10. Lottery or gambling: 6.82%
6.82% wasted cash on gambling expenditures.
For some of these wasted expenditures, the best option is to go cold turkey. Giving up cigarettes, for example, could extend your life, reduce your healthcare costs, and save you as much as $1 million to $2 million over the course of your life. Other habits, like eating out, aren’t as dangerous, and you can reduce costs while still getting to enjoy a bite out. You can save, for example, by buying discount gift cards around the holidays (you can usually get deals like a free $25 for every $100 in gift cards you buy) or from services like Restaurant.com. You could also go for a late lunch, which is usually cheaper, or split a bunch of appetizers instead of opting for a more expensive entree.
