Look at you! You’re practically leaking money from your pockets, spending all that dough on name-brand medications, paper towels and toothbrushes. Check out a few common household items you could be paying too much for and stop that cash leakage.

Forbes.com knows where we’re hitting our pockets the hardest, and highlights a few items consumers could either cut back on or find a cheaper alternative for, in order to save some big bucks.

Name-brand medications: The recipes for aspirin and other pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are pretty basic, and buying a name brand version can be up to 40% more than generic. That’s just silly. Compare labels and active ingredients when making your choice of over-the-counter meds.

Buy refills for replaceable products: Is your liquid soap out? Don’t buy a whole new bottle and pay for that packaging — grab a big refill of your favorite detergents, soaps and cleaners and fill the dispenser back up.

Going gaga for gadgets: Electronics are pretty and shiny and make cool noises, but digital appliances become obsolete pretty fast. Instead of getting a new cool coffee maker every time the old one breaks, go analog and invest in a coffee press. It’ll always work!

Room fragrances and candles are money burners: Open a window if you don’t like the way your living room smells, or at least cut back on those cake-batter scented candles. Consumers spend more than $5 billion each year on room deodorizers, scented oils and candles.

Shampoo is money down the drain: That pretty fragrance in your hair is mostly getting washed out with the dirty water in your tub. Instead of buying the $20 bottle of cleanser at the salon, go for cheaper (and still nice-smelling!) store brands.

For more tips, check out Forbes.com.

What are some ways you cut down on household item costs in your home?

Household Items You’re Paying Too Much For [Forbes.com]

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