We all are always looking for ways to save money, but we sometimes ignore the fact that we’re actively wasting money every day.

Here are 5 ways you might be letting money slip through your fingers.

1. The Food In Your Kitchen Goes Bad

It’s hard to judge exactly how much food you’ll eat in the next week or month, but when food spoils, that’s money down the drain. Planning your meals ahead of time helps a ton, as does knowing how long different foods stay fresh on the counter, in the fridge, and in the freezer. But, in the end, all it takes is a little attention.

2. You Pay Too Much for Smartphone Data

Most people sign up for a data plan and use their phone without really digging into how much data they use. If you’re still holding onto an unlimited plan, for example, it’s worth looking up how much data you actually use in a month—you might actually save money by moving to a metered plan (after all, 65% of people don’t even use 300MB of data per month). I subscribe to comonth for Blackberry on glo, and I can’t remember ever using up to 50% of the monthly data. That was when I realized how much I wasted on the ‘so-called’ unlimited subscription I was on using Airtel. If you haven’t checked your data usage in awhile, give it a look. You might be surprised. Of course, if you do have a limited plan, make sure your phone isn’t secretly wasting data in the background, too.

3. You Don’t Negotiate

Negotiating can be tiring and time-wasting, but with the right preparation, you can make the whole process a lot easier—and get a lot more for your money. In fact, researchers in the U.S. found that the average new hire loses out on $500,000 in the long run, just by not negotiating their salary on that first job. There are a number of negotiation methods that work well in different situations (the Briefcase Technique being a pretty good one for salaries), so check out Lifehacker’s guide to getting anything you want with minimal negotiation. In a typical Nigerian market, the price you’re told is usually double what the good is worth, especially if you’re buying from an Ibo or Yoruba trader. But when you master the techniques of negotiating, you might be surprised how much you let go down the drain before you put in a little effort.



4. You Fall For Tech Myths

It’s amazing how much tech companies try to squeeze out of you when you go to buy a new computer. “Oh, don’t buy that one, it’s six months old…buy this new one!” “O, you should get an extended warranty for an extra $200.” “Here, this $40 HDMI cable should suit your needs.” These sales tactics lead to quite a few myths, like the fact that new products are somehow better than refurbished products, or that expensive cables will get you a better picture on your TV. If you buy a lot of technology—and if you’re anything like us, you can save quite a bundle by knowing your stuff before you go into the store.


5. You Try Too Hard to Save Money
Wait, what? That’s right: Sometimes, trying to save money can actually lead you into a pit that wastes money. For example, some people avoid regular checkups with the doctor or dentist, but then end up having to go in and pay much more for all the things they neglected. As a way to save money, you buy only the things you need in bits, but you end up using a carton at the end of the month; you could have saved money if you bought a whole carton in the first place-each would cost less than how much retailers sold the product to you each time you bought it. That’s not to say saving money is a bad thing—it’s just important to pay attention to where all of your money is going, and that you aren’t shooting yourself in the foot with a strategy you’re using to “save” cash.


6,You Ignore Wear and Tear on Your Home
Top 10 Ways You Can Waste Money Without Realizing It,When you own a home, it seems like the repairs and improvements never stop...but you might have missed out on a few important ones. If you've still got drafts of air flowing through your house, you're probably wasting a lot of money on heating and cooling costs, and might even have some water damage from leaks around the foundation.


http:///life-and-styles/5-ways-you-can-waste-money-without-real.html

Very true. I am guilty of the 1st and 2nd points. most times, my data bundle expires while i still have unused data and those yeye MTN go just clear my money


feels cool to be first to lament comment

fist to comment sha....

nice one though. guilty of some of them too . anyway.....

NGN11,000.00 DSTV monthly subscription!

You send #1500 airtime †☺ your girlfriend when U̶̲̅я salary is #3000 aπϑ ˚°ºU̶̲̥̅̊º°˚ have family †☺ cater for

You always load #100 daily inorder †☺ get mb from mtn...my brother one month is #2800...save U̶̲̅я money G̶̲̥̅Ơ̴̴̴̴͡ get a BB.infact
Your case d̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ court

How about spendin on a girl who doesn't even Lyk yhu? Isn't that wastin of money without realizin it? *just sayin*

Huh huh....I thought im the comment to first.....
Read well oh....

Op, don't u fink it's sweeta when u juxtapose N for $ when posting for Nairalanders? D plenty oyibo wey dey here na 4 Nigerians in Diaspora.
The Nigerian version of any post will be just fine.
Thanks all d same...I'm guilty of quite a few but dat food ish, I pray make my food waste!!!

We doesn't worry about money in BANANA ISLAND where i lives!

Am guilty of number 3 ...

Dis tin dey cause issue btw my Wife n I.... God'll help me adjust

Another way!!!!

GUYS who don't even have enough money begin to but fancy clothes, shoes and gadgets in order to impress girls wey no even get your time. Abeg that's a stupid manner of wasting your small money. Invest in your future!

Why not better be lilke dangote

There are many ways you can waste money and not realising it. Have the habit of savings.

guilty of no. 5

I wil chop my money anyhow i no send, if i dont eat my money now when wil i eat it abeg i need to waste it thats the fun

Na poverty dey cause am,if u just see 1 million naira for the first time you go blow am at once..LITTLE MINDS DISCUS PPLE WHILE GREAT MINDS IDEA

Very true. the food stuff am so guilty of,try so much 2 keep it ALWAYS available but my bin takes the largest portion.

i keep wasting money on condoms bought @ shotrite UK because OF ALL DIS FAT YELLOW ASS BITCHES ACROSS DE STREETS OF MANCHESTER

If U no get, U go waste?

Nice write up

3 for me..no b say i even get money like davido ooh

You have money for 2 bottles only, and you decided go down street where you are known, uninvited friend come and you ask the madam to bring more beer that you will settle her before weekend.

In addition to No. 2 is paying for premium DSTV subscription when you are not really a hard core TV person. There's no point giving away your hard earned cash to a TV company for services you aren't using.

trying to keep up with the kardashians..... they are not your mate

yuzedo: We doesn't worry about money in BANANA ISLAND where i lives!

as a gateman abi?

Truth!
Add to the list the tendency and penchant to impress or please de next person that tasks your prudency.
Another is desparate efforts to look richer than your real financial level.
Solution:
COUGHT YOUR COAT ACCORDING TO YOUR CLOTH !

yuzedo: we doesn't worry about money in BANANA ISLAND where i lives!

Are you sure you don't need money to learn how to write correctly?

culled from lifehacker