As hard as you work to earn your money, it would be a shame to waste so much of it. Unfortunately, this is exactly what most Americans do. Without realizing it, the average household essentially throws away hundreds of dollars per month. But you can put an end to this madness by making smarter decisions with your wallet.

Stop Spending More Than You Have to on These Everyday Expenses

7 Ways to Start Saving

There’s a common misconception in the general public that only certain people can consistently save money. Sure, it’s theoretically easier to save when your paycheck is larger, but it’s rarely an income issue. In most instances, it’s a self-control and discipline issue.

If you’re having trouble saving money from month to month, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and draw up a plan. And as you look for ways to slash expenses and inflate your savings account, here are a few ideas worth implementing:

Get Out of Debt

Credit card and car debt is nothing more than a tax on the poor. If you want to guarantee that you’ll be cash poor for the rest of your life, continue to rack up credit card debt and buy expensive cars with high-interest loans. If you want to put your money to work for you, pay off your debt as quickly as possible. (Hint: This means paying more than the minimums each month.)

Cut the Cord

The average cable bill comes in around $107 per month. That’s approximately $1,300 per year. And considering that the average household watches less than 10 percent of the channels, you could probably cut the cord on cable and never know the difference. A streaming package from YouTube TV or Sling will give you plenty of channels at less than half the price.

Stop Eating Out

The quickest way to deplete your monthly budget is to eat out. Sure, fast food is convenient and restaurants are tasty, but they’re also way overpriced. You can buy your own ingredients from the grocery store and fix your own meals for a fraction of the price.

One person can save more than $1,500 per year by packing a lunch from home, as opposed to eating out during the workweek. Multiply that number by multiple people in the home and you’ll see just how much you can save.

Unsubscribe From Services

A few dollars here and a few dollars there isn’t a big problem. But when you add up all of the services you subscribe to – such as Spotify, Amazon Prime, subscription websites, lawn care, etc. – suddenly you’re spending a pretty big chunk of change on non-essential items. You don’t have to cancel everything, but be selective with what you sign up for.

Shop Around for Prescription Drugs

If you have prescription drugs that you fill every month, it would behoove you to shop around. In addition to shopping other pharmacies in your area, look into the possibility of buying from a Canadian pharmacy. Drug prices can be as much as 85 to 90 percent lower when purchase through one of these providers.

Leverage YouTube for Home Repairs

When it comes to simple fixes and repairs around the house, don’t immediately call up a professional. Instead, search the issue on YouTube. You’ll find that many fixes can be solved with the help of a video tutorial.

Wait Before You Buy

Online shopping is convenient, but have you ever paused to consider that it might be too convenient? Being able to purchase something with the click of a button can give root to impulsive decisions.

As a rule of thumb, wait at least 48 hours before purchasing something online. This buffer will give you time to think about whether or not you really want to buy an item. But do remember to do this while hiding your browsing history or else you may end up paying more for the same product.

Be Financially Savvy

As soon as you realize that personal finance is 90 percent mental, you’ll start to see new opportunities emerge. By making savvy decisions about how you spend and save, you can develop strong financial roots that benefit your family for generations to come. Make this the year that you step forward in faith and practice greater fiscal responsibility.