It's easy to fall into the trap of spending money on things we think we need or that promise to make our lives better .
From the latest tech gadgets and brand name sneakers to eating out too often or accumulating subscriptions we barely use , these spending habits can quickly drain our wallets , leaving us wondering where all our money went .
But here's the good news .
You have the power to change your spending habits and take control of your financial future .
Here are 9 things poor people there waste money on .
Number 1 .
Expensive beauty products .
Expensive beauty products can seem like they're the best choice because of their price and fancy packaging .
However , you don't need to spend a lot of money to look and feel great .
There are plenty of affordable beauty products that work just as well , if not better than the expensive ones .
It's all about finding what works for your skin and sticking to it .
Start by reading reviews online or asking friends for recommendations .
Sometimes , a less expensive product has the same ingredients as the costly one .
Also , some drugstore brands are known for their high quality yet affordable products .
Don't be fooled by the brand name .
The effectiveness of a product is what truly matters .
You can also look for multipurpose products like a moisturizer with sun protection factor to save money .
Remember , a high price tag doesn't always mean better quality .
By choosing wisely , you can keep your skin healthy and your wallet happy without sacrificing your beauty routine .
Number 2 .
Luxury accessories .
Luxury accessories like designer handbags , watches , and jewelry can be really tempting .
They look nice , and it feels good to have something fancy , but they can cost a lot of money .
Sometimes people buy these expensive items thinking they need them .
But often it's more about wanting them because of their brand name or because they're fashionable .
It's important to think carefully about whether you really need a luxury item or if you just want it .
Needs are things you must have to live safely and comfortably like food , a home , and basic clothes .
Wants are things that are nice to have , but you can live without .
Saving money by not buying expensive accessories means you can spend it things that are more important or save for the future .
There are many affordable and good looking alternatives that won't empty your wallet .
Remember the value of something isn't always determined by its price tag .
Number 3 .
Latest smartphone models .
Getting the latest smartphone model right when it comes out is exciting , but it can also be really expensive .
These new models often have cool new features , but they might not be that different from the older ones .
Plus , the price usually goes down after a few months , or a newer model comes out , making the one you just bought less special .
Instead of buying the newest phone right away , waiting a bit can save you a lot of money .
The older model's prices drop when a new phone comes out , so you can get a great phone for less money .
Another smart choice is buying a refurbished phone .
Refurbished means it's been used before but fixed up to work like new , and it's much cheaper .
By choosing to wait or buy refurbished , you can still get a fantastic smartphone without spending all your savings .
Plus , you're making a more environmentally friendly choice by not always going for the newest thing .
Number 4 .
Extended data plans .
Extended data plans for your phone can seem like a good idea because you get a lot of Internet data to use each month .
However , they can be really expensive , and you might not even use all the data you're paying for .
It's like buying a huge bucket of popcorn at the movies and only eating half .
You paid for the whole bucket but didn't get your money's worth .
To avoid wasting money , it's smart to check how much data you actually use .
Look at your phone settings .
It can tell you how much data you've used in the past month .
You might be surprised to find out you're using less than you thought .
If you're using less data , switching to a cheaper plan with less data can save you a lot of money over time .
Plus , you can always use Wi Fi at home or in public places to save on data usage .
This way , you're only paying for what you really need .
Number 5 .
Cable and phone insurance .
Cable and phone insurance might seem like a smart move because it promises to fix or replace your items if something bad happens .
But this insurance can actually cost more than it's worth , especially if you never use it .
It's like carrying an umbrella all the time just in case it rains , but it hardly ever does .
Before signing up for any insurance , think about how much you're paying every month and what it really covers .
For phones , many times , the cost of insurance over a year or 2 can be as much as buying a new phone , especially if there's a high deductible , which is the amount you pay before the insurance helps out .
It might be better to set aside a little money each month into savings .
That way if something happens to your phone or cable , you can use your own savings to fix or replace them without paying for unnecessary insurance every month .
Number 6 .
Expensive college courses .
Going to an expensive college might seem like the only way to get a great education , but there are cheaper options that can save you a lot of money .
Community colleges offer many of the same courses as expensive universities , but at a fraction of the cost .
You can take classes there for 2 years , and then if you want , transfer to a university to finish your degree .
This way , you get the same diploma but spend much less money .
Another option is taking courses online .
Many websites and colleges offer online classes that can be way cheaper or even free .
These courses can give you the skills and knowledge you need for your future job without the huge price tag .
Both community colleges and online courses are great ways to learn without spending a ton of money on tuition .
They can be just as good as expensive colleges , helping you save money for other important things in your life .
Number 7 .
Unneeded textbooks .
Buying brand new textbooks for school can be super expensive , but there are cheaper ways to get the books you need without emptying your wallet .
One smart move is to buy used textbooks .
Often , you can find them at your school's bookstore or online at lower prices .
Since textbooks don't change much from year to year , a used book can be just as good as a new one .
Another option is to go digital .
Many textbooks come in digital versions that you can read on a tablet or computer .
Digital books are usually cheaper than physical ones and are easier to carry around .
You won't have a heavy backpack , and you can quickly search for key information in your books .
Choosing used or digital textbook saves money and still gets you the information you need for your classes .
Plus , it's better for the environment since it means fewer books are produced and thrown away .
Number 8 , workshops and seminars .
Workshops and seminars can be really helpful for learning new things or improving skills , but they often come with a high price tag .
The good news is there are tons of free resources and webinars available online that cover the same topics without costing you a dime .
Libraries , community centers , and even online platforms offer free workshops on everything from coding and photography to writing and business skills .
These sessions are often taught by experts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge .
Plus , many websites and educational platforms host webinars .
These are online seminars where you can learn and even ask questions just like in a real classroom , but from the comfort of your home .
By choosing free resources and webinars , you get to save money while still learning and growing .
It's a smart way to keep improving yourself without spending a lot on expensive courses or events .
Remember the best investment you can make is in your own education , and often it doesn't have to cost anything .
Number 9 .
Credit card interest .
Credit card interest is like a sneaky extra charge that adds up when you don't pay off your credit card balance every month .
Imagine you buy a video game with your credit card and don't pay the money back right away .
The credit card company will start charging you interest , which is extra money on top of what you already owe for the game .
Over time , you could end up paying a lot more for that game than its original price .
The smart move is to pay off the whole balance on your credit card every month if you can .
This way , you avoid paying any interest at all .
Think of it like this .
If you can't afford to pay for something in full by the end of the month , It's probably better to save up for it first rather than using your credit card .
This will help you save money and avoid falling into a trap of growing debt .