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Today we have a super fun article, written by S&S reader, Becca. She wants to help us all be less stupid with money 🙂  

We love her strong opinions and would also love to hear counterpoints from our other readers. Anyone want to defend your spending? Leave it in the comments!

4 Stupid Things You’re Wasting Money On

If someone were to ask you what you wanted to be when you were older and you replied with, “rich!”, they would think you were a bit shallow and lost and whatnot. But let’s get real for a minute: there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be rich. Nothing.

What’s more, everyone wants to be rich, whether they’re open about it or not. It’s what lets you go to Disneyworld for a fortnight and not just a weekend, or buy your friends two rounds at the bar instead of one, and get a VIP pass to Coachella.

The problem is, all too many people think becoming rich means making a ton of money. Sure, this helps, but half the battle is knowing how to save and spend your money a little bit better too. That’s why we’re completely amazed that people (um, us included!) waste their money on such foolish things and in such foolish ways.

To help you avoid these things, we’ve made a list of them. We’re martyrs like that.

1. Fast Food Is Foolish

There is nothing good about spending money on fast food.

First off, it’s so bad for your body. You’ll probably end up packing on some weight. And that will mean you have to start going to the gym, which is expensive. Or you don’t go to the gym, and you pay the price through the higher medical costs of obesity.

Secondly, fast food is not that cheap. It isn’t.

And thirdly, there are so many delicious meals you can make in fifteen minutes, which solves the short-on-time issue. Just scan Pinterest!

2. Brand Names Are Bad

Anyone still buying brand name grocery products is wasting their money. Not only do they cost a pointless premium, but brand names very rarely taste better than own brand products (Heinz ketchup, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, and Branston Pickle are about the only exceptions).

It’s such a simple switch to make and it will save you at least 30% off your grocery bill in an instant.

3. DIY Is A Disaster

Okay, so that’s a bit of a generalization because there are some DIY moments that can save you big bucks.

That said, there are so many DIY mistakes that can lead to a way bigger financial headache.

Instead of trying to do your taxes yourself, boost your chances of saving money by using one of your local tax preparation services. Instead of trying to replace the gearbox on your car, take it to a qualified mechanic so that you don’t create a costly deathtrap. And instead of trying to make your home open-plan, bring in a contractor so that you don’t knock down a weight-bearing wall.

It’s just not worth the risk.

4. Cable Is Costly

One of the hardest things for anyone to give up is their cable package, and we get it. But we’ve never come across anyone that’s made the plunge and then gone back to having cable. No one.

Instead of paying $99 a month for a million TV channels you don’t care about, just get Netflix & Hulu, for a combined sum of $15. And then kick back and watch the things you really care about watching. It’s so simple.