I still remember the exact moment I realized I’d been paying for something I could have gotten for free for years. I was standing at an ATM, staring at the $3.50 fee screen, and I thought… “I’ve done this at least twice a month for five years.”
That’s over $400. For access to my own money.
I felt sick. But also? Empowered. Because once you start seeing these hidden “just a few dollars” expenses for what they really are—death by a thousand cuts—you can’t unsee them.
So let me save you from my mistakes. Here are 16 things you should absolutely never pay for again.
Table of Contents
- 1. Bottled Water at Restaurants
- 2. ATM Fees (Especially the Sneaky Ones)
- 3. Grocery Bags (Just Keep Them in Your Car)
- 4. Extended Warranties (They’re a Scam)
- 5. Cable TV (Cut the Cord Already)
- 6. Credit Reports (You Get Three Free Ones Every Year)
- 7. Birthday Freebies (Sign Up Early)
- 8. Checked Baggage Fees (Pack Lighter)
- 9. Gym Memberships You Don’t Use
- 10. Books and Magazines (Your Library Is Amazing)
- 11. Bank Account Fees (Switch Banks)
- 12. Software and Apps (Free Alternatives Exist)
- 13. Shipping Fees (Use Pickup or Buy Smarter)
- 14. Kids’ Entertainment (Free Events Are Everywhere)
- 15. Basic Home Repairs (YouTube Is Your Friend)
- 16. Greeting Cards (Make Your Own)
1. Bottled Water at Restaurants
I used to feel awkward asking for tap water. Like I was being cheap in front of friends or a date. So I’d order sparkling or bottled and pay $4 for something that costs less than a penny.
Then one day, I just… asked. “Tap water is fine, thanks.” The waiter didn’t blink. My friends didn’t care. And I saved $4 in five seconds.
Most restaurants use filtered water anyway. It’s safe, it’s free, and nobody is judging you for ordering it.
Smart swap: “I’ll have water—tap is perfect.” Practice it once. It gets easier.
2. ATM Fees (Especially the Sneaky Ones)
That $3.50 fee feels small. But if you withdraw cash twice a week from out-of-network ATMs? That’s $28 a month. Over $300 a year. For nothing.
I fixed this by switching to a bank that reimburses ATM fees. But even without that, you can plan ahead. Withdraw larger amounts less often. Get cash back at the grocery store. Or just… use your bank’s ATM.
Smart swap: Next time you’re at the grocery store, get $40 cash back. Zero fee. Takes ten extra seconds.
3. Grocery Bags (Just Keep Them in Your Car)
My city charges 10 cents per plastic bag. That doesn’t sound like much until you realize you’re paying an extra $1–2 every single grocery trip. For bags. That you throw away.
I bought six reusable bags for $10 about four years ago. I’ve saved hundreds since then. The trick? Keep them in your car. Not by your front door. Not in the hall closet. In the car. That way they’re always there when you need them.
If you want to cut down your food costs even further, check out our favorite ways to save money on groceries.
Smart swap: Walk to your car right now and put three reusable bags in your trunk. Done.
4. Extended Warranties (They’re a Scam)
“For just $19 more, you can protect your purchase for two full years!” Sound familiar? I’ve fallen for this more times than I’d like to admit.
Here’s what I learned: most products already come with a manufacturer’s warranty. And many credit cards automatically extend that warranty for free when you use them to pay. You’re probably already covered.
Plus, extended warranties are pure profit for stores. If they were a good deal for you, they wouldn’t push them so hard.
Smart swap: Next time you buy something expensive, check your credit card’s benefits first. You might already have protection.
5. Cable TV (Cut the Cord Already)
My parents still pay $140 a month for cable. They watch maybe four channels. Meanwhile, I pay $15 for two streaming services and watch exactly what I want, when I want.
And if you really want free? Pluto TV, Tubi, and Peacock have free tiers. Your library might lend DVDs or offer free streaming through apps like Kanopy. Hundreds of hours of content. Zero dollars.
Smart swap: Calculate your monthly cable bill times 12. Then Google “free streaming services.” Make the switch this week.
6. Credit Reports (You Get Three Free Ones Every Year)
I once paid $15 for a credit report because I didn’t know any better. That’s $15 for something I was legally entitled to for free.
The government mandates that you can get one free report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus. That’s three free reports. Every year. Use them.
Just make sure you go to the official site. There are scammy lookalikes that try to charge you.
Smart swap: Go to AnnualCreditReport.com right now. Request your free reports. Put a reminder on your calendar to do it again next year.
7. Birthday Freebies (Sign Up Early)
My birthday is my favorite day of the year. Not because I love getting older, but because I love getting free stuff.
Starbucks gives you a free drink. Sephora gives you a free gift. Denny’s gives you a free Grand Slam. Local coffee shops, ice cream places, and even some retail stores all have birthday freebies.
For year-round perks, you can also learn how to score free Starbucks drinks weekly.
The secret? Sign up for their loyalty programs a month before your birthday. Then just… show up. It’s like a scavenger hunt, and the prize is free food.
Smart swap: Take five minutes and Google “birthday freebies [your city].” Sign up for the ones you like. Future you will be so happy.
8. Checked Baggage Fees (Pack Lighter)
Airlines charge $30–40 each way for checked bags. That’s $80 round trip. For one bag. For one person. Multiply that by a family of four, and you’ve just paid $320 to not carry your own suitcase.
I learned to pack in a carry-on for trips up to two weeks. Roll your clothes. Wear your bulkiest items on the plane. Use packing cubes. It’s not hard once you get the hang of it.
Smart swap: Before your next flight, try packing everything into a carry-on. If it fits, you just saved $80.
9. Gym Memberships You Don’t Use
I paid for a gym membership for 14 months during the pandemic. I went exactly zero times. Zero. That was over $500 down the drain.
If you haven’t gone in two weeks, cancel. You can work out at home for free. YouTube has endless yoga, HIIT, and strength training videos. Or just walk outside. Your body doesn’t care if you’re in a fancy building.
Smart swap: Check your bank statement. When’s the last time you actually used that gym membership? If it’s been more than a month, cancel today.
10. Books and Magazines (Your Library Is Amazing)
I used to spend $50–100 a month on books. Then I discovered the Libby app. It connects to my library card and gives me free e-books and audiobooks. On my phone. Instantly.
Most libraries also have digital magazines, movies, and even streaming services. All free. All legal. All funded by your tax dollars—so you might as well use them.
Smart swap: Download the Libby app. Enter your library card number. Start borrowing books tonight. For free.
11. Bank Account Fees (Switch Banks)
Monthly maintenance fees. Minimum balance fees. Paper statement fees. Some banks charge you just for the privilege of giving them your money to lend out to other people.
There are so many free online banks now—Ally, Capital One 360, SoFi, even some local credit unions. No fees. No minimums. Often higher interest rates. There’s no reason to pay a bank to hold your money.
To keep better track of these savings without paying a dime, try using one of these free budgeting apps.
Smart swap: Look at your last bank statement. Did they charge you any fees? If yes, open a free online account this week and start the switch.
12. Software and Apps (Free Alternatives Exist)
Need a photo editor? Canva and Photopea are free. Need word processing? Google Docs is free. Need video editing? DaVinci Resolve is free and professional-grade.
I paid for Microsoft Office for years before realizing Google Docs does everything I need. Same with Photoshop—Photopea is basically the same thing.
Before you buy software, Google “free alternative to [software name].” You’ll be shocked how many options exist.
Smart swap: Make a list of paid software you use. Search for free alternatives this week. Try one. You probably won’t go back.
13. Shipping Fees (Use Pickup or Buy Smarter)
I’ve paid $7 for shipping on a $12 item. That’s a 60% markup just to have it arrive two days faster.
Most stores offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount. Sometimes adding a $3 item to hit the threshold is cheaper than paying $8 for shipping. Or use in-store pickup—you still order online, but you grab it at the store for free.
Smart swap: Before you check out, look for “free in-store pickup” options. And check if you’re $5 away from free shipping—add something small if it saves you money.
14. Kids’ Entertainment (Free Events Are Everywhere)
I have two kids. Entertainment costs can spiral fast. But I’ve learned that free is often more fun.
Local libraries have storytimes, craft days, and even summer reading programs with prizes. Parks have splash pads and playgrounds. Museums often have free days once a month. Community centers host holiday events.
Check your town’s Facebook groups or Parks and Rec department calendar. You’ll find something free almost every weekend.
Smart swap: Search “[your town] free family events” right now. Pick one for this weekend. Go. Have fun. Spend nothing.
15. Basic Home Repairs (YouTube Is Your Friend)
I once paid a handyman $150 to unclog a drain. Then I watched a 4-minute YouTube video and realized I could have done it myself with a $5 tool.
Now I try everything myself first. Unclogging drains. Fixing a running toilet. Patching a small hole in drywall. Replacing a light fixture. If it won’t electrocute me or flood my house, I give it a shot.
YouTube has a tutorial for literally everything. Some communities even have tool libraries where you can borrow equipment for free.
Smart swap: Next time something small breaks, search “[problem] DIY fix” on YouTube before you call anyone. You might surprise yourself.
16. Greeting Cards (Make Your Own)
I stood in a card aisle recently and saw a simple “Happy Birthday” card for $7. Seven dollars! For paper with a sentence on it!
Now I make my own. A pack of blank cards is $5 for 20. I write a personal message inside. Sometimes I add a silly drawing. It takes two minutes and means so much more than a store-bought card.
Or just… send a text. Or make a phone call. The sentiment matters more than the cardstock.
Smart swap: Next time you need a card, grab a piece of paper. Write a sincere message. Fold it. That’s a card. Cost: zero. Meaning: infinite.
Look, I’m not saying you should never spend money on anything fun or convenient. But these 16 things? They’re not adding value to your life. They’re just quietly draining your bank account while you’re not looking.
Pick three from this list to tackle this month. Just three. Cut them out. Watch your savings grow. And then enjoy spending that money on something that actually matters to you.
To keep the momentum going, explore our list of things to stop buying to save money.
Now go cancel that gym membership you never use. Future you is already high-fiving you.
