21 items you shouldn’t be paying for

Below I list 21 items you can easily go without spending a dime on. If you’re paying for any of these I also share ways to cut expenses. Let me know in the comments what other items you don’t pay for.

• TV – Forget paying for expensive cable or satellite TV. Stick to over the air TV or catch your favorite shows and newscasts online for free. Check out TV network sites or Hulu for free episodes.
• Water – Sure you need to pay your water bill, but don’t fork over $1 – $2 for bottled water. Carry a water bottle and fill up wherever possible.
• Books – You can checkout recent books at your local library for free as long as you don’t become delinquent. Classics can be had for free on electronic devices like smartphones and tablets.
• Movie rentals – Sure, you can hit up Redbox for a $1.29 rental, but this will add up. Scour the net for codes to get free rentals or head to the library.
• Music – I’m not suggesting you download music illegally (that’s cheap, not frugal), or record songs from the radio on an old cassette. There are lots of legal ways to listen to your favorite artists’ music for free. Try Pandora or downloading free songs from iTunes.
• Checking accounts – Switch banks if you must to prevent paying bank fees. If this is not possible, ask your bank how you can get a particular fee waived. My checking account has several fees, but I’ve had them waived!
• Credit Report – Paying to have your credit report monitored is a waste of money. There are several ways to check it without paying. You can do so annually using AnnualCreditReport.com. If you’re ever denied credit, you can also ask to receive your credit report for free.
• Credit Cards – Annual fees are a big no-no! There are so many cards available that you’re bound to find a competitive one that doesn’t require you fork a fee.
• Basic Tax Preparation – File your taxes with the help of free tax programs like the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.
• Budgeting Software – Useful budgeting software doesn’t have to cost you a thing. I’m a fan of Mint – it’s free!
• Gym memberships – I use my membership as motivation, but if you’re disciplined and motivated to workout on your own, it’s time to cut ties with your gym.
• Shipping – Like shopping online? Search for codes for free shipping.
• Apps – No need to get the lite versions to get free apps. Scour the App Store to find sales.
• Internet service – If you occasionally use the Internet, browse the web at cafes or the library and save yourself the $40 – $60 per month.
• Moving boxes – Make sure to ask stores for extra boxes as many will eventually dispose of them.
• 411 calls – Need to get a number? Use 1-800-FREE-411 to prevent the $1.99 – $2.99 fee.
• Museum admission – Take full advantage of free museum days, or get a free museum membership for your kids and teens.
• Repairing your credit report – No need to pay an agency to fight credit report mistakes.
• Pens and pencils – These come and go so why spend money on these writing utensils when you can get them for free from businesses or organizations that are looking for a little promotion.
• Magazine subscriptions – Score free magazine subscriptions or hit your local library. I must admit that I do have a magazine subscription to Bon Appetite, but I scored a great deal.
• Plastic bags – Whether you use them to pick up after your dog or to line your trash cans, skip paying for plastic bags. You can always pick up a couple when you head to the grocery store — that’s if you don’t use reusable bags.

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