Now tell us: which creature comforts can you not do without?
We’re all Savinly Readers here, but we do enjoy a few indulgences.
Thermosoft International Corporation, a floor-heating company (yes, ironic), surveyed 1,000 Americans to discover which luxuries they can’t bear to part with.
Necessity or indulgence: you decide — but the study shows people aren’t ready to give these up, so we pulled together some Savinly tips to help you save on each.
1. The Internet
Some might call the internet essential, yet this poll classifies it as a luxury. On average, people spend about $600 yearly — roughly $50 each month — on internet service.
Savinly tip: Consider leaning on your smartphone. A Pew Research Center study from a few years back found one in five Americans access the web primarily via their phone. One writer even gave it a try.
Your mileage will vary depending on your circumstances and mobile carrier — but think it over. You may already use the internet at work all day, so download shows and movies there to use less data at home and take a break.
If you truly need home internet, try negotiating a lower rate. Alternatively, a free tool called Trim can haggle your internet bill down for you.
2. Smartphones
No shocker here.
Respondents reported spending an average of $1,060 per year on smartphones. Millennials favor this indulgence, though it seems everyone is attached to their devices these days.
Savinly tip: If you’re upgrading, sell your old phone on a site like Decluttr, which often returns some of the best prices. (We compared several resale platforms.)
Mobile service can add up as well. We’ve written about an affordable carrier called Twigby — plans begin at $9 a month. For instance, one person pays $24 monthly and still has a smartphone.
3. Pets
Ouch. Pets cost a lot, but they’re priceless emotionally.
Survey participants said they spend about $1,170 per year on pets (dogs and cats).
Savinly tip: Veterinary care is one of the biggest pet expenses. It’s not uncommon for owners to face a $2,000 to $4,000 bill for a serious emergency at some point.
Pet insurance can be a lifesaver — for your finances. For a monthly premium you can avoid being buried by unexpected emergency costs.
We reviewed several pet insurers and liked PetsBest and PetPlan. Both provide free quotes so you can estimate the cost to insure your companion.
4. Clothes Dryer
Also related:
- No. 8 Dishwasher
- No. 10 Microwave
Missing major appliances is reality for many people — and it’s a hassle. Finding savings on them can be tough.
Savinly tip: Hunt for used appliances. Last year, a Savinly contributor, Kimberly Marney, scored three high-end appliances for $700 total.
She explains how to get the best deals on these must-haves.
5. A Nice Mattress
Sleep matters, so it’s easy to see why this made the list.
- No. 9 A Large Mattress
You spend a big chunk of your life asleep, so we get it. Plus, there’s nothing like sprawling diagonally across a big bed. Still, mattresses aren’t cheap.
Savinly tip: President’s Day typically has the best mattress deals, according to our “Best Time to Buy” guide.
You can also shop around in stores to try them, then buy online to snag better pricing.
Look for retailers affiliated with Earny like Amazon, Macy’s, Overstock, Sears or Walmart. Earny is an automated assistant that can get you money back when a price drops.
For example, if you buy a mattress from Amazon (one colleague recommended this model) and the price falls from $289 to $249, Earny would return $40 — minus their 25% fee.
All you need to do is link your email account.
6. Domestic Travel
The average domestic trip cost reported was $581 — for one vacation a year. Want to travel more often? That adds up quickly.
Savinly tip: There are plenty of easy ways to cut travel costs.
Here are a few favorites:
- If you enjoy surveys and travel, try eMiles. You’ll earn points usable toward hotels and flights on big carriers like American, United and Southwest. The site claims users can save $20 to $30 in an hour. (Tip: sign up to get bonus points.)
- If you prefer cash back, book flights or hotels through Ibotta, a cash-back app. Currently you can get 4% back on Hotels.com or Booking.com bookings or $5 back via CheapOair, among other offers.
- If you’d rather earn points while going about your life, use a cash-back credit card to pay for travel. (That’s how one writer covers all their flights.) Many cards come with signup bonuses and no annual fee.
7. Beauty Products and Skincare
Survey respondents said they spend nearly as much on beauty and skincare as they do on travel — roughly $480 per year.
It’s easy for costs to climb if you want quality products.
Savinly tip: Shop at places like Sephora or Ulta where plenty of money-saving tactics apply.
We’ve outlined nine ways to save at Sephora and eight strategies to cut costs at Ulta.
Other comforts people aren’t willing to give up include dining out, buying organic produceandkeeping an Amazon Prime subscription.
Ava Monroe is a junior writer at Savinly. Luxuries she can’t live without include her rescue dog, a fitness club membership and regular manicures.
