Small expenses can lead to a huge bill
You go to work everyday using public transportation. In New York City, one MetroCard swipe costs $2.90. It is not cheap! The rates are more if you use NJ Transit, MetroNorth or Long Island Rail Road.
You buy coffee or food in the middle of the day. The average cost of coffee is around $5 if you buy it from Starbucks or any ‘yuppy’ place. Food probably costs more than $5 if you’re buying fast food or from a decent restaurant.
You come home tired and want to eat. You feel like you cannot cook by yourself or have nothing in your fridge. You decide to order in using apps like DoorDash or GrubHub or order directly from the restaurant. The food most likely costs more than $10 plus tip to the driver, hoping he/she arrived on time and delivered the food without any problems.
You are scrolling the internet at night and see an ad for a new pair of sneakers or a dress that will make you look attractive. The price for that product varies if you order from Temu, Amazon or Macy’s.
You follow this whole pattern for the rest of the week or month. Your expenses which are small each day get significantly higher as you see the receipts or your bills in your bank account. They accumulate into one big credit card debt.
Remember how small steps can lead to big changes? Well, small expenses can lead to a huge bill.
For example, if you buy a $5 coffee from Starbucks every Monday through Friday per month. That’s 5 times 20 minus additional days. That’s about a $100 on a Starbucks. Similarly, if you buy a $10 meal every Monday through Friday per month, 10 times 20 equals $200.
That’s about $300 of expenses on food.
Add that to transportation, rent, utilities, car, private insurance, college tuition, miscellaneous expenses and you are looking at a huge bill.
You think you can pay all that or sustain all that? In this economy? In any part of the world? Not just in America?
I’m not discouraging you to stop eating outside or eat from cheap bodegas. The point I’m trying to make is to control the small expenses that could add up later in the month. Also, keep your big expenses like rent, car lease and home payments up to budget. Make sure to have a safety account where money is stored if things went downhill.
Try to buy groceries so you can learn how to cook and save money on outdoor foods which not only cost money but are compromising to your health. Look up YouTube videos where you can learn how to cook easy and tasty dishes whose ingredients not only cost less but are healthy.
Remember, keep an eye on your expenses the same way you keep an eye on your health or that new pair of shoes you want to buy once it’s on sale.
Let me know how you guys feel in the comments.