13 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024

Saving money at every turn and maximizing your income should be a priority for everyone in 2024. Paying unnecessary bills on services and products you don’t use (or even need) is the easiest way to get into severe financial trouble.

In the spirit of keeping the most money possible in our respective bank accounts, here are some bills you should stop paying this year. While some are straightforward, others require some legwork. But ultimately, it’ll all be worth it.

1. Brand-Name Cell Phone Service

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There’s nothing wrong with being loyal to one of the major U.S.-based cell service providers. Verizon, AT&T, and, to a lesser extent, T-Mobile all have solid networks and proven track records regarding reliability and ease of use. Unfortunately, the “big three” rates have only increased over time, making some plans very expensive for the average smartphone user.

Consider erasing these costly bills from your monthly to-do list. Companies like Cricket Wireless, Mint Mobile, and Google Fi are under-the-radar service providers with comparable signals and reliability for a fraction of the price.

2. Gym Memberships

Millions of Americans pay monthly fees to access gyms, studios, and other fitness centers. However, for many men and women, these gym memberships go unused. We’ve all been there: skipping the gym to stay home and relax on the couch is easy. Before you know it, these days add up consecutively until you realize you haven’t been to the gym in weeks or even months.

Your gym doesn’t care if you step foot inside it. All it cares about is taking your hard-earned money every month. Combat this by canceling your membership if you do not go to the gym. The expense adds up.

3. Excessive Streaming Services

Netflix, YouTube TV, Hulu, Peacock, MAX, Paramount, Disney+, and countless other streaming services give users the same basic experience. The advice here is simple: pick one or two services and stick with them.

Don’t sign up for multiple concurrent free trials, forget to cancel any of them, and then be bombarded by sky-high monthly bills for streaming services you forgot you signed up for in the first place. Downsize your entertainment options and give your wallet a break.

4. Too Much Internet Speed

The average person probably thinks they need faster internet speeds than they actually do. For example, paying for internet speeds of 500Mbps is pointless when 100Mbps speeds can easily handle all your personal internet traffic.

You only need 15Mbps of speed to watch a show or movie on Netflix in 4K UHD quality. Anything over that speed is overkill. Since many internet providers charge a premium for ultra-high-speed internet access, downgrading to “slower” service will save you money. Thankfully, you won’t notice the difference.

5. Landline Telephone Service

Unless you’re a fan of outdated things from decades ago, there’s no reason to be paying for a landline in 2024. Your smartphone has everything you need to communicate with the outside world anyway. Getting rid of this bill is a quick way to reduce your monthly utility costs.

Relying solely on your cell phone (which you probably do anyway without giving it a second thought) will free you from the shackles of paying for an old-fashioned service that is dying off by the minute. This is especially true if you’re still bundling it with your local cable television service.

6. Full Car Insurance

While there’s nothing wrong with maxing out your monthly auto insurance premium in theory, you’re throwing money away if you pay for over-the-top car insurance for a vehicle that doesn’t warrant it. If you drive a high-end car, you must insure it with an appropriate high-value policy.

However, if you drive a car over 15 years old, you can reduce its monthly premiums. If you’re a safe driver, you can also decrease your deductibles. You’ll save money in the long run and be well on your way to being more responsible with your bills in 2024.

7. Credit Card Interest

Is there anything worse than paying interest on purchasing you didn’t have money for in the first place? Credit card debt is a national epidemic, and high interest fees only compound the problem. It’s time to get ahead of your monthly interest payments.

If you’re struggling with credit card debt, consider applying for a balance transfer credit card. Upon approval, this can relieve you from the endless barrage of interest you’re responsible for paying each month. It could be the lifeline you need.

8. Cable Television

Paying for cable television through traditional cable companies is one of the worst ways to spend your money. Streaming services are all the rage in 2024, and there are too many affordable options that don’t cost an arm and a leg (just remember to sign up for only one or two, as discussed earlier).

For many people, “cutting the cable” is one of the most financially responsible decisions they make all year. Streaming your favorite shows is often cheaper than paying for all-inclusive cable TV bundles anyway.

9. Storage Units

While keeping belongings in storage units is popular among many men and women in 2024, it’s time to ask why. Why are you keeping items locked away in what’s essentially a closet and paying for the privilege of doing so? It makes no sense. If you don’t need an item, throw it away or sell it. Don’t keep it under lock and key, which costs you money in the long run.

Instead of paying for a storage unit that can incur high monthly or yearly fees, sell those items instead. You’ll be happy you have extra money in your pocket and enjoy not paying for storage space in 2024.

10. Annual Credit Card Fees

While not every credit card has an annual fee, many do, especially high-end premium cards. Paying for those you don’t use daily can be a trap you may not be able to escape.

While canceling credit cards you don’t use may negatively affect your credit score in the short term, it can have long-term benefits. Paying annual fees with no intention of using the benefits that come along with specific credit cards is not savvy or smart; it’s one of the worst ways to spend your money.

11. Professional Services

Paying others to do household chores you can do yourself is the definition of paying unnecessary monthly bills. Even if you’re used to paying someone to cut your lawn or clean your house, these services are significant money drains and should be avoided if possible.

Believe it or not, there’s a certain sense of satisfaction from doing these disliked chores yourself, and you can’t beat the savings you’ll encounter along the way.

12. Food Delivery Apps

It’s easier than ever to have food delivered to your home in 2024. It’s as simple as opening up your favorite smartphone app, choosing your food, and waiting for your dinner to arrive. However, you pay a premium for this convenience, either through monthly subscription fees or the delivery cost, or both.

Food delivery fees add up, especially if you don’t budget for these expenses over time. Delete the apps from your phone and start picking up meals from your favorite restaurants directly, the old-fashioned way. Or better yet, look up new recipes and cook at home.

13. Inexpensive Subscriptions

Cheap subscriptions that barely make a dent in your wallet are among the easiest bills to overlook. Spending $5 here and $7 there shouldn’t raise alarm bells on their own, but over time, these unnecessary bills add up. Cut them out of your life in 2024 and enjoy the newfound financial freedom that accompanies it.

Music streaming services and internet cloud storage platforms are the primary culprits contributing to this specific type of money drain. For example, say goodbye to Spotify; there are many free music platforms out there these days.