One mistake many beginners make with AWS is assuming nothing will happen if they stop using it.
In 2023, I opened an AWS account and deployed a small React app just to explore the console. After that, I left the account untouched for months.
When I returned in 2024 to take cloud learning seriously, my free tier had already expired. I logged in and saw a $30 bill.
The amount wasn’t huge, but the lesson learned was important.
I didn’t intentionally leave anything running. I simply didn’t understand which AWS services continue to cost money when you don’t turn them off.
After reaching out to AWS support and explaining my situation, it was resolved. That experience changed how I approach cloud learning.
Cloud knowledge is not only about deploying services. It’s also about knowing what to stop, delete, and shut down.
This lesson came from my own early mistakes while learning AWS, and it’s one that many beginners don’t realize until they see a bill.
That’s why I started creating content to help beginners understand AWS billing, Free Tier limits, and simple cleanup habits that prevent surprise charges.
If you prefer videos, I’ve created guides on:
If you prefer reading, this article breaks it down clearly: The Hidden Challenges of Building with AWS
One habit that saves money: After every lab or test, spend five minutes checking EC2, RDS, Lambda, and S3 before logging out. That small habit can prevent surprise charges.
Key takeaway: In AWS, learning what to turn off is just as important as learning what to deploy. Always review and clean up your resources after every experiment.
Discussion question: Which AWS service do you always double-check before logging out, or which one worries you the most about unexpected costs?
Drop your answer in the comments.
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Top comments (1)
Consider that $30 a tuition fee for the University of Cloud Computing. We have all been there! 😅
It is honestly terrifying how easy it is to leave "zombie resources" running. Orphaned EBS volumes and idle NAT Gateways are silent wallet killers.
I’ve started treating my cloud experiments like perishable food: if I’m not consuming it right now, I throw it out immediately. Great write-up on the lessons learned!