5 Luxuries to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Not Netflix)

When money gets tight, it’s time to take some cost-cutting measures.

Whether a secondary income was lost, business is down, an industry is going through a temporary lull, or unexpected expenses have slipped through the cracks, cutting certain luxuries will keep you afloat.

Here are 5 luxuries to cut when money gets tight.

#1. Food Delivery Services

If you’re like me, you love the convenience of food delivery services, whether it be your groceries or any meal throughout the day.

Food deliveries streamline your day, allowing you to get more done while someone else shops for you or gathers your food.

However, food delivery services are quite pricy and can take a toll on your wallet if kept unchecked.

When money gets tight, you’ll want to cut these services immediately.

Going to the grocery store and going through the drive-thru will become a new norm again, even if it’s only temporary until your discretionary income goes up again.

Did you know that using DoorDash is significantly more expensive than not using it, typically costing 40% to 91% more than ordering directly from a restaurant?

A $12 meal can easily become a $30+ order due to inflated menu prices (10% – 30% higher), service fees, delivery fees, and driver tips.

#2. Mobile Car Detailing

Mobile car detailing services are awesome.

They show up to your house, they know exactly what package you need for your vehicles, saving you time and allowing you to get things done at home.

However, there is a cost to these premium services.

When money gets tight, opt in for a drive-thru car wash ($10 – $15) or handwash from home (free).

A simple basic carwash with tire dressing, and interior vacuum, on both my cars for example costs $70.

It’s more cost efficient to take a car through the drive-thru, bring it back to the garage, clean off any excess water spots, do the tire dressing and vacuum myself, saving $600 – $1,200 annually.

Then there’s the option of washing it yourself at home.

#3. Downgrade Your Car Note

Speaking of cars, it might be the reasonable thing to downgrade your car note for something much more affordable.

If you owe money on your car, but have equity in it, you have leverage.

I was paying $1,550 per month for my 2024 BMW M4 Competition. The only reason I gave myself this luxury is because I was earning upwards of $40K – $70K per month at the time.

However, when the landscape changed, I had to pivot and opt-in for something more reasonable given the changes I was experiencing.

Thankfully, I had equity of just under $10K. I sold the car, had additional liquid capital in my bank account, and found an incredible X3 for nearly three quarters less of what I was paying for my sports car.

When money gets tight, identify how you can get another great set of wheels at a fraction of what you’re currently paying.

#4. Revisit Your Subscriptions

When money gets tight, revisit your subscriptions and cancel memberships you don’t actively use.

It doesn’t mean you have to cancel Netflix, but if you have other subscriptions charging you monthly passively without you knowing (or using those services), cancel them immediately.

A $10 – $15 hidden monthly subscription fee can save you $120 – $180 annually alone, and that’s only one subscription, imagine having four.

That’s $480 – $720 per year! Money you can be investing in stocks, mutual funds, a money market account, or into starting a new side hustle.

When my digital business asset was hit by a changing landscape, I had to remove not only business subscriptions and add-ons, but also personal memberships I could live without temporarily.

#5. Credit Card Spendings

This one might be hard for most Americans, given that approximately 216 to 217 million American adults (roughly 81% of the adult population) own at least one credit card as of late 2025/early 2026, according to Academy Bank.

It’s easy to swipe for a simple want while out at the stores, but this compounds over time leading to a growing debt ball.

When money gets tight, pay off your credit card completely if you’re able to and refrain from using it for consumer purchases.

Keeping it active for fuel or smaller ticket spendings to work on and increase your credit score is completely fine.

If you can’t pay off your credit card, keep making payments on it, but refrain from further growing your debt.

You’ll find you might actually be spending more money on unnecessary things than you were aware about!

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