Remember when you were a kid, and someone took your lunch money? Whether it was a school bully or just a bad decision at the vending machine, that small amount felt like a big deal. Fast forward to adulthood, and the same thing is happening—but this time, we’re the ones giving it away without even realizing it.

The Silent Money Drains

Most of us don’t intentionally waste money, yet small, everyday decisions chip away at our finances. Here are some of the biggest culprits:

1. Subscription Overload – Gym memberships we rarely use, streaming services we forgot about, and “free trials” that auto-renew. A few dollars here and there add up fast.
2. Dining Out & Coffee Runs – That $5 coffee or $15 lunch may not seem like much, but over a month, it can total hundreds.
3. Impulse Buying – Flash sales, social media ads, and checkout line temptations make us spend without thinking.
4. ATM & Banking Fees – Those small $3-$5 ATM fees or overdraft charges are just money out the window.
5. Unused Groceries – How much food do we throw away each week? Wasted groceries are wasted money.

Taking Back Control

To stop losing your “lunch money,” start tracking where your cash goes. A budgeting app (like Insights inside your CentricCU app) or even a simple notebook can reveal surprising habits. Cancel unused subscriptions, plan meals, and set spending limits for non-essentials.

Ultimately, every dollar you keep is a dollar working for you—not vanishing into the unknown. It’s time to take back your lunch money and put it where it truly belongs: building your future.