25 Ways you’re losing money

Installing radiant barriers, solar screens and green windows and making sure you have Energy Star-rated appliances doesn’t just help the environment, it saves you money on your heating and cooling bills. But do your part, too.

Carrying a balance on your credit card costs you money in interest fees. Pay them off at the end of each month.

Use automatic bill-payment options to make sure you don’t rack up late fees.

Premium gas is only required for a handful of luxury and performance vehicles and may not do anything for cars that don’t need it.

Keep the air in your tires consistently filled to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It saves on gas money, too!

Cutting out unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking and fast food doesn’t just save you money in the short-term. The health problems associated with them are expensive.

If you’re not using all your minutes or data on your cell plan every month, switch to a lower (cheaper) plan.

Every state government has a website where you can find out if you’re owed money. That’s where people who owe you money but can’t find you report it. They can’t keep it, so the government hangs onto it for you!

Many store brands are just as good (or better) than the high-priced brands supported by expensive advertising campaigns that you, in turn, pay for.

Coupons won’t save you more than buying generic (usually), but look online for coupons for the things you use often.

If you buy more food than you can really eat before it goes bad, you’re probably wasting a lot. Consider shopping for perishables twice a week instead of once.

You’re going to need toilet paper next month anyway, right? It’s cheaper in bulk, as are most items you purchase regularly.