10 expenses destroying your budget

3D render of a dollar sign disloving into dust.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/ratpack223)

Building a budget doesn’t require saying goodbye to every small luxury and tiny treat.

Instead, making a spending plan can help you identify budgetary leaks and make room for worthwhile splurges.

Read on for details on which expenses you should be cutting from your budget, with advice from U.S. News My Money bloggers and other experts.

Stack of multicolored credit cards close-up — **Credit card interest payments** If you’re not paying off your credit card balance each month, you’re overpaying for the purchases you charge on your cards. Make a plan to start paying down credit card debt using the avalanche method, snowball method or whatever works best for you. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Kwun Kau Tam)

Your cable bill American subscribers spend more than $100 per month on pay-TV services. Cancel cable and replace it with streaming services and a digital antenna. “The key here is that while there isn’t just one streaming solution to fit every TV watcher’s needs, with research and well-thought-out priorities, you should be able to find a setup that works for you at a price you can afford,” writes U.S. News My Money contributor Alex Haslam. (AP/Matt Rourke)

AP/Matt Rourke

Unneeded insurance It’s wise to regularly reevaluate your auto insurance, life insurance and other individual and employer-provided insurance policies to make sure they still meet your needs. “For instance, retirees may not need life insurance if there are no children in the house or there’s no mortgage to pay off,” writes Maryalene LaPonsie, a U.S. News contributor. (AP/Mary Altaffer)

AP/Mary Altaffer

Challenging yourself daily is a habit that leads to better health long-term, according to author and personal trainer Josef Brandenburg. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/boggy22) — **Pricey gym memberships and exercise classes** Gym memberships and boutique fitness classes can take a bite out of your budget, especially if you don’t go regularly or let classes expire. Stretch your exercise budget by taking advantage of free trials and supplementing pricey group classes with outdoor or at-home workouts. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/boggy22)

Why not give a gift this year that has a deeper and more lasting impact through an investing education? (iStock/Getty Images Plus) — **Costly gifts** Birthdays. Valentine’s Day. Christmas. Mother’s Day. Father’s Day. So many holidays come with the expectation of delivering a pricey present. Work with your family to rethink costly holiday traditions, and opt for giving experiential gifts or heartfelt homemade items. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

In its new $60 million campaign, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is targeting teens to stop what experts call an “almost ubiquitous” and “growing epidemic” of e-cigarette use among youth. In 2017, the National Youth Tobacco Survey reported more 2 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes. (Getty Images) — **Cigarettes and e-cigarettes** The cost of smoking goes beyond the price of a pack of cigarettes. Smokers, on average, earn less at their jobs than nonsmokers, according to one study. And they’ll spend more on insurance, such as life insurance, long-term care insurance and health insurance on the open market. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/licsiren)

Mobile devices are often connecting to unsecure public Wi-Fi networks, which can expose them to cyber-snoops that are connected to the same network. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Marco_Piunti) — **Your pricey cellphone plan** Your monthly cellphone bill can stretch your budget. U.S. News My Money contributor Jon Lal recommends reducing that cost by switching to a no-contract plan, keeping your phone longer, using Wi-Fi when possible and limiting background data usage. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Marco_Piunti)

Takeout and delivery meals When done infrequently, dining out or ordering out is a nice treat. But if it starts to replace home-cooked meals, it’s time to rethink your habits. Cooking at home is typically more cost-effective than dining out. (AP)

debt collection and tax season concept with deadline calendar remind note,coins,banks,calculator on table, background ,time to pay concept — **Bloated financial commissions** While financial advisors can help you better manage your investments, savings and budget, overpaying for their services can quickly wipe out the advantages they bring. “For those who have a minimal amount of money to invest, robo advisors such as Betterment and Wealthfront come with lower fees, albeit with less personalized service,” LaPonsie says. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Doucefleur)

Full-priced items With so many strategies to buy items on sale and comparison shop across retailers, it’s silly to pay full price. Consider doing your buying on shopping holidays, using rewards apps, shopping secondhand and taking advantage of store loyalty programs and memberships. (Alex Flynn/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Alex Flynn/Bloomberg/Getty Images

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