Sean Gallup/Getty Images
- Whether you're overpaying for cellular data each month or choosing a large cable plan over streaming services, there are several ways you can cut costs and only pay for what you use and need.
- We spoke with several financial planners about common, expensive things that most people can do without.
Showing off lavish items is an undeniable aspect of American culture, but when it comes to making sound investments in expensive items, there are some purchases financial planners say you should likely exclude from your budget.
Several expensive items are becoming obsolete solely based on the age of their potential consumers. Millennials are opting for streaming services instead of cable packages with hundreds of channels that will never be watched, for instance. Other packages including unlimited data plans are also not worth the money, according to one expert we spoke to.
Before making an expensive purchase, ask yourself if you can find a cheaper product that will bring as much joy, Jeremy Straub, CEO of Coastal Wealth, told Business Insider. He said that while asking for joy from a product may be cheesy, it could help you think of a big purchase differently.
Another question to ask yourself, Straub said, is: "Could I use this money on an experience that would last a lifetime?"
Business Insider spoke with several financial planners over email about common, expensive things that most people can do without. Take a look at the 12 items they say aren't worth the money.