Accessibility Menu
AccessibilityHelp
The Motley FoolThe Motley Fool
  • All ServicesStock AdvisorEpicEpic PlusFool PortfoliosFool OnePodcasts HomeMotley Fool MoneyRule Breaker InvestingThe Motley Fool Foundation
  • Trending NewsStock Market NewsMarket MoversTech Stock NewsMarket TrendsConsumer Stock NewsCrypto NewsStock Market Indexes TodayMost Active Stocks TodayToday's Biggest Stock GainersToday's Biggest Stock LosersLargest Market Cap CompaniesMarket Research📨 Breakfast NewsTop Stocks to Buy NowBest ETFs to BuyBest AI StocksBest Growth StocksDividend KingsBest Index FundsNext Cryptos to ExplodeTechnologyEnergyReal EstateHealthcareConsumer GoodsMaterialsIndustrials
  • How to Invest MoneyWhat to Invest InHow to Invest in StocksHow to Invest in ETFsHow to Invest in Index FundsHow to Invest in BondsFinancial DictionaryStock Market 101Types of StocksStock Market SectorsStock Market IndexesWhat Are Stock Splits?What Is Compound Interest?After Hours TradingHow to Buy StockBest Brokers for BeginnersBest Brokerage AccountsGood Time to Buy StocksHow Many Shares to Buy?Portfolio DiversificationHow to Invest $100Magnificent Seven CompaniesWarren Buffett InvestmentsInvesting in ChatGPTInvesting in SpaceXInvesting in OpenAIInvesting in NvidiaInvesting in Databricks
  • Retirement 101Types of Retirement AccountsHow to Contribute to 401k/IRA?Strategies to Save for RetirementAsset Allocation for My AgeBest IRA Brokerage AccountsWithdrawal Rules for 401(k) PlansSocial Security 101How to Maximize Social Security?Full Retirement AgeCOLAsCalculate Your SS BenefitsCollecting Spousal BenefitsMaximize Social Security BenefitHow Much Do I Need to Retire?When To Retire401(k) Plans403(b) PlansRoth IRA PlansIRA PlansHSA PlansComplete Retirement GuideBest & Worst States to RetireAverage Retirement SavingsMoving for RetirementHealthcare in RetirementUnderstanding Taxes in Retirement401(k) Minimum Distributions
  • Best Credit CardsCompare Credit CardsCredit Card ReviewsCredit Card Guides and ToolsBest Savings AccountsBank ReviewsBest Personal LoansPersonal Loan ReviewsBest Mortgage LendersCurrent Mortgage RatesMortgage Lender ReviewsGuide to MortgagesAuto InsuranceHome InsuranceLife Insurance
  • About UsContact UsInvesting PhilosophyMotley Fool MoneyThe Motley Fool FoundationReviewsNewsroomFacebookTwitterYouTubeDiscussion BoardsCAPS - Stock Picking CommunityAdvertise With UsBecome an Affiliate PartnerPublishing StandardsAll ServicesStock AdvisorEpicEpic PlusFool PortfoliosFool One
  • Top 10 Stocks
Top 10 Stocks
Arrow-Thin-Down
S&P 500
6,735.35
+0.0%
+0.22
Arrow-Thin-Down
DJI
46,924.74
+0.5%
+218.16
Arrow-Thin-Down
NASDAQ
22,953.67
-0.2%
-36.88
Arrow-Thin-Down
Bitcoin
$108,279
+0.4%
+$444.38
Arrow-Thin-Down
AAPL
$263.1
+0.3%
+$0.86
Arrow-Thin-Down
AMZN
$222.2
+2.6%
+$5.72
Arrow-Thin-Down
GOOG
$251.47
-2.2%
-$5.55
Arrow-Thin-Down
META
$733.95
+0.2%
+$1.78
Arrow-Thin-Down
MSFT
$518.06
+0.2%
+$1.27
Arrow-Thin-Down
NVDA
$181.35
-0.7%
-$1.29
Arrow-Thin-Down
TSLA
$443.54
-0.9%
-$3.89
Daily Stock GainersDaily Stock LosersMost Active Stocks
Daily Stock GainersDaily Stock LosersMost Active Stocks

27 Things You're Probably Wasting Money On

By Christy Bieber - Apr 26, 2018 at 10:04 AM
glass jars filled with coins

It all adds up

Americans work more hours, take less vacation, and retire later than anyone else in the industrialized world. Yet, despite all these hours spent toiling on the job, most Americans have little to show for their labor.

More than three-fourths of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and 71% of American workers are in debt. It's not just lower income Americans who struggle; around 10% of households with income over $100,000 annually say it's hard to make ends meet.

Why don't Americans have more cash? There are a lot of big reasons, such as student loans and expensive housing. But, there are also lots of other expenditures that add up too. More than 8 of 10 Americans admit to wasting money, and in many cases, this wasted spending isn't just a few dollars. Most Americans are wasting thousands of dollars -- and you're probably one of them.

To figure out where your biggest money drains are, consider this list of 30 things you're probably wasting money on right now. 

ALSO READ: 3 Things Retirees Can't Afford to Waste Money On

1 of 29

Related Slideshows

  • Here Are the Top 10 Most Affordable Midwest Cities to Live In
  • 10 States With The Lowest Average Home Price
  • 10 States With The Highest Average Home Price
  • 10 States With the Most Credit Card Debt
  • 10 of the Best Costco Deals for May 2024

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.

View Premium Services
The Motley Fool

Making the world smarter, happier, and richer.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • TikTok

© 1995 - 2025 The Motley Fool. All rights reserved.

Market data powered by Xignite and Polygon.io.

About The Motley Fool

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Research
  • Newsroom
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Our Services

  • All Services
  • Stock Advisor
  • Epic
  • Epic Plus
  • Fool Portfolios
  • Fool One
  • Motley Fool Money

Around the Globe

  • Fool UK
  • Fool Australia
  • Fool Canada

Free Tools

  • CAPS Stock Ratings
  • Discussion Boards
  • Calculators
  • Financial Dictionary

Affiliates & Friends

  • Motley Fool Asset Management
  • Motley Fool Wealth Management
  • Motley Fool Ventures
  • Fool Community Foundation
  • Become an Affiliate Partner
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Copyright, Trademark and Patent Information
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information