Wasting Money: 17 Things We're Mindlessly Spending Money On (PHOTOS)

The Huffington Post Canada  |  By Posted: Updated: 05/14/2012 11:06 am

If your weekend outings include last-minute city parking spots, overpriced drinks at bars or a few dollars wasted on ATM transactions, just remember, every little dime adds up.

"The typical Canadian has no idea how much money they spend," says Geoffrey Morgan, spokesperson for online money management website Mint.com. "Our users tell us they spend a lot of money eating out. [When users track expenses] at least 90 per cent of people change their financial habits and the biggest chunk, 50 per cent, spend less money eating out," he says.

So all those morning bagels and $10 sandwich combos are definitely taking their toll. Spending $10 a day on lunch can add up to $2,600 a year, while spending $2.75 on your favourite coffee can cost you $1,300 a year. When you look at the bigger number, your coffee probably doesn't taste as good.

And if you're worried about overspending, you should be. Since last year, the average Canadian household had $11 less spending power per month in February 2012, according to a recent study by Walmart Canada. The study, however, also found that Atlantic provinces, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia saw an increase in spending power.

Story continues below: Buying lunch everyday? Buying 99 cent apps? How much is this costing you? We did the math:

Loading Slideshow...
  • Lunch

    Forget that sandwich at home? No, you were probably just too lazy to make your own lunch again. Spending at least $10 a day on a tasty lunch will cost you $50 a week and $2,600 a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> You can buy a fridge full of food for that price. Scheduling out your weekly lunches will help you prepare in advance. If you just don't like mornings, prepare extra dinner for lunch the night before.

  • Bottled Drinks

    This is for anyone who's on the go and always ends up buying a bottle of water. A bottled drink for at least $2 will cost you $10 a week and $520 a year.<br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Don't be picky. There is nothing wrong with reusable water bottles and tap water. If you're really scared of your city's finest water offering, use a filter at home or leave one at the office.

  • Bets

    Just like our school days, but more expensive. People bet on anything from sports games to outcomes of reality television shows. If you're betting someone at least once a month at $10, it will cost you $120 for the year.<br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Bets are fun, but you have to know your limit. Try "friendly" bets or see if you can pay someone back with a treat or an embarrassing dare.

  • Birthday Cards

    It's always a good thing to remember someone's birthday, but you don't need to spend all that cash on birthday cards (or holiday, thank you and baby shower cards). Buying two cards at $6 a month will cost you $144 a year (and that's on the cheaper end of the scale). <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> You can always get crafty and make your own cards ... or save the planet and send an e-card. See, everyone wins.

  • Gum

    We all want minty fresh breath, but how many times have you overspent money on a pack of gum? Gum that costs $1.50 a week will cost you $70 in a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> In this case, quantity matters. Buy large packages of gum at Costco and the like -- you can save more buying five packs of gum at once as opposed to one at a time.

  • Magazines

    Magazines either give us an unique insight every month -- or sit decoratively on our coffee tables. Buying two magazines a month at $7 will cost you $168 a year.<br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Instead of buying single magazines each month, opt for subscriptions or hit the library.

  • Alcohol

    Most of us have probably been spending mindless dollars on alcohol since we've had our first cooler. And let's face it, when you're partying, the last thing you're doing is thinking about your bank balance. Spending at least $75 a week on alcohol will cost you $3,900 a year.<br><strong>TIPS:</strong> As tough as it sounds, if you want to save money on alcohol, you have to limit your spending habits. Try a get-together at your house -- this way you can avoid spending money on overpriced drinks and paying tips.

  • Apps

    Apps can be life's little helpers. They can find bus times and provide us with entertainment when we're bored -- but sometimes they're a waste of a dollar. If you buy one app a week for a dollar, it will cost you $52 a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Try free apps or demos, depending on your provider.

  • Breakfast

    Things just taste better when other people prepare them. Morning bagels, yogurts, and bacon and egg sandwiches may seem pretty cheap, but it can hurt your pockets in the long run. Spending $2 a day on bagels will cost you $520 a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Try eating breakfast at home or store milk and cereal at your office.

  • Cigarettes

    Smoking is different for everyone. It can relieve stress, fall under peer pressure or it's an old habit we can't seem to give up. Buying a $10 pack per week will cost you $520 a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Quitting is never easy, but tracking how often you smoke might help you cut down.

  • Coffee

    We all know those people who get cranky when they don't have their morning coffee. Yes, coffee can get addictive but it can also be pricey. If you spend at least $2.75 on a cup of joe a day, it will cost you $715 a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Try brewing your own coffee at work -- it will save you a ton of pocket change.

  • Covers

    Concerts, dance clubs and bar nights, what do they all have in common? They love charging us covers just to get in the front doors. Spending $30 a week on covers will cost you $1,560 a year.<br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Again, just track your spending habits -- maybe you don't have to accept every invite you get.

  • Parking

    It's a late night and you really don't feel like walking to the restaurant in your heels. Sound familiar? Paying extra cash for parking can cost you $1,040 a year, if you spend at least $20 a week. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Try finding zones that have free parking hours or just grab a bus.

  • Plastic Bags

    Some cities have started charging five cents for plastic bags, a smart way to make our communities more green. If you spend five cents a day on a bag for clothing items or groceries -- it's costing you $13 a year. Not much, but think about it, $13 on plastic! <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Go green! Buy a reusable bag.

  • Pay-Per-View

    Oh hey, that movie you've always wanted to see but never really wanted to spend the money on is now showing on pay-per-view. This is the kind of thinking that's still costing us tons. Spending $6 a week on movies that you are only somewhat interested in will cost you $312 a year.<br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Renting movies at most video stores is still cheaper, or try finding alternative ways to make family time at home.

  • Transit

    How many times have you paid the full fee for the bus because you didn't expect to have to take it, but then you were utterly late for your appointment? Spending (an average of) $2.50 a day for a bus will cost you $1,300 a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong>If you can, bike or walk when you need to get somewhere. If you need to use the bus, figure out if buying a monthly pass is worth it.

  • Vending Machines

    Most offices have them -- they stare at us and tempt us to insert our pocket change. Spending $1.50 (which seems harmless) on chips or candy will cost you $390 a year. <br><strong>TIPS:</strong> Avoid the temptation, bring snacks from home.

TEXT VERSION OF SLIDESHOW HERE

Breaking bad spending habits can be difficult but not impossible, says Cynthia J. Kett, chartered accountant and certified financial planner of Stewart & Kett Financial Advisors Inc. in Toronto.

"Set yourself a weekly cash allowance, based on the items that you spend cash on regularly and that you consider a weekly priority. When you’re out of cash, you’re out! You’ve spent money on something that wasn’t a priority," she says.

Kett also recommends to ditch the car, buy transit passes and make sure you're debt-free before you spend money on yourself. "Instead of daily coffee, breakfasts and lunches, plan a special weekly meal with a favourite person. Also, home-created meals are generally healthier and more appealing than most fast food alternatives. Maybe you’ll become a foodie," she says.

SLIDESHOW TEXT VERSION:

Lunch
Forget that sandwich at home? No, you were probably just too lazy to make your own lunch again. Spending at least $10 a day on a tasty lunch will cost you $50 a week and $2,600 a year.
TIPS: You can buy a fridge full of food for that price. Scheduling out your weekly lunches will help you prepare in advance. If you just don't like mornings, prepare extra dinner for lunch the night before.

Bottled Drinks
This is for anyone who's on the go and always ends up buying a bottle of water. A bottled drink for at least $2 will cost you $10 a week and $520 a year.
TIPS: Don't be picky. There is nothing wrong with reusable water bottles and tap water. If you're really scared of your city's finest water offering, use a filter at home or leave one at the office.

Bets
Just like our school days, but more expensive. People bet on anything from sports games to outcomes of reality television shows. If you're betting someone at least once a month at $10, it will cost you $120 for the year.
TIPS: Bets are fun, but you have to know your limit. Try "friendly" bets or see if you can pay someone back with a treat or an embarrassing dare.

Birthday Cards
It's always a good thing to remember someone's birthday, but you don't need to spend all that cash on birthday cards (or holiday, thank you and baby shower cards). Buying two cards at $6 a month will cost you $144 a year (and that's on the cheaper end of the scale).
TIPS: You can always get crafty and make your own cards ... or save the planet and send an e-card. See, everyone wins.

Gum
We all want minty fresh breath, but how many times have you overspent money on a pack of gum? Gum that costs $1.50 a week will cost you $70 in a year.
TIPS: In this case, quantity matters. Buy large packages of gum at Costco and the like -- you can save more buying five packs of gum at once as opposed to one at a time.

Magazines
Magazines either give us an unique insight every month -- or sit decoratively on our coffee tables. Buying two magazines a month at $7 will cost you $168 a year.
TIPS: Instead of buying single magazines each month, opt for subscriptions or hit the library.

Alcohol
Most of us have probably been spending mindless dollars on alcohol since we've had our first cooler. And let's face it, when you're partying, the last thing you're doing is thinking about your bank balance. Spending at least $75 a week on alcohol will cost you $3,900 a year.
TIPS: As tough as it sounds, if you want to save money on alcohol, you have to limit your spending habits. Try a get-together at your house -- this way you can avoid spending money on overpriced drinks and paying tips.

Apps
Apps can be life's little helpers. They can find bus times and provide us with entertainment when we're bored -- but sometimes they're a waste of a dollar. If you buy one app a week for a dollar, it will cost you $52 a year.
TIPS: Try free apps or demos, depending on your provider.

Breakfast
Things just taste better when other people prepare them. Morning bagels, yogurts, and bacon and egg sandwiches may seem pretty cheap, but it can hurt your pockets in the long run. Spending $2 a day on bagels will cost you $520 a year.
TIPS: Try eating breakfast at home or store milk and cereal at your office.

Smoking
Smoking is different for everyone. It can relieve stress, fall under peer pressure or it's an old habit we can't seem to give up. Buying a $10 pack per week will cost you $520 a year.
TIPS: Quitting is never easy, but tracking how often you smoke might help you cut down.

Coffee
We all know those people who get cranky when they don't have their morning coffee. Yes, coffee can get addictive but it can also be pricey. If you spend at least $2.75 on a cup of joe a day, it will cost you $715 a year.
TIPS: Try brewing your own coffee at work -- it will save you a ton of pocket change.

Covers
Concerts, dance clubs and bar nights, what do they all have in common? They love charging us covers just to get in the front doors. Spending $30 a week on covers will cost you $1,560 a year.
TIPS: Again, just track your spending habits -- maybe you don't have to accept every invite you get.

Parking
It's a late night and you really don't feel like walking to the restaurant in your heels. Sound familiar? Paying extra cash for parking can cost you $1,040 a year, if you spend at least $20 a week.
TIPS: Try finding zones that have free parking hours or just grab a bus.

Plastic Bags
Some cities have started charging five cents for plastic bags, a smart way to make our communities more green. If you spend five cents a day on a bag for clothing items or groceries -- it's costing you $13 a year. Not much, but think about it, $13 on plastic!
TIPS: Go green! Buy a reusable bag.

Pay-Per-View
Oh hey, that movie you've always wanted to see but never really wanted to spend the money on is now showing on pay-per-view. This is the kind of thinking that's still costing us tons. Spending $6 a week on movies that you are only somewhat interested in will cost you $312 a year.
TIPS: Renting movies at most video stores is still cheaper, or try finding alternative ways to make family time at home.

Transit
How many times have you paid the full fee for the bus because you didn't expect to have to take it, but then you were utterly late for your appointment? Spending (an average of) $2.50 a day for a bus will cost you $1,300 a year.
TIPS:If you can, bike or walk when you need to get somewhere. If you need to use the bus, figure out if buying a monthly pass is worth it.

Vending Machines
Most offices have them -- they stare at us and tempt us to insert our pocket change. Spending $1.50 (which seems harmless) on chips or candy will cost you $390 a year.
TIPS: Avoid the temptation, bring snacks from home.

Related on HuffPost:

FOLLOW CANADA LIVING

If your weekend outings include last-minute city parking spots, overpriced drinks at bars or a few dollars wasted on ATM transactions, just remember, every little dime adds up. "The typical Canadia...
If your weekend outings include last-minute city parking spots, overpriced drinks at bars or a few dollars wasted on ATM transactions, just remember, every little dime adds up. "The typical Canadia...
 
 
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10:34 AM on 05/18/2012
So basically, a lot of money can be saved if you go nowhere and do nothing.
photo
butchcliff
The future is unwritten
05:08 AM on 05/16/2012
Jars to keep my coinage in
12:02 PM on 05/15/2012
I was spending $12,000 a year in shower caps because I insisted on having a new one every time I showered (I often shower 4 times a day.) Fortunately, I've managed to get the habit down to around $9,000 by stealing them from hotels and going to a shower cap 12 step program.
11:25 AM on 05/15/2012
I don't buy any of these items, I guess that's why I'm semi rich.
08:59 AM on 05/15/2012
The article says to not pay for parking by taking the bus but then says you waste money on taking the bus.
You can't have it both ways!
08:58 AM on 05/15/2012
I cannot believe that you made purchasing coffee/week more expensive than cigarettes. How many smokers do you know who smoke a pack a week? How about $10/day = $3650/year. Be realistic!

Also are you suggesting that public transit (even though you only say transit, you infer public transit by showing a bus) is a less economical way of transit, than owning/leasing/insuring a car...this is a waste of money? why not make the tip: by a bus pass and get rid of your car...save hundreds per month (I know this is not a realistic or viable option for many people.cities, etc).

I found some of your tips great but others just outright annoying. A lot of the slides/tips also do not take into consideration that you still have to spend $$ on some of those "tasks" ie. breakfast, lunch...still gotta eat. True costs would have been more beneficial.
07:35 AM on 05/15/2012
I've walked away from tending purchases at Zeller's, Zehr's and Shopper's Drug Mart because of the 5 cent bag charge. If I buy merchandise, stores should be providing me a bag. I don't care if it's a bio-degradable plastic bag, a paper bag or a non-bio-degradable bag - I don't give two shizzles about the "damage" my bags are allegedly doing to the environment. These stores are losing out on business by sticking an "Environmental Fee" on the consumer. If you want to target environmental abuses, start with coal-fire plants, diesel big rigs and corporate polluters and pretty much every "emerging economy". STOP STICKING IT TO THE AVERAGE SCHMUCK.
09:03 AM on 05/15/2012
I don't know where you live, but in the city of Toronto, it's law. The stores cannot give you a bag for free. So suck it up!
05:12 PM on 05/15/2012
It's NOT law where I live so why should I have to pay a nickel a bag?
I told the manager at Zeller's - Wal Mart doesn't charge for bags and since Zeller's does, as far as I'm concerned, they've forced me to shop at the 'Mart now. Until Zeller's starts taking care of their customers, I can happily spend my money at places that do take care of me. You go ahead and pay the five cents per bag. If I were in T.O., I'd be voting against the bums that passed that law. So suck THAT up !
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nanaofmysky
Adopt from a rescue or shelter.
07:29 AM on 05/15/2012
I use the bus daily. It is $2.55 each trip. I buy a passs at $87 a month which makes it the best buy. To use it 2x'sa day for 5 days is $25.50 or $ 102 a month. A savings of $15. Of course I use it alot more than that. And $75 a week on booze? These people need serious help. I used to buy only 1 coffee a day, now I make it and treat myself once a week by buying it. You can also save alot by making your own trail mix. The stuff you buy usually has unidentified strange things in them. Yuk!! When you make it it is fresher and you will not be throwing part of it out. I make it without any salt. Better for you. .Just store in an airtight container. As for plastic bags, people are going to buy them no matter what. I have reusable ones, have for years. This 5 cent charge was supposed to cut down on the use. Did not happen. Go back to paper bags.
09:04 AM on 05/15/2012
Actually, in the City of Toronto, plastic bag fees have reduced the number of plastic bags used by more than half. That's MILLIONS of bags not ending up in land fills. So it does work.
01:04 PM on 05/15/2012
I make my own trail mix every week. I get on my bike, go to bulk barn and spend between $6-$10. It lasts me about 7 days and stops me from buying chips after work
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nanaofmysky
Adopt from a rescue or shelter.
01:51 PM on 05/15/2012
i do not like bulk food places. Maybe I am peranoid but I can not get past the fact that people put their hands into the bins. I take it to work also. This way I can eat something while working. I generaly do not get breaks. I like to make it because I do not need to have things in it that is only going to get tossed in the garbage. My co workers like it to.
07:28 AM on 05/15/2012
Very disappointed that you included public transit in a list of largely avoidable or frivolous items. Public transit is generally considered a socially responsible and ECONOMICAL alternative for getting around. In a large city, walking or cycling are perhaps better for one's health, but it is not a realistic option for most people.
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nanaofmysky
Adopt from a rescue or shelter.
07:31 AM on 05/15/2012
Yes,and can be dangerous too. Like your post. Let me be your first fan. f&f
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lilkitten22
Be the change that you wish to see in the world
07:59 PM on 05/14/2012
many of those prices are wrong..
06:08 PM on 05/14/2012
Yeah, pay-per-view is a waste of money but so are all those channels, that cable forces on you, that no one ever watches a waste of money.
The people who compile these lists do understand that, although these items do add up, if we don't buy things from people then the capitalist world will collapse? Right?
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Opus Fideo
Atheist. Social Democrat. Canadian.
04:34 PM on 05/14/2012
How many people spend $75/week on alcohol?? somebody's got a drinking problem....
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
oxjr
12:33 AM on 05/15/2012
That is like three decent BOTTLES of wine - that is crazy. Maybe they are factoring in the total cost of going to a hot night club - coat check, tips, cover, the penicillin prescription.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Young Contrarian
01:00 PM on 05/14/2012
Some curiously 'mindless' expense categories in this article.
11:56 AM on 05/14/2012
Lol, bus transit. I got rid of my car and it saved me about $8K a year easy. They should have used that as the benchmark.