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The Spare Change Challenge: How Much Money Are You Wasting?

Introduction: We're going to ask you a number of different questions relating to your spending habits in fourteen main categories. After you've answered the questions, you'll be presented with data regarding how your wasteful spending habits are impacting your bottom line - both for today, and the future. Don't forget to add a badge if you enjoyed the quiz!

Question 1 of 42 (1 of 4 in housing)

Do you shut off the lights when leaving the house or not using them?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 housing

Question 2 of 42 (2 of 4 in housing)

Do you turn down or shut off heating or air conditioning when you don't really need it?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 housing

Question 3 of 42 (3 of 4 in housing)

Do you leave computers or televisions on when you're not using them?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 housing

Question 4 of 42 (4 of 4 in housing)

Do you have new, quality insulation in your house or apartment?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 housing

Question 5 of 42 (1 of 4 in transportation)

Do you have any extra weight in your car you could get rid of?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 transportation

Question 6 of 42 (2 of 4 in transportation)

Do you keep your car's tires well inflated?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 transportation

Question 7 of 42 (3 of 4 in transportation)

Are you part of a carpool, or do you take public transportation?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 transportation

Question 8 of 42 (4 of 4 in transportation)

Is your car up to date on tuning and maintenance?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 transportation

Question 9 of 42 (1 of 6 in food)

Do you bargain shop at the grocery store?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 food

Question 10 of 42 (2 of 6 in food)

Do you throw away a good portion of food, especially produce when you buy it?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 food

Question 11 of 42 (3 of 6 in food)

Do you have and use a membership to a warehouse club like Costco or BJ's?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 food

Question 12 of 42 (4 of 6 in food)

Do you buy only brand name foods?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 food

Question 13 of 42 (5 of 6 in food)

Do you sometimes bring lunch to work instead of going out to eat?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 food

Question 14 of 42 (6 of 6 in food)

Do you eat out more than you should?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 food

Question 15 of 42 (1 of 3 in insurance)

Have you comparison shopped for lower priced insurance in the past 6 months?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 insurance

Question 16 of 42 (2 of 3 in insurance)

Have you participated in any programs with your insurance company to reduce payments, like watching a safe driving video?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 insurance

Question 17 of 42 (3 of 3 in insurance)

Are you paying additional fees on insurance, such as collision insurance?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 insurance

Question 18 of 42 (1 of 1 in pensions)

Have you made sure you're getting the amount of pension/social security/government assistance you deserve?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 pensions

Question 19 of 42 (1 of 3 in healthcare)

If you are currently taking a brand name prescription drug, would you consider switching to generic?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 healthcare

Question 20 of 42 (2 of 3 in healthcare)

Are you paying for health coverage you don't or won't use (chiropractic, mental health, vision)?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 healthcare

Question 21 of 42 (3 of 3 in healthcare)

Have you looked into any prescription discounts from your pharmacy?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 healthcare

Question 22 of 42 (1 of 3 in entertainment)

Do you buy from the concession stands at the movies?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 entertainment

Question 23 of 42 (2 of 3 in entertainment)

When renting movies do you take advantage of rental plans, or online deals?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 entertainment

Question 24 of 42 (3 of 3 in entertainment)

Are you paying for cable channels you don't use?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 entertainment

Question 25 of 42 (1 of 3 in apparel)

Do you only purchase designer clothing?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 apparel

Question 26 of 42 (2 of 3 in apparel)

Would you be willing to shop at thrift stores or outlets?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 apparel

Question 27 of 42 (3 of 3 in apparel)

Can you or would you learn to sew or repair your own clothing?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 apparel

Question 28 of 42 (1 of 2 in cash)

Do you regularly pay more than your share when out with friends?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 cash

Question 29 of 42 (2 of 2 in cash)

Do you write off all your charitable donations on your tax returns?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 cash

Question 30 of 42 (1 of 3 in education)

Have you made sure you're paying the lowest rates on your student loans?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 education

Question 31 of 42 (2 of 3 in education)

If applicable, have you looked into all scholarships/grants you may qualify for?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 education

Question 32 of 42 (3 of 3 in education)

Do you bargain shop online for books and school supplies?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 education

Question 33 of 42 (1 of 4 in alcohol)

Do you buy bottom shelf instead of top shelf alcohol?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 alcohol

Question 34 of 42 (2 of 4 in alcohol)

Do you consume alcohol more than you should?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 alcohol

Question 35 of 42 (3 of 4 in alcohol)

Do you smoke?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 alcohol

Question 36 of 42 (4 of 4 in alcohol)

Do you brew your coffee at home instead of buying it from a coffee shop?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 alcohol

Question 37 of 42 (1 of 1 in misc)

Do you have miscellaneous expenditures that you think of you could live without?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 misc

Question 38 of 42 (1 of 3 in personal)

Do you get manicures or pedicures?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 personal

Question 39 of 42 (2 of 3 in personal)

Do you get expensive haircuts?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 personal

Question 40 of 42 (3 of 3 in personal)

Do you buy an excess of beauty products?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 personal

Question 41 of 42 (1 of 2 in reading)

Do you use the library instead of buying books?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 reading

Question 42 of 42 (2 of 2 in reading)

Do you occasionally purchase magazines, or have any subscriptions you don't need?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. N/A
 reading