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Manifestation may be able to help your financial situation whether you’re new to the practice or not. If you’re struggling with paying your monthly bills or have difficulties paying off debt, learning how to manifest money might be the solution for you.

Manifestation uses multiple methods, and you can experiment to see which ones work best for you. Although some people believe that manifestation isn’t backed by science, we’re going to explain how positive psychology may suggest otherwise.

What is manifestation?

Simply put, manifestation is the practice of thinking about something you want as though it’s already happened, and that positivity and actionable thinking making it so. This process is the same whether you want to manifest money or happiness: the more you think of it as already having happened, the more likely it is to happen.

Manifestation also involves focusing on what you want with your actions. This can be through meditation, journaling, creating a vision board or something else entirely.

What is the law of attraction?

An aspect of manifestation is the law of attraction, which is a belief that whatever we put into our lives is what we receive in return—both good and bad. This is similar to a self-fulfilling prophecy. For instance, you may make a mistake because you’re preoccupied with the worries about making a mistake. On the flip side, if someone is working toward a promotion and raise, that is also likely to happen.

You may have heard of the most famous book on the law of attraction, “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. This 2006 book was promoted by Oprah Winfrey and immediately became a smash hit. One could argue that “The Secret” is the primary reason that the law of attraction gained such popularity, which created an entire movement.

People now use the law of attraction to:

• Increase personal wealth
• Get a better job
• Find loving relationships
• Travel the world
• Create the overall life they want

Manifestation and the law of attraction work together. Think about manifestation methods as ways to make the law of attraction work for you. By using some of the methods described below, you’ll be able to attract money and more.

How does manifestation work?

Those who practice manifestation believe that everything in the universe has a frequency, and we can match our personal frequency to attract what we want. This means that the new house or car you want has a frequency. And yes, it even means that your future spouse has a frequency as well.

(Even if the belief of manifestation isn’t for you, consider using the power of positive thinking—or law of attraction—to create positive change in your life.)

How to attract money

Money has a frequency, too. By using manifestation methods, you can match your frequency to attract money. Money and the law of attraction often go hand in hand since money presents all of us with more options.

Eager to get started attracting money?

Next, we’ll discuss what to do before manifesting money, money manifestation methods and how to eliminate obstacles that might get in your way.

What to do before you start manifesting

No matter how you choose to manifest, your mindset is the most important aspect of manifesting abundance and money. If you aren’t in a headspace that is positive and open to receiving money, then you won’t receive it.

Prior to practicing manifestation, there are some internal challenges that many of us need to overcome in order to adapt our mindsets.

Recognize past issues with money

Issues with money can be deeply rooted inside of us, and some people have anxieties around money for most of their lives.

However, in order to manifest money, you first must recognize past issues with it. This is beneficial because a major part of manifestation is thinking positively and not letting obstacles, including unhelpful money mindsets, get in your way.

Everyone’s money issues can be different, but know that everyone has them. Regardless of what you struggle with, manifestation requires addressing those issues before moving forward.

Address any limiting beliefs

Limiting beliefs are negative beliefs that may prevent you from succeeding or possibly lead to self-sabotage. Some limiting beliefs include:

• Believing you’ll never be successful
• Believing you’re not deserving
• Believing that manifestation can’t work for you

Limiting beliefs are not helpful for manifestation because they are closely related to cognitive distortions, or inflated thoughts that can distort your perception of reality. A great example is the limiting belief of never being successful. Having this belief can lead to self-sabotage before you even begin manifesting.

Five money manifestation methods

Much like any other skill, manifesting for money takes practice, so try a few different methods to see what works best for you.

Here are five of the most common methods that you can experiment with.

1. Say money manifestation mantras

Money mantras or affirmations are phrases that you repeat to yourself to stay positive and remind you of what you’re working toward. These simple phrases can help lift you out of a rut or give you a reminder that though the work you’re putting in may be hard, it will all be worth it in the long run.

Below are some popular and effective mantras for manifesting your money. This is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to use these and any more you find that help you in your manifestation journey. Use these to help you with your money manifestation or when you need a reminder of why you’re manifesting in the first place.

• Wealth flows into my life with ease.
• I am a magnet for money.
• My income exceeds my expenses.
• There is always enough money in my life.
• I am worthy of the wealth I desire.
• I am financially free.
• I can look at my finances without fear.
• I attract money on a daily basis.
• There are no limits to the amount of money I can receive.
• I release all resistance to attracting money.

2. Journal regularly

Developing the habit of journaling on a regular basis allows you to have a space for your thoughts and goals without the fear of judgment. Keeping a journal will help you keep an eye on the money you want to attract, and it’ll also help you address limiting beliefs that may arise.

One great benefit of having a journal is that you can look back and see how far you’ve come. When you get that raise or promotion, you’ll be able to go to that page and remember that success is possible.

3. Create a vision board

A vision board is a collage of images or words representing your wishes or goals, intended to serve as inspiration. One of the most popular methods of manifestation, it helps you attract what you desire while also serving as a daily reminder of your goals.

Your vision board can include pictures of the car you want or a big home you’d like to live in. You can add places you want to travel to as well as big piles of money. It’s your vision board, so feel free to get creative!

4. Surround yourself with positivity

If you’re hoping to manifest money and other positive aspects in your life, you need to surround yourself with positivity. This may require you to set boundaries with people in your life who bring negativity. The people in your corner should be the ones who see the glass as half full and motivate you to reach your goals.

5. Fake it until you make it

There’s an old saying, “Act as if,” which refers to acting as if you have what you’re seeking. In reference to manifesting money, act as if you’re a confident, successful person who has all the money they need. This doesn’t mean going out spending money recklessly or racking up bad debt.

Faking it until you make it means adopting the mindset of someone who has an abundance of money. For example, would a person with plenty of money lack self-confidence and be filled with doubt? Of course not! So, hold your head up high and attract money and opportunities by acting like you have it and deserve it as well.

Does money manifestation work?

Manifestation works, but people have their doubts. On the surface, manifestation sounds like some sort of magic, but there is research that shows these methods can work.

The science of money manifestation

There’s an entire field called “positive psychology,” which was popularized by Martin Seligman, Ph.D., former president of the American Psychological Association (APA). When looking at positive psychology as well as other branches of psychology, you’ll find many parallels with manifestation methods that are backed by research. Research shows that:

• Belief can change your reality
• Feeling in control leads to happiness and a longer life
• You can overcome helplessness

Below are some studies that back up these three points.

Belief can change your reality

One study conducted by Ellen Langer found that beliefs can actually help you with weight loss. Researchers told a group of housekeepers how many calories they burn while working, and one month later, those housekeepers had lost more weight than a control group.

Feeling in control leads to happiness and a longer life

In another study, Langer and her research partner Judith Rodin gave residents of a nursing home more control over their day-to-day lives. This group of older adults were not only happier, but they also ended up living longer than the control group after the experiment was completed.

You can overcome helplessness

Positive psychologist Shawn Achor also explores Martin Seligman’s research about learned helplessness in his book “The Happiness Advantage.” Seligman found that past experiences can make a person give up. But when you eliminate limiting beliefs, you’re more likely to pursue your dreams.

Money manifestation best practices

A common misconception is that manifestation is simply putting some pictures on a vision board and letting the universe do the rest. Those who manifest money successfully know that taking action is required to achieve their goals. Below are a few best practices for manifesting money by taking action:

• Use your confidence: There’s no more being silent. Tell people what you want.
• Work hard: Showing up and doing your best at work will be noticed and improve your chances of a raise or promotion.
• Catch your limiting beliefs: When limiting beliefs arise, turn to your mantras.
• Develop good habits: Whether it’s journaling or saying affirmations, designate a daily time where you can use these manifestation methods.
• Recognize bad habits: No amount of manifestation can counteract bad spending habits, so develop a budget and keep your goals in mind.

Now that you understand how to manifest money, it’s time to address any obstacles that may be standing in your way. We’ve discussed how negativity and past struggles with money can hold you back, and this can include negative marks on your credit report. Collection calls and a low credit score may prevent you from properly manifesting, and that’s where CreditRepair.com can help.

Whether you want to pay off a credit card, get a new job or simply fix your credit, through a positive mindset and actionable steps, you can do anything you put your mind to. Contact us today to speak with a credit advocate and see how we can help you reach your financial goals.

Note: The information provided on CreditRepair.com does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only.

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It’s time to say “Ho, ho, ho!” to the winter holidays without putting a “ho, ho, hole” in your wallet. With so many expenses bundled up at the end of the year, November and December can be a stressful time. If you’re trying to spread joy without spreading your finances too thin, you may need to spend some time budgeting for the holidays.

Holiday budgeting isn’t as hard as you might think, and sticking to your budget is a lot easier when you’ve laid out your plans clearly. 

Follow our tips below to master your holiday budget—that way, you can give yourself the gift of stress-free finances to end the year right.

1. Look at last year’s holiday spending

Get ready to sleigh your budget by looking at last year’s financial successes and places for improvement. Pull up your bank and credit card statements—or any receipts you saved—from last holiday shopping season. 

Ask yourself some of the following questions:

• Where was I able to save money?
• What did I buy that feels wasteful now?
• What did I spend money on that was most valuable?

Ultimately, taking a look at your previous spending should help you decide on what you value most in the holiday season: family, travel, meals, gifts, traditions or something else entirely. Take these values forward into your budgeting so you know what to prioritize.

2. Set a realistic limit

You snow the drill: a budget only works if we put a cap on it. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so you’ll want to take a look at your income, savings and essential expenses to come up with a number that’s right for you. 

No matter what, make sure your limit is realistic. Writing down an absurdly low number may feel like progress, but you could be disappointed if you end up overspending. On the other hand, shooting too high may lead to missed opportunities for saving. 

The average American household spends almost $1,500 on purchases related to the winter holidays, but your budget may be more or less depending on the size of your family and your financial situation. 

Here’s the best gut check for your limit: imagine the number you chose disappeared from your bank account right now. Would you still be on solid financial footing? If not, you may be cutting into expenses that are more essential than your holiday budget.

3. Start a conversation

Before you start to “treat yo elf,” remember everyone else you need to include in your holiday plans. Whether you’re single, married or have kids, a holiday budget usually involves expenses that extend beyond yourself.

When you’re looking to spend less or spend wisely, it’s best to talk with your friends and family to make sure you know what’s important about the holidays for those you love. During those conversations, you’ll also want to make sure you share your own hopes for the holidays. 

Having conversations about money can be tough in any case, but even more so when the holidays are involved. We’ve got conversation starters to help you discuss holiday spending with your family, partner or kids. 

4. Lay out all of your expenses

When you think about your holiday spending, you may fir-get that it involves a lot more than just gifts. Finding memorable gifts for everyone in your life may occupy your holiday attention, but your budget needs a few more line items.

Consider some of these other expenses that may need to be accounted for:

• Groceries and restaurants
• Car or air travel
• Decorations
• Clothes
• Cards or stamps
• Wrapping paper or gift bags

Making sure that your budget encompasses all of your expenses is a great way to avoid overspending. 

A good guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule: Aim to spend 50 percent of your income on needs, 30 percent of your income on wants and 20 percent of your income on savings or debt payments. Since holiday budgeting likely falls under the “wants” category, you’ll want to calculate with 30 percent of your income—but be sure to factor in non-holiday wants as well.

5. Try out envelope budgeting

If you think envelopes are great for holiday cards, yule love hearing how they can make your budget even better. Envelope budgeting is the process of determining a dollar amount for each expense and setting that money aside so that you don’t use it for anything else. 

If you’re using cash, you can use actual envelopes—but there are alternatives for online money management, too. For example, many banks enable you to create savings buckets, so you can split up your account into different categories. By creating a bucket for each holiday expense, you can get a sense of how much you still need to save, and you can keep track of your spending throughout the season.

6. Make a list and check it twice

If the holidays have you feeling Santa-mental, it may be time to plan which gifts to get—otherwise people might see you as a rebel without a Claus. Although it’s tempting to get an expensive gift for everyone on your list, you’ll want to prioritize spending on the most important people in your life.

Keeping your overall spending limit in mind, list out the people you want to buy gifts for, then write down their likes or wish list to come up with a spending target. If you need help keeping track, we’ve got a great resource for making a gift list.

7. Give your time 

While gifts often feel like the only way to celebrate the holidays, those closest to us often prefer our presence to our presents. During a busy time of the year, taking a moment to get together with friends or family is often the best gift of all. 

Here are some ideas for gifting your time:

• Set up a potluck
• Host a board game or trivia party
• Help out with decorating
• Pitch in with winter chores
• Take your nieces or nephews for a day trip
• Schedule a family video chat

Whatever your family or friends enjoy doing together, make it a point to set aside time to make it happen—the memories will likely last longer than any gift.

8. Share some creative coupons

If expensive gifts are your go-to, you may need to act more like a Christmas tree and branch out. Personalized gift coupons are one of the oldest tricks in the book, but they’ve stuck around for a simple reason: they’re actually amazing. 

With one of your gift coupons, your partner can redeem a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows on a chilly evening or your kids can cash in for a few extra minutes before bedtime. Of course, you may also have some great ideas of your own for how to fill out a super special holiday coupon.

Use one of our pre-made coupons or fill out your own to share with your friends, family or children.

9. Start new traditions

If your holiday routine is in a rut, it may be time to spruce things up. The main point of your holiday season may currently be gift-giving, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Often the best parts of the holidays are the little traditions that don’t cost much or anything at all. 

If your holiday crew has decided to scale down the presents, try some of the following alternatives for low-cost and memorable traditions:

• Caroling door to door
• Visiting well-decorated neighborhoods
• Baking cookies and other treats
• Playing board games
• Volunteering at a local charity
• Sharing family stories
• Creating holiday crafts
• Watching classic holiday movies

Whatever you choose to do, do it with the people you love. Most of our lasting memories of the holidays revolve around people rather than presents, so starting a new tradition is a great way to keep your spending under budget while increasing your joy.

10. Create personalized gifts

It’s simple Claus and effect: giving personalized gifts makes the recipient feel special. Taking a moment to think about what someone really needs shows care and consideration that outweighs any monetary value. 

Some of the best gifts are inexpensive or free—but well-thought-out. Personalized gifts can be DIY or purchased. Maybe you provide cooking lessons for a family member you know has been hoping to improve their culinary skills. Perhaps you craft fabric ornaments for all your coworkers. Or you may simply write a thoughtful letter to a friend you know needs to hear from you. 

11. Watch out for “buy now, pay later”

The sticker shock on popular holiday gifts often has us all muttering, “Say it ain’t snow.” In the past few years, many companies have tried to hide the true cost of larger purchases with “buy now, pay later” offers. Instead of seeing the full cost, you’ll see a monthly payment and a term. 

While the short-term cost may seem appealing, this long-term contract for holiday spending can throw a wrench in your budget. If you’re going to end up paying $50 each month for two years to cover the cost of a present, for example, your budget may not actually stretch for the entire $1,200 cost. 

A good motto to stick by during the holiday shopping season is this: if you can’t afford it now, you can’t afford it (yet). Your budget may change down the line, but it’s best to stay within your current means when making holiday purchases.

12. Be mindful of credit card spending

Credit cards are wonderful financial resources, but they can get you in a fa-la-la-lot of trouble if you don’t monitor your spending carefully. While it’s tempting to spend up to your card’s limit, a good approach is to set your own spending limit that matches your budget. 

Paying off your full credit card balance every month is an excellent habit that can boost your credit score, and you don’t want to make an exception for the holidays. Remember the budget you set for the holidays, and don’t let your credit card interfere with your financial goals. If it helps you keep your seasonal spending in check, consider sticking with your debit card or cash during the holidays.

If you’re using a credit card during the holidays or any time, you’ll want to make sure to keep a close eye on your credit report. Errors and inaccuracies with your personal information, balances or payment history can happen, and unless you file a dispute, your score may drop unnecessarily as a result. If you’re having trouble understanding the information on your credit report or need help fixing your score, a credit repair company could be the support you need. 

With a solid plan in place for your holiday budget, you’ll be able to stress less about finances and focus on what matters most this time of year: being with the people you love.

Reviewed by Anthony Moore, Credit Consultant and Trainer at CreditRepair.com.

Anthony Moore started working for CreditRepair.com November of 2016. Anthony Moore started as a credit advisor, and quickly advanced to to helping members get caught up on their overdue payments. In addition to reviewing and writing content for CreditRepair.com, Anthony assists other credit advisors with approvals and supports the credit repair process.

Note: The information provided on CreditRepair.com does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only.

The post 12 holiday budgeting tips to save money and stay merry appeared first on CreditRepair.com.

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Does your spending make you nervous? Maybe you see your bank and credit card statements and get a sinking feeling at how many things you’ve bought that month? The truth is that many of us are wasting money in various ways: buying things we don’t need, throwing stuff away we once thought we had to have and blissfully ignoring the monthly fees and subscriptions that whittle away at our bank account balances.

Taking a step back to audit your spending is an important part of improving your approach to personal finance—and it’s the only way to know if you’re wasting money. Read on for the full list of things you may be wasting money on and ideas for how to save so that you have more money for what’s really important to you.

1. Dining out frequently

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 44 percent of the money Americans spend on food is for dining out, including an average weekly spend of $18 on lunch and $28 on dinner. That adds up to almost $3,500 spent on eating out over the course of a year—a huge cost compared to preparing meals at home.

What to do: You don’t need to stop eating out entirely, but consider cutting back on the amount you spend by planning your meals in advance and bringing your lunch to work or school.  

2. Forgotten subscriptions

If you haven’t taken a look at your recurring charges recently, you may be surprised to see where your money is going. The average American now spends $273 every month on subscriptions according to West Monroe—or a total of more than $3,000 each year.

What to do: Giving up all subscriptions is probably impractical, but many people have found that rotating subscriptions helps. Consider subscribing to a streaming service for a month to watch the shows you care most about, then cancel for a while.

3. Expensive cell phone plans

Remember when we used to pay 10 cents for each text message? Cell phone plans now include a lot more, but they cost a lot more, too. Research from Allconnect found that the average family pays anywhere from $175 to $230 each month for their unlimited data cell service. While phones are more or less essential in our lives now, there are cheaper plans available if you look around.

What to do: Reevaluate what you need in a cell phone plan. Many people have unlimited data but don’t actually use it because of widely available Wi-Fi. And prepaid plans offer huge savings for certain types of usage.

4. Individual plastic water bottles

Despite the increased awareness of the harm caused by plastic, bottled water sales continue to rise every year. In fact, the average U.S. resident now consumes 45.2 gallons of bottled water every year compared to just 27.8 gallons in 2010. Fresh water is essential, but the cost of individual bottles isn’t just harmful to the environment—it’s a huge drain on your wallet as well.

What to do: Consider using a reusable water bottle instead of individual plastic bottles. If your area doesn’t have readily available fresh water, using large refillable jugs is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

5. In-app purchases

Small in-app purchases, known as microtransactions, have taken off in the last few years. Most of us used to laugh at the idea of paying for in-game currency for a smartphone game. But as of 2020, the average iPhone user spends $138 annually on in-app purchases, up from $33 just six years ago.

What to do: Avoid saving your credit card information on your phone’s app store. Taking a moment to enter your credit card details gives you time to consider whether you really need to spend that money at all.

6. Credit card interest charges

Many people have heard the myth that keeping a balance on your credit card helps build your credit score, but it’s not true. In fact, keeping a balance is likely to decrease your score, and it will definitely lead to interest charges. Credit card interest is particularly high, so any balance you leave on your card will mean spending money on interest rather than something else that’s more important to you.

What to do: Pay your credit card balance on time and in full every single month. If you’re struggling with your score or your financial habits, reach out to a credit repair company.

7. Brand-new cars

A car is often essential for getting to work or school, and you should definitely be driving a safe vehicle. However, many people fall into the trap of upgrading their car too often, especially when the dealership calls and offers a “great value.” Many of us get lured into the trap of hearing about the shiny new car’s monthly payment—but what’s the real cost? And do you need a new car right now?

What to do: Look at Edmunds’ cost of car ownership calculator to give yourself an idea of whether a new vehicle fits into your financial lifestyle right now.

8. Extended warranties

You may have been getting scam phone calls about your car’s extended warranty, which you should definitely ignore. But even when warranties aren’t a scam, they often aren’t a great deal. Most warranties come with many exclusions and exceptions, so the hundreds or thousands you spend to protect your car or house may not even cover you when you finally need a repair.

What to do: Set aside the money you would have spent on your warranty each month to prepare for eventual repairs.

9. Meal delivery services

Having a fresh restaurant meal sitting on your doorstep is a special kind of satisfaction, but the cost lurking behind your order may upset your stomach. Popular meal delivery services can charge up to 91 percent more than you’d pay for food in the restaurant—so suddenly that $10 Korean beef bowl costs nearly $20, and that’s before the tip.

What to do: Skip the high markup from meal delivery and call the restaurant directly to pick up your food—or take up cooking to save money and impress your friends.

10. Unused memberships

A membership can be a wise investment if you use it—but many of us let our membership fees pile up and get nothing in return. Did you know that gyms count on a majority of their members showing up seldom or never? The average gym membership costs $58 each month, and many people with a membership rarely set foot inside.

What to do: If you’re keeping your gym membership out of guilt or aspiration, consider canceling temporarily. You can still get a great workout at home by using beginner programs online.

11. Multi-level marketing companies

In recent years, a host of companies have emerged promising that you can be your own boss, work from home and find massive financial success. The catch? You have to invest your own money to get started. These organizations, called multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, encourage their members to recruit others to increase their revenue. MLMs are required to post their financial statistics, so you can see the truth for yourself: One popular company, Young Living, revealed that in 2020 almost 90 percent of its members had a median annual income of $0.

What to do: Save your money and avoid any organization that promises to make you rich if you can convince enough of your friends to join. To earn extra cash, consider a flexible gig that matches your skill set.

12. Brand-name products

What’s the difference between a brand-name product and the generic equivalent? Usually not much—but you’ll certainly pay more. For household staples like cleaning products and over-the-counter drugs, buying the brand-name product will likely earn you some status points and not much else.

What to do: Whenever possible, opt for generic products to save yourself a few dollars at a time, adding up to some serious cash over the long term.

13. Coffee shop drinks

Nothing beats a well-made coffee prepared by a talented barista, and you hardly notice a few dollars disappearing from your bank account with each trip to the local coffee shop. But the average American millennial spends over $2,000 at coffee shops annually—and those aged 35-44 spend almost as much, spending $1,410 each year.

What to do: Consider brewing more often at home, which is much more cost-effective and can create a nice morning ritual.

14. Lottery tickets

What would you do with a thousand dollars? It’s nice to imagine all of the possibilities, and you don’t even have to win the lottery to follow through on them. Around half of all Americans spend on average more than $1,000 on lottery tickets each year, so a number of people could have much more money in their pockets just by opting to save rather than hoping to win big. After all, your chance of winning the jackpot with six correct numbers is around 1 in 14 million.

What to do: Take the money you would’ve spent on lottery tickets and set it aside. By the end of the year, treat yourself to something you want with your very own jackpot.

15. Overpriced groceries and wasted food

Don’t think for a second that we’re suggesting you give up the grocery store, which is a great place to save money on food and find healthier choices. However, you should be careful to avoid wasting money at the store. For example, the average American family of four throws out $1,500 in food per year—most of it perfectly fine to eat.

What to do: Watch out for spending traps at the grocery store. For instance, buying pre-cut vegetables and fruits often costs significantly more. By optimizing your meal plans, freezing food or sharing ingredients with your neighbors, you can avoid throwing away food you bought with your hard-earned money.

16. High-interest mortgage

A house is likely the most expensive purchase most people will make in their lives, and a mortgage is inevitable for almost everyone who doesn’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars socked away. But if you’ve had your mortgage for a while, you could be wasting money. When interest rates decrease, the opportunity to refinance a mortgage offers the potential for huge savings. Last year, a typical borrower refinanced a $300,000 loan from 4.3 percent to 3.1 percent—a savings of more than $75,000 in interest over 30 years.

What to do: Take a look at your current mortgage cost, and reach out to a bank or credit union to see if you qualify for a lower interest rate.

17. Unneeded storage units

Storage units can be a useful temporary solution, but long-term storage can become a money pit. In some cases, we end up storing items that we completely forget about and may not need at all. But we continue to pay so we don’t have to deal with them. Around 13.5 million households in the United States rent a storage unit at an average cost of more than $1,000 each year.

What to do: Take a look in your storage unit and ask yourself: “What will this stuff be worth to me in 10 years?” The cost to store it that long may be more than $10,000, so if the answer you come up with is less, it might be time to let the rental lapse and to sell or donate your belongings.

18. High-cost insurance

A variety of insurance is useful or legally required: health insurance, car insurance and homeowners insurance, for example. But the costs of insurance tend to rise unless you take an active role in reevaluating your plans from time to time. Research shows that most Americans rarely reconsider their insurance, and the average savings is more than $400 for switching auto plans.

What to do: Shop around for new insurance plans. You may even be able to stay on your current plan if you show your insurer a competitor’s offer and ask them to match it.

19. Piles of books

Reading is one of the most satisfying and enriching activities. On the other hand, many of us buy books that we only read once, which may be a poor investment. In total, Americans spend almost $20 billion on books annually, and our bookshelves are littered with books we have never touched or will never read again.

What to do: Consider opting for used or library books. Your local library may be part of a system that lets you request books from nearby libraries, and most libraries now also provide rentals for e-books and audiobooks.

20. New clothes every season

A wardrobe refresh can give you an emotional rush, but many of us are stuck in a routine of buying and throwing out clothes far too quickly. The average household spends almost $1,500 each year on clothing, and fast fashion has led many of us to believe that wearing clothes for more than a season is taboo.

What to do: Consider taking a trip to the thrift store or buying more timeless pieces to avoid the temptation to constantly purchase new clothes.

21. Lifestyle creep

Lifestyle creep is the financial cycle that can follow a successful career—earn a bit more, spend a bit more. Before you know it, your actual net worth isn’t increasing because all of your extra income is going toward a more lavish lifestyle. While indulging yourself from time to time is healthy and beneficial, it’s important to be mindful of where your pay increases are going.

What to do: Take stock of your expenses—essential and nonessential—and make sure that a part of each pay raise is going toward your savings and retirement.

22. Costly cable services

While streaming services have taken hold in recent years, cable still has a firm grasp on our entertainment dollars. More than 65 percent of Americans pay for cable, and for all they are paying, most people only watch a few channels out of the hundreds their plans include.

What to do: Consider cutting the cord if it will help you save money—a combination of streaming services and sports packages may still be cheaper than your monthly cable costs.

23. Simple home repairs

Just when life seems to be going well, it seems like something is likely to break down. When the item in question is important, like a toilet or an air conditioner, most of us are quick to call the repair company. Nowadays, though, a surprising number of quick fixes around the house are a lot easier with a quick video tutorial online—and you could save hundreds. For example, an air conditioner capacitor costs just $20, but your bill could be upwards of $300 if you call for support.

What to do: Flex your DIY muscles and consider tackling some jobs around the house to save on repair bills. Of course, be careful and use proper precautions when working with electricity and plumbing.

24. Cartons of cigarettes

If you’re finding it hard to kick the nicotine habit, you aren’t alone: More than 1 out of 10 American adults regularly smoke cigarettes. But the costs of cigarettes are real and varied. The cigarettes themselves are increasingly expensive, and the average pack-a-day smoker will spend more than $2,000 annually on cigarettes. Beyond that, the health care costs associated with smoking-related illness top $300 billion annually in the United States.

What to do: Kicking the habit can be difficult, but reaching out to your doctor for support could save you a ton of money—both now and down the road.

25. Frequent pest control

It may be a myth that everyone eats spiders while they sleep, but having bugs around the house is unsettling regardless. With more than a third of homeowners and renters spotting roaches, it’s no surprise we’re keen to rid the world of bugs. Pest control services promise to clear out bugs from your home, and many are quite effective at following through. That said, getting caught in a contract for pest control can be costly or even unnecessary in many cases.

What to do: Use pest control services as needed rather than signing up for a lengthy contract, or consider using natural alternatives to deal with pests in specific areas.

26. Deferred maintenance

Maintenance tasks usually aren’t a glamorous way to spend money. For instance, having your furnace checked, draining your water heater or having your roof inspected feel like unnecessary costs when there’s very little immediate return. But deferring maintenance is a risky game—a huge repair could be on the horizon if you don’t take care of little problems over time. While it may feel like a waste to put a bit of money into your car or house, the real waste is spending thousands or tens of thousands of dollars after a catastrophic breakdown.

What to do: Set up a maintenance schedule for any valuable property you own, like a house and a car, and set aside $1 per square foot each year for inevitable repairs or replacements down the road.

27. Lawn and yard services

Hiring out the lawn and garden can feel like a quick win to get some time back. Unfortunately, the cost of yard maintenance can quickly get out of control. Plus, doing yard work can be quite relaxing and even good for your health. Livestrong estimates that an hour of mowing or gardening can burn up to 400 calories, so you may be able to save yourself money and a trip to the gym with a weekly yard work routine.

What to do: If you’re physically able, save on the recurring yard work charges by grabbing your rake and mower for some quality time in the garden.

28. Luxurious timeshares

A timeshare provides joint ownership of a vacation property, and the allure of having a resort destination at your beck and call is enticing for many people. But there’s a reason that most timeshares are sold in high-pressure pitches while people are on vacation: that’s not when you’re making your best financial decisions. Timeshares generally don’t appreciate in value, and most also include yearly maintenance fees.

What to do: Skip timeshares entirely and keep your flexibility by staying in a hotel, hostel or bed and breakfast—they’ll often cost less, too.

So there you have it: a long list of ways to save money by wasting less. While everyone’s financial situation is different, almost all of us waste money in one way or another. Taking some time to review your budget and recent transactions could help you reevaluate your spending—and in turn reclaim some cash for a new project, a dream vacation or an important purchase.

29. Avoidable fees

Some fees are unavoidable, but others you should work to avoid. Retirement account maintenance fees are especially damaging, since the Department of Labor estimates that even increasing fees from 0.5 percent to just 1.5 percent could result in a 28 percent decrease in your eventual retirement savings.

What to do: Don’t accept financial fees as the cost of doing business. If necessary, move your money or your investments if it means saving money over the long haul.

Reviewed by Anthony Moore, Credit Consultant and Trainer at CreditRepair.com.

Anthony Moore started working for CreditRepair.com November of 2016. Anthony Moore started as a credit advisor, and quickly advanced to to helping members get caught up on their overdue payments. In addition to reviewing and writing content for CreditRepair.com, Anthony assists other credit advisors with approvals and supports the credit repair process.

Note: The information provided on CreditRepair.com does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only.

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