Sometimes, we cannot help but buy something during a great sale, like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. However, before you pick up that new online subscription or glamping gear, please take a second to think about it! These are some of the top items that many purchases each year but never end up using…
Online Subscriptions
These days, there are websites, web series, and more for just about every hobby and interest imaginable. From premium film streaming services that let you watch foreign films to genealogy sites that help you make a family tree, there’s no shortage of online subscriptions that want your credit card information.
However, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your monthly bills and start asking yourself the hard questions: are you still learning Spanish or reading that online-only hometown news site? It might be time to cancel those subscriptions. So, take a good hard look at your monthly subscription bill. Keep the ones you use and cancel the ones you don’t – you’re sure to save some serious cash!
Extended Warranties
So, you’ve finally narrowed down a major purchase for your home. However, one question remains: should you pick up that extended warranty? Well, generally, the answer is no. According to Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson typically, “extended warranties cost more than they’re worth.” However, Johnson does say that, for items that are particularly fragile and complex, the extended warranty might actually be worth it.
So, for items like new household appliances, like the oven or washing machine, it’s probably okay to skip the extended warranty. But, for things like a refrigerator with an ice machine, which will receive lots of use, it might be a good idea to pick one up.
Home Exercise Equipment
So, you’re thinking of buying an exercise bike or treadmill. After all, if you live in a place with snowy winters, rainy springs, or both, it can seem impossible to make it outside each day to work out. But, at the end of the day, you should probably hold off. After all, almost all home exercise equipment ends up in the closet, hogging up space as a glorified clothes rack.
If you really think you’re going to use that expensive home exercise equipment and are set on buying it, here’s a little advice: buy used! That way, you can test the waters without having to drop down thousands of dollars.
Planners
Every year plenty of people pick up a planner during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. And can you blame them? With fancy lettering and spaces for daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, it seems like the perfect way to make sure that you never miss a deadline or important meeting. However, there’s only one problem: most people use electronic methods to keep track of their appointments and errands.
So, many that buy planners end up ditching them after a few weeks or months, instead opting for Google Calendar, Apple alerts, and the like to keep track of everything. After all, who can actually find a pen and their planner when they need to jot something down? It’s much easier to open Google Drive or a notes program on your phone or computer!
This holiday season, try not to splurge on items that will just end up in the trash bin, unused in a few months. You’ll be much happier in the new year!