8 Things You're Definitely Spending WAY Too Money On Every Month
How much do you think you spend on nonessentials? On average, Americans spend nearly $18,000 a year on nonessentials. If that sounds like a lot of money, it's because it is. Over time seemingly small splurges, like $5 here and $7 there, add up.
The money you impulsively spend could be put to better use. Often, we don't recognize how much we're spending because it's easy to swipe your card and not think about your declining bank account. You may have to put in extra work to cut back, but it's possible when you identify the ways you're overspending.
1.Coffee
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Coffee gives most adults that boost of energy to help get them through the day. Buying a daily dose of caffeine can easily become a costly habit. The few dollars spent on that delicious latte can really add up without you taking any notice. Spending four dollars a day on coffee can add up to $28 dollars a week and that's $112 per month. By the end of the year, you could save $1,344 by cutting back on your coffee habits. Making your coffee at home in a travel mug is more cost-efficient than spending money at a coffeehouse to get your daily fix.
2.Food Delivery
Takeout is on the rise, especially with the addition of food delivery services. Research showed 47 percent of respondents feel they overspend on takeout and 52 percent are usually hit by guilt after doing so. Everyday there's a new app that will personally deliver your favorite eats to your door, but not without added fees. The convenience of takeout comes at a price. It might be better for your wallet to personally pick up your food to avoid any extra fees and to prepare homemade meals.
3.Ride Sharing
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Everybody's using ride sharing apps these days because it's so convenient and hassle-free, but frequent use of ride sharing apps can ruin your attempts at saving money. The amount of money you can save on transportation by using public transportation or driving your own car is astronomical.
4.Cable
These days, it's possible to stay in the know about trending shows and movies without even paying for cable. The options to replace your cable bill with a streaming bill continue to grow by the day. Most people don't watch every single channel in their cable package anyways. If you find yourself watching less and less cable, then it may be time to ditch it all together.
5.Subscription Services
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In the US, consumers subscribe to three subscription services on average and 34% of respondents plan on subscribing to more services within two years. Subscription services are popping up everywhere and it's tempting to sign-up for every single one that sparks your interest. When you sign-up, the rate seems like a steal because it's just $10 a month, but this adds up throughout the year. Sit down, and add up the annual amount you're paying for subscription services and it may surprise you. Oftentimes, we are subscribed to services we don't even use.
6.Buying Lunch
Making your lunch everyday will save you money and probably help you to eat healthier. Let's be honest, eating healthy can be more costly than eating cheap processed food. It's cheaper to make healthy food at home, so you don't have to buy an easily overpriced salad. Spending over $10 a day on lunch for five days of the week is $50 per week. You work hard for your money, there's no point in eating it away.
7.Gym Memberships
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It seems like there's a gym around every corner with a plethora of amenities and features. A gym membership is a great investment in your health and wellness, but do you need an expensive membership when you only use a few machines? Also, if you signed up for a gym membership during the new year and you haven't used it in months, then it might be time to cut your membership.
8.Dining Out
Americans spend an average of $209.38 on restaurants per month. Restaurants are the number one luxury Americans choose to splurge on. It's not because the food is simply amazing, it's also the social component. People like to get together Saturday nights with their friends and family and forget about their worries, but this can come at a cost. If you can limit your dining experiences, then you'll be sure to have more money by the end of the month. Think about hosting dinners at your home by cooking or having guests come together to have a potluck.
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Aaliyah Sydonie Williams is a lover of pomegranates, intimate concerts, fluffy socks and all things R&B. She's a founder of a college advice blog, Her Little Corner, where she dishes helpful advice for college students to slay their college experience. When Aaliyah isn't eating at Starbucks, she's studying for her courses in finance, discovering new spots in the city, and brushing up on her photography skills. Keep up with her at Aaliyah Williams (@aaliyahsydonie).
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Larenz Tate Recalls Meeting His Wife After Being Jamie Foxx's Wingman At A Party
Veteran actor Larenz Tate recently revealed the unlikely and heartwarming way he met his wife, Tomasina Tate, with the assistance of his longtime friend, Jamie Foxx.
The couple, who live a relatively private life aside from occasionally attending some red-carpet events, have been together for over two decades and share four sons, Miles, Zander, and Zion Tate. The identity of Larenz and Tomasina's fourth son hasn’t been publicly released.
In an interview with Buzzfeed's Cocoa Butter, the 47-year-old shared that he met Tomasina in 2000 when Jamie was throwing a party in Oakland, California, for NBA All-Star Weekend. During the June discussion, Larenz disclosed that at the event, Jamie was set to link up with a woman he invited to the party and needed a wingman because she brought a friend, which happened to be Tomasina.
Although the Love Jones star was initially apprehensive, he decided to speak to Tomasina. The pair got along so well that they exchanged numbers at the end of the night, and the rest is history.
"Jamie had a party, there was someone he was going to meet that he invited, and she had a friend. Foxx was like, 'Look, I need you to be a wingman and entertain her.' I was like, 'Bro, I ain't your wingman knock it off,'" he said. "That friend would ultimately become the person that I spend my life journey with as my wife. Twenty-three years ago."
In honor of Larenz and Tomasina's love story and 23-year romance, xoNecole looks back at the important events that occurred in their lives since they met that fateful day at Jamie's party and how they have maintained their loving bond over the years.
Relationship Timeline
2000
In 2000, Larenz and Tomasina met at Jamie Foxx's All-Star Party in Oakland, California. The couple began dating shortly after exchanging information and frequently seeing each other whenever Tomasina was in town.
2006
After six years of dating, the couple welcomed their first son Miles Tate in July 2006. Four months later, Larenz and Tomasina officially tied the knot on November 30, 2006.
2008
In 2008, the Tates expanded their family once again following the birth of their second son Zander Tate in June 2008.
2013
Larenz and Tomasina welcomed their third son Zion Tate in 2013. Although there are limited details regarding Zion's official date of birth, many outlets report that he was allegedly born in November of that year.
2016
In 2016, the couple reached a milestone in their relationship as they commemorated their tenth wedding anniversary.
2018
Nearly two years following the joyous occasion, Larenz and Tomasina's love appears to be still going strong because in August 2018, their close friend Kristen Bellamy, wife to comedian Bill Bellamy, shared that the pair were expecting their fourth son. So far, Larenz and Tomasina's son's name and date of birth have yet to be released to the public.
Larenz On Maintaining His 23-Year Union With Tomasina
Although, for the most part, Larenz and Tomasina's relationship has been away from the spotlight to maintain their privacy, the Power star did share that showing affection is the secret to keeping their love alive after more than two decades.
In the same interview with Buzzfeed's Cocoa Butter, Larenz revealed one of the ways he expresses his love to Tomasina while talking to his sons about the importance of healthy relationships and how to implement them.
"I always talk to my kids about that. I say, 'Who's the most affectionate between me and mommy?' They're like, 'Ugh, dad,'" he stated.
"Because what I want them to see is that's something that's genuine. But I think it's important for them to see a man express hisself to a woman with emotion, love, and affection. So, you got to be affectionate to your lady. We're driving in the car, and we taking our kids to school. I might just tell her she's the sunshine no matter what."
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Feature image by Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for MACRO