4 things that make us lose money without knowing it

The main reason for losing money is due to spending habits that are easy or not paid attention to properly. Here are some cases of wasting money that many people commit but may not realize.

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Sign up for gym membership

Many people sign up for gym memberships or buy memberships for certain sports because of the influence of their colleagues or relatives. On the other hand, after each new year, some people often sign up for gym memberships with many goals for themselves regarding body changes.

Gyms estimate that only 18% of members will actually use their membership consistently. So if you pay $50 a month for a gym membership and only go a few times a month, you’re essentially wasting $600 a year.

Before signing up for a gym membership, think carefully about how often you actually use it. Are there any alternatives that are cheaper or free? For example, if you have a bicycle, commuting to work will be a form of exercise and earn you income, equivalent to the cost of petrol for a car.

Buy food with "eyes bigger than stomach" style

Food waste has become such a common phenomenon that many people don't realize the extent to which they are doing it.HThe American Chemistry Council says the average American household wastes $640 a year on food.

If you don’t want to throw food and money down the drain, make a weekly shopping list before you go to the supermarket. Regularly check your fridge, freezer, and pantry to see what you have and how much.

Also, be careful when buying in bulk. Even items that are used a lot don’t last long. Limit your purchases even to items you know you’ll use all the time.

Eating out too much

There are many reasons to eat out instead of cooking at home. But if you're not careful, eating out too often can lead to serious money wastage.

In 2015, the average American household spent a total of $3,008 on eating out, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But because restaurants typically mark up their meals by 300 percent, every $3,000 Americans spent would have cost them $2,000 more to cook at home. This kind of disparity persists outside the United States.

If you're spending a lot of money on eating out or takeout, reconsider, especially if you're trying to save or have other financial goals.You don't have to say no to eating out. But if you cut eating out from three times a week to two, you'll save a lot.

Wrong investment

According toCNN,60% of Americans overinvest in their retirement funds and are missing out on huge benefits.Meanwhile, if you put most of your money into stocks, it's a reasonable risk. According to calculations, if an American invests in stocks at age 20, they have the opportunity to receive an average annual return of 8%.

Investing in Vietnam will of course have differences. Putting money into savings or buying insurance is often the way that many people choose, because they think it is very safe.However, there are other ways to invest that are worth considering. The problem is that you need someone who is knowledgeable about investing money to guide you.