When we think about losing money, we usually picture something big, like the car breaks down and needs a pricey repair, or a medical emergency takes a bite out of savings. Those are the expenses that stick in your memory. But the truth is, it's often the small, everyday purchases that do the most damage to your bank account.

Here are 10 of them that may be taking more than you realize.

Quick Navigation

Curious where your money goes? Jump to the section that is most helpful for you.

10 Everyday Purchases That Quickly Add Up

None of these are "wrong" on their own. But when they repeat week after week, the yearly total can be surprising. Here's what to watch for.

1. The Morning Cup of Joe

Whether it's a Starbucks run or your local neighborhood coffee shop, specialty coffee drinks can cost anywhere from $5 to $7. Stopping to get your morning hit of caffeine could cost you hundreds of dollars over the course of the year. Making your coffee at home or drinking coffee provided by your office is always a cheaper solution.

2. Drive-Thru Lunches

Costs are rising across the board. While fast food restaurants offer the convenience of a quick meal, they aren't the value that they used to be. Most combo meals at fast food chains cost nearly $10 depending on the menu item. Eating a fast food meal just twice per week is likely to cost you more than $1,000 by the end of the year. It may not be glamorous, but sometimes brown bagging it is the best option.

3. Dormant Streaming Services

Most people pay for multiple streaming services each month. But are you using all those services enough to justify that monthly subscription? The base price of streaming services seems to go up every year. Even the lowest tiers can cost more than $10 per month, depending on the streaming service.

To cut costs, eliminate the streaming services you don't use very often. You can also embrace free options like over-the-air antennas and Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) providers like Tubi or Pluto TV.

4. Impulse Buys

There’s a reason grocery stores and gas stations have candy bars and bottles of soda right in front of your eyes at the checkout counter. Buying a candy bar and bottle of pop every time you get groceries or get gas could be costing you hundreds per year.

5. Online Shopping Add-Ons

We've all gotten that notification when shopping online that says something like "you're only $5 away from free shipping." And we've all likely been guilty of spending another $10–$20 on an item to get that free shipping when, if you would have left your cart and paid the shipping, you probably would have spent less money. Pay careful attention and do the math to ensure your money is being spent wisely.

6. Unused Gym Memberships

If you’re paying for a gym membership but you're not going multiple times per week, you're wasting that membership and your money. According to the Health and Fitness Association, the average cost of a gym membership was $65 per month in 2023, costing members $780 per year on average. Gym memberships are great when you’re using them, but if you're not, it's an unnecessary expense.

7. Excessive Internet Speed

This is one many of us don't think of. Most people get sucked into their internet contract with a nice introductory rate that then goes up considerably after the first year. Many people choose to pay for more speed than they need each month because we've been told faster is better.

The truth is, unless you're running a lot of devices simultaneously doing high-level streaming and gaming, you'd likely be fine with a lower tier. Even going from $100 per month to $70 per month can save you $360 per year.

8. Lottery Tickets

No one will begrudge you for buying the occasional scratcher or taking a chance when the Powerball jackpot gets high, but don't make buying lottery tickets a regular part of your spending. Statistically, you're almost always going to lose over the course of purchasing many tickets, and the short-term wins don't outweigh the long-term losses.

9. Meal Plan Services

Meal planning services can be fun at first, especially when you're getting discounted boxes. But over a long period, you're better off doing your own grocery shopping and cooking your own ingredients that you've bought.

These meal delivery services don't save you time, because you're still doing the cooking, and they definitely don't save you money. Even worse, because everything is strictly portion controlled, you are often left with no leftovers for easy meals the rest of the week.

10. ATM Fees

If you’re someone who prefers to carry cash, ATM fees can add up quickly. We offer fee-free ATMs throughout our service area, and our debit cardholders also have access to surcharge-free ATMs through the Shazam ATM Network.

Good to know: All American State Bank debit cardholders can receive refunds for up to three ATM fees per month. If you’re charged a fee for using an ATM outside our network, let us know.

Use our ATM locator to find a nearby American State Bank or Shazam ATM, or compare our checking accounts to learn more about the features included with each account.

A Simple Trick to Curb Impulse Spending

If you're looking to limit your impulsive spending habits, you can get started by utilizing your savings account more aggressively.

Try this: Instead of keeping your primary balance in your checking account, make regular transfers to your savings account. It's easier to stop yourself from making a simple debit card payment when you know most of your money is set aside in savings.

Small Changes, Real Savings

None of these purchases are wrong on their own. A morning coffee or the occasional lottery ticket isn't going to sink your budget. But when you add them all up over a year, the total can be eye-opening — and that's money that could be working for you instead.

Cut back on even two or three of these habits, move that money into savings, and you'll likely be surprised how quickly it grows.

If you're ready to make your money work a little harder, we're here to help. Our local team can walk you through savings account options that make it easier to set money aside and keep it there.

Explore Savings Accounts Talk With Our Team

Frequently Asked Questions About Everyday Spending

How can I identify small expenses that are hurting my budget?

Review your bank and credit card transactions from the past one to three months. Look for purchases that repeat weekly or monthly, such as subscriptions, takeout, convenience-store purchases, ATM fees, and online shopping add-ons. Seeing the total for each category can help you decide where cutting back would make the biggest difference.

How can I stop making impulse purchases?

Try waiting 24 hours before completing an unplanned purchase, removing saved payment information from shopping sites, and setting a specific amount for nonessential spending. You can also transfer a planned amount to savings after payday, while leaving enough in checking for bills and everyday expenses.

Where should I put the money I save by cutting expenses?

You could put it toward an emergency fund, a short-term savings goal, or another financial priority. Keeping it in a separate savings account may make it easier to track your progress and avoid spending it accidentally.