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GOBankingRates’ editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines<\/a> and our products and services review methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n 20 Years Trusted by Statista Consumer Insights data<\/a> showed that 49% of Americans had cut back on their spending between October 2024 and September 2025. <\/p>\n An easy way to do this without giving up essentials is to rethink the items you\u2019re splurging on, as they may be hurting your budget<\/a> and cluttering your space.<\/p>\n In a recent YouTube video<\/a>, money expert George Kamel reacted to a Money Talks News list of digital and physical things that people buy and never use. Here are nine purchases that are often best to avoid, along with smart money-saving moves you can make instead<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1. Online Subscriptions<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to sign up for a free trial and forget to cancel or keep paying for online subscriptions that you got bored with months ago. These include not only streaming services<\/a> but also things like digital newspapers, online classes and software subscriptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n To stop wasting money, consider the minimalist approach Kamel discussed and cancel online subscriptions that go unused for 30 to 90 days. You can check your monthly statements, phone\u2019s app store and email accounts to identify old subscriptions.<\/p>\n 2. Extended Warranty Plans<\/p>\n While they seem practical, extended warranty plans on gadgets, appliances and other items often don\u2019t pay off. Even if your item does break, these warranties can have fine print and restrictions and sometimes do a better job of making the company money than helping you.<\/p>\n \u201cJust put some money aside to cover or replace that thing in the future or make the repair on it,\u201d Kamel said.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also wise to research and choose products known for their quality and generous warranties. Plus, some retailers, including Costco, extend the manufacturer\u2019s warranty on certain products for free.<\/p>\n 3. Expensive Exercise Equipment<\/p>\n A fancy new exercise bike or treadmill might seem like a good motivator that finally gets you to work out. But actually exercising enough to make your purchase worth it isn\u2019t always easy.<\/p>\n Kamel said he\u2019s learned this lesson with his unused stair stepper and weight bench at home. Consider opting for free or cheap options, such as going for a jog or purchasing used equipment. You can always upgrade once you\u2019ve built up an exercise habit.<\/p>\n 4. Unnecessary Baby Items<\/p>\n BabyCenter<\/a> found that parents could spend over $20,000 on their baby over the first year. While you can\u2019t skip the expensive essentials, some parents splurge on unnecessary things like designer baby clothing, baby wipe warmers and baby food makers.<\/p>\n Take Kamel\u2019s advice to stick with the necessities so you\u2019ll spend less and avoid cluttering your house. Shop for deals on what you need and save the extra money for your baby\u2019s future, including their college education.<\/p>\n 5. Cookbooks<\/p>\n You might buy some cookbooks with plans to make creative dishes for your family. But if you\u2019re like many people, you\u2019ll let those books collect dust and instead find recipes online.<\/p>\n \u201cI own probably six or seven cookbooks against my will, and I have never cracked them open, but they are beautiful,\u201d Kamel said.<\/p>\n Sticking with free online recipes is better for your budget and space. Kamel added that ChatGPT is another great way to get recipes if you\u2019d like to avoid annoying ads on websites.<\/p>\n 6. Planners and Journals<\/p>\n The value for some purchases depends on the type of person you are. If you\u2019re someone who often turns to digital tools like Google Calendar or your phone\u2019s calendar app, physical planners and journals will probably go to waste, so save your money<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Otherwise, Kamel wasn\u2019t against going with the analog version. You might find that using a physical journal or planner is less distracting and helps you be more productive.\u00a0<\/p>\n 7. Single-Use Kitchen Appliances<\/p>\n When investing in appliances, you should choose quality items you\u2019ll use regularly. While that cotton candy machine, popcorn kettle or cake pop maker might seem cool, the novelty likely won\u2019t last, and you\u2019ll have spent money on something that just gets dusty.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Having purchased several single-use gadgets, Kamel suggested, \u201cIf you do need it once, see if you can borrow it from someone who does have it, and if you can\u2019t borrow it, see if you can buy used from Facebook Marketplace.\u201d<\/p>\n 8. Travel Accessories<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning your vacation<\/a> and splurge on single-purpose travel accessories you don\u2019t need. These could include fancy luggage, passport covers, travel books, sophisticated toiletry bags and travelers\u2019 money belts.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.gobankingrates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/icon-20.svg?webp=1&quality=75\"){kind=icon}
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