12 Things to Stop Buying When Money Gets Tight

Lighten your budget by cutting out these costs

Nicole Pajer,

AARP

Comments

Published April 16, 2026

icons symbolize everyday expenses you can cut if money is tight, including unused gym memberships, dining out and holiday gifts

AARP (Getty Images, 4)

Key takeaways

Inflation is the top financial concern for middle-income Americans.
Brand-name products, impulse purchases and premium cellphone plans could be straining your budget.
Extended warranties often aren’t worth the cost.

If things feel more expensive these days, it’s because they are. Between rising grocery bills, gas prices, insurance and utilities, many older adults are feeling the pinch. Factor in expenses for the sandwich generation — people who are supporting aging parents while also raising children or supporting adult children — and it’s hard not to have money on the brain.

According to an October 2025 CNO Financial Group survey, inflation is the top concern for middle-income Americans, followed by fears of outliving their money and cuts to Social Security. Credit card debt isn’t helping — over 40 percent of U.S. adults have some, with Generation X carrying an average balance of $9,600, the highest of any age group, according to data from credit bureau Experian.

The silver lining? Small changes in what you purchase can go a long way toward reducing your expenses. Cutting back on these 12 items can help you save money.

Premium gasoline (unless your car needs it)

If you’ve filled up your tank recently, you may have been shocked to see the total. The average price per gallon for regular gas hit $4.108 on April 15, up from $3.699 a month earlier, according to AAA. And that’s just for regular unleaded. A gallon of premium reached $4.986 a gallon on average. You don’t want to skimp on premium if your car is designed to run on it, but there’s no harm in using regular fuel otherwise, according to Consumer Reports. “Most drivers don’t actually need premium gas, even though some assume it’s better for their cars’ long-term durability,” says Mike LoCascio, regional service director of Kunes Auto Group, a dealership in Delavan, Wisconsin.

Check your owner’s manual or look inside your fuel door to see what type of gas your vehicle requires. “If it says ‘premium recommended’ rather than ‘premium required,’ you can use regular gas,” says LoCascio. “Chances are you won’t notice any difference” in performance, he says.

Gym memberships you aren’t using

That fancy gym or boutique sports club may have seemed like a good idea when you joined it at the start of the year, but if you’re not using it enough to justify the membership fee, it might be time to call it quits. Gym memberships typically cost $40 to $70 month, and fees at luxury gyms fees can run into the hundreds.

Canceling doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising, though. You can still prioritize working out at home and around your neighborhood. “Start with walking,” suggests Jon Jon Park, an international personal trainer based in Los Angeles. “It’s one of the most effective and accessible ways to improve heart health, build endurance and stay consistent, especially if you can walk or hike with a friend.”

If your budget allows, Park recommends buying inexpensive equipment like resistance bands, light dumbbells and an exercise mat to expand your workout routine.

Brand-name groceries and other products

Billboards, commercials, targeted ads on social media … We’re exposed to countless brand promotions. But name-brand products cost more than generic goods. In fact, prices for generic groceries are about 40 percent less than their brand-name counterparts, a 2023 CNET study of foods sold at Wegmans and Stop & Shop found.

If you’re new to buying generic, try tiptoeing in, suggests Kiki Jacobson, a licensed mental health therapist in Wilmington, North Carolina, who specializes in financial therapy. Start with something small, like switching from name-brand paper towels to a store brand.

“It can be helpful to try and build tolerance and confidence with this by starting with alternatives that are low-risk, allowing for gradual exposure to uncertainty,” she says.

In-store impulse purchases

If you find yourself reaching for things you didn’t go to a store for, you’re not alone. According to data from Capital One Shopping, 36 percent of Americans admit that most of their purchases are unplanned.

Consumers often make this mistake at the supermarket. To avoid it, take an inventory of what you have in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer before you shop.

“This supports purposeful buying rather than impulse buying, helps avoid duplicate purchases, reduces food waste, supports maximizing the value of money already spent on food and builds a use-what-you-have mindset,” says Jacobson.

You could also try ordering groceries online — with no physical aisles to wander, you’re less likely to make an impulse purchase.

Unused subscriptions you’re still paying for

Magazines and newspapers, streaming services and cloud storage platforms are just some of the subscriptions that people pay for but use little, if at all. More than 4 out of 5 Americans have at least one paid subscription they don’t use, according to a 2024 survey by financial technology company Self.

Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings adviser in Bakersfield, California, recommends compiling a list of all your subscriptions to see which ones you actually use. “Run a search in your email or use apps like TrueBill, which will help you find each subscription you’re signed up for that you may have forgotten about,” she suggests.

Premium cable, internet and cellphone plans

If you have a top-tier cable subscription, you’re probably not watching all the channels you’re paying for. Similarly, high-speed internet plans cost top dollar but deliver speeds you may not need, unless you’re a gamer or uploading videos. And that unlimited data plan for your cellphone? If you’re only using your phone to call, text and send occasional emails, you can downgrade and save money.

Audit your cable, internet and cellphone plans to see if there are more affordable options you can choose based on your needs. “Stepping down to your provider’s second-tier service might be worth a look,” says Martin Lynch, president of the Financial Counseling Association of America, a nonprofit association for consumer credit counseling agencies.

Grab-and-go food

Convenience comes at a cost. Take precut fruit, for example: “It costs two to three times what whole fruit costs, and the only thing you’re paying for is five minutes of someone else’s prep work,” says Stephanie Carls, a retail analyst at cash-back offers website and app RetailMeNot. Prepared meals at the supermarket are also unnecessary wallet drainers.

Disposable items

Bottled water, paper towels and plates, and other disposable goods may be convenient, but they’re not the most cost-efficient. “The problem is you’re buying them on repeat,” Carls says.

Replacing disposables with reusable products is a simple, effective way to save money. “A reusable water bottle pays for itself fast, cloth towels handle most of what paper towels do, and real plates last indefinitely,” says Carls.

Holiday gifts and decorations

While you don’t have to cut out every holiday from your shopping list, deciding which holidays are most important to you can help lower costs. “I’m always trying to get people to think about their presence instead of presents that you buy,” says Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, a money coach and author of Bounce Back: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience. “Most people would really rather have quality time with you.”

Holiday decorations are another category where you can pare back your spending. It can be tempting to buy new Halloween, Hanukkah or Christmas decorations every year, but reusing what you already have is an easy way to save money. For instance, Khalfani-Cox’s family used to buy a real Christmas tree annually, typically spending $100 to $125, but now they use the same artificial Christmas tree every year.

Restaurant meals and takeout

Cooking more at home can be a great way to spend less. Advance planning is key, says Woroch: Writing down your dinner schedule for the whole week can reduce the temptation to go out or order delivery at the last minute.

“Take it one step further to cook in bulk and freeze single-serving leftovers that are easy to reheat on nights you get too busy to cook,” she suggests.

If you are craving a meal out, search for happy hour deals, early-bird specials or late-night dining deals.

Extended warranties

Many electronics, from health-tracking wearables to smart TVs, offer extended warranties, but they’re often not worth the cost because they frequently go unused, Carls says. And many have a significant number of exclusions that limit what repairs are covered. “You’re paying for the peace of mind of having it, not because you actually need it,” she says.

Shipping fees

Shipping isn’t something you can buy, but avoiding delivery fees for online purchases can help you save a lot of money. One strategy: Many retailers with brick-and-mortar locations offer free in-store or curbside pickup for online orders.

“It won’t matter if you’ve only purchased a single $8 sweater or sale-priced body washes — they’ll neatly package your items and have them waiting curbside without you ever having to wait in a store line or pay for shipping,” says Bryce Gruber, an e-commerce analyst and former shopping editor for Reader's Digest.

The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

%{postComment}%

Nicole Pajer is an award-winning journalist who has written numerous articles for AARP including a cover profile of actor Rob Lowe, and for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, People and other publications.