchen grease, and the shower.
3. Brand Name Groceries
Brand-name groceries are seldom better. Some of my favorite chips, cookies, and meat brands are generic. Brand-name groceries are expensive! A bag of Doritos or Cheetos can cost as much as $6. The generic store brand is sometimes more than half as inexpensive. There are also very few differences between brand names and generic brands. Sometimes, the products are even made by the same manufacturer.
4. New Cars
New vehicle prices are ridiculous. According to Statista, the average selling price of a new car in 2023 was about $47,000. This is about $17,700 more than the average price of a used car. Instead of buying a new car, consider the cheap alternative: a used vehicle. Used vehicles are less expensive but cheaper to fix than new vehicles.
5. Journals
I have an embarrassing amount of journals and planners all around my home. I buy them thinking I’ll use the interesting and elaborate templates inside, only for them to hide in a drawer for years. Instead of buying expensive journals, stick to a notebook and some pencils. Notebooks can be purchased for less than $1 and last a while!
6. Trendy Decor
Trends aren’t forever, and getting swept up in them is easy. The 2010s brought many interesting decoration styles we don’t see much of today. This decade was full of farmhouse chic, brass decor, and modern-neutral colors. Honestly, I recommend decorating your home without the influence of others. Don’t chase trends—it’ll cost you! Instead, choose one or two staple pieces that can go with anything.
7. Seasonal Decor
Seasonal decor is a pretty similar item to trendy decor but is worth its own mention. For years, I fell into the trap of revamping my home with each season. I still do this, but without spending as much money. Instead of buying new seasonal Halloween, Spring, Christmas, or Fall decor, check out yard sales and thrift shops. You can also reuse last year’s items. I like only decorating with items that hold sentimental value—this way, I don’t pick up too much clutter.
8. Small Kitchen Appliances
I am guilty of collecting kitchen appliances. But it was way worse before I made some changes. I definitely overpaid for kitchen appliances with convenient and simple uses. There is nothing wrong with buying kitchen appliances like a toaster or air fryer. I use my air fryer weekly.
But there is no need to buy three different air fryers. They are expensive and will collect dust. Super-specific kitchen gadgets like cupcakes or ice makers are also unnecessary.
9. Prepackaged Snacks/Meals
Prepackaged snacks and meals are costly. They are common household items that we could do without, and they use a lot more plastic, which boosts the price. They are also only expensive for their convenience. I recommend buying the ingredients separately instead of buying prepackaged grapes and cheese. You’ll save money and have plenty of options.
10. Plastic Water Bottles
Buying packaged water bottles is unnecessary if you have access to clean, filtered water. However, they can add up. One case of 24 bottles rarely lasts one week at my home, and there are only two of us. I recommend buying a refillable water bottle instead. This way, you will have access to water no matter where you are.
11. Greeting Cards
This household item you’re overpaying for might be a hot take, but I stand by my words. You’re most likely overpaying for greeting cards. Greeting cards are so nice to receive and give, but paying more than $2 feels criminal. Not everyone keeps them! According to a poll, less than 40% of respondents kept sentimental keepsakes like greeting cards for over 20 years. Instead of buying expensive greeting cards in a store, make your own! This is more personal and memorable.
12. Pre-Cut Fruits and Veggies
Last but not least are pre-cut fruits and vegetables. Like prepackaged snacks, pre-cut fruits and veggies are a convenience. This luxury is expensive just for the convenience of not having to cut fruit. My problem with pre-cut fruits and veggies isn’t just the price. Sometimes, the fruits aren’t even ripe or in season! It’s a total waste of time. Just stick to buying and cutting fruit.
10 Practical Ways to Be Frugal Without Being Cheap
You can be frugal without being cheap by understanding the difference between price and value. A cheap person cares only about getting the lowest price. Frugal people look at price as one factor that determines value.
41 Shocking Ways You’re Throwing Money Down the Drain
There are many ways to increase the money in your bank account. Many people start by looking at ways to make more money. And, of course, that is a great solution. But it isn’t always the easiest. A better, easier way may be to examine your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for:
In this era of profound social division and discord, one thing everyone can agree on is worsening conditions for healthy personal finance. Whether it’s the dream of homeownership, the goal of building a robust investment portfolio, or simply affording necessities like food, individuals across the spectrum struggle to overcome the decline in their financial well-being due to economic changes.
