A quick walk around the house can uncover a multitude of items we’ve spent too much on. From pricey shampoos and body washes, to household cleaners and medications, there’s a veritable fortune being spent unnecessarily. But once you can identify the culprits and tweak your shopping habits, it’s like finding change in the sofa cushions.
Chances are you’ve got way too many household cleaners under the kitchen sink: one for the windows, one for the dishwasher, one for the countertops — the list could go on forever. Bear in mind that items with name brands don’t necessarily clean better than the generic alternatives. Better yet, even bigger savings can be found by mixing a few inexpensive basics like vinegar and baking soda. The all-purpose powder is a natural deodorizer, and when mixed with water makes a great scouring agent. For window treatments, there’s really nothing more effective than vinegar and water for cleaning glass surfaces. Go a step further and use old newspapers instead of paper towels for a streak-free, guilt-free, cost-free shine.
Toiletries, like pricey shampoos, body washes and moisturizer are also dollar swallowers. Beauty experts say the basic ingredients of soap and detergents are universal. While the cleaning agent is important, everything else (including fragrance) literally washes down the drain. In the case of shampoo — we only need a gentle cleanser at most — there’s even a growing “no-poo” movement that advocates forgoing shampoo altogether. Face cleaners, pricey moisturizers and dental care products all also command more for the label and marketing than for performance.
Forbes.com slideshow: Household items you’re spending too much money on
Electronic or more tech-laden versions of old standbys are even bigger wastes of money. “If it’s a battery operated toothbrush which will need replacement heads, buy them at the same time you purchase the toothbrush,” says Christine Frietchen, editor of ConsumerSearch. “Let’s face it, when you need new heads, you’re not going to find them.” After time, the company might not sell the item anymore, or you won’t remember the model you need and will wind up purchasing an entirely new toothbrush. Battery-fueled face cleaners, razors with special blades, or electronic toothbrushes have more moving parts, making them more likely to break.
Perhaps the most surprising budget black holes are room fragrances and candles, now a multi-billion dollar category. That’s money spent to mask odors a good cleaning or open window can take care of, and don’t forget that spending anywhere from $10 to $75 for a pricey, celebrity-endorsed candle is forking over money for something you’ll set on fire, literally.
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