They say you need to spend money to make money and this holds true – not just in business situations, but also in your home life. You could be forking over hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than you really have to. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate your disposables, your appliances, and even your caffeine addiction. As long as you’re willing to make an initial investment, these seven purchases could potentially save you thousands of dollars over their lifetimes.
1. An Espresso Machine
Your $4 or $5 coffee each morning may seem like a throwaway expense, but that latte isn’t cheap. Over just one year of buying coffee every weekday morning, you’ve already spent over $1,000. Why not put that money into a machine that you can use for years to come?
Sure, you’ll need to keep supplies on hand, but the final price will still end up being far less expensive than your Starbucks addiction. Depending on the features you’re seeking, an espresso machine can cost anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, but just think of all the money you’ll save in the long run.
2. Cloth Napkins
Don’t you hate buying paper napkins just to throw them out again? Save the environment, and the time and money spent getting napkins at the store, by purchasing or sewing your own cloth napkins. If you properly care for them, cloth napkins can last for years and your place settings will look that much more impressive every time you have guests over.
3. Reusable Water Bottles/Filters
Bottled water is one of the most overpriced goods you can buy. In fact, if you compare the price per gallon of bottled water to that of gasoline, you’d be shocked to learn that it’s nearly three times as expensive. Not only is it expensive, but all of those plastic bottles are terrible for the environment. Save yourself the guilt and a ton of cash by purchasing a reusable bottle instead.
The perfect companion for your new water bottle is a filter. Some companies that specialize in water purity provide commercial- and even military-grade solutions; for the rest of us, Brita is a great choice for bottling our own water from the kitchen faucet.
4. A Crockpot
After a long and exhausting day of work, it can be tempting to dine out or order in instead of building up the motivation to cook a meal at home. However, buying prepared food (and paying tips or delivery fees) really adds up. Most of the time, it’s not as good for you as what you could be making anyway.
What’s the answer? A crock pot! Simply throw together some ingredients before you leave for work, tap a few buttons and return home to the delicious smell of food that’s ready to eat. If you feel too lazy to cook most of the time, a slow cooker could pay for itself and start saving you time and money.
5. A Programmable Thermostat
Do you really need the AC running full blast while everyone is out of the house at work or school? Probably not. Don’t you wish you could set the temperature higher while you are gone, but have the AC kick back into action about a half hour before you get home? With a programmable thermostat, which allows you to set temperatures based on the time of day, you can finally make your energy saving dreams a reality. Don’t expect your energy bill savings to be too dramatic, but you can definitely expect to see a difference over time.
6. A TV Streaming Device
Across most of the United States, just a small handful of cable providers have a near-monopoly over how we watch television – and, consequently, how much our television habit costs. If you find yourself lamenting each month’s cable bill, maybe it’s time to cut it out of your life entirely. It can be hard to justify canceling cable if your TV is going to just sit there.
Instead, consider putting that money into a TVstreaming device such as Roku, Chromecast, or Apple TV. These devices typically pay for themselves within one or two cable bills and as long as your Internet connection is fast enough, the viewing experience is nearly identical (except for the part where you can skip commercials). Remember, the device you buy will not come with TV shows or movies, so you might consider getting a Netflix or Hulu membership.
With a one-time investment between $30 and $100, you can save hundreds or even thousands on your cable bill in just a few years.
7. An Amazon Prime Membership
Amazon Prime, available for $99 a year (it’s deeply discounted for college students and they offer a one month trial period before you have to pay) can save frequent online shoppers a ton of money over the course of the year. The most notable perk is the free two-day shipping on almost everything, but you also get a library of TV shows and movies that you can stream on your devices, as well as a new, Spotify-esque music streaming service.
Depending on your habits, these items can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run. At the very least, in every case, they will eventually pay for themselves.
