Every household in the U.S. has been affected by increasing expenses. It seems like absolutely everything from gasoline to garbage bags has gone up in price as a result of the supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, environmental extremes, and strained international relations.
Every penny counts and it’s times like these that we have to get creative about tightening our budgets. Individually, small changes won’t seem like much, but altogether, they can add up to valuable savings. Some are super simple. Some take a little effort. All of them are worth it. Take a look at these 15 Ways to Cut Household Spending Now and see what you can do to help your budget breathe a little easier.
- Reduce energy costs by turning up your air conditioning by 10 degrees before you go out.
- Lower your entertainment expenses by subscribing to streaming services that include ads.
- Call and talk to your cell phone provider about unadvertised savings, bundling options, or cheaper plans.
- Check with your auto insurance for discounts. A good driving record or low-mileage commute can equal big savings, too.
- Spend some time looking for discounts on items you purchase regularly. There are websites and smartphone apps that will notify you when your products are on sale locally or online.
- If you have a membership you’re not sure you can do without, ask about pausing it so you can do a trial run without it or just save money temporarily without a full cancellation.
- Check your credit and bank accounts for apps the kids (or you) subscribed to and no longer use.
- Set child locks on your mobile devices to keep them from surprising you with new purchases.
- Cut the cable. Numerous apps and websites are available for streaming TV shows and movies for FREE!
- Lower your energy use by turning down your hot water heater. (Don’t go lower than 120°F though.)
- Browse the Sunday sales ads online! You no longer need a newspaper subscription to see what’s on sale. Go straight to the store website and browse their flyer there.
- Struggling with student loan payments? Don’t get behind and rack up late fees. Talk to them about extensions, deferrals, or other options for relief.
- Unplug unused appliances. Things like toasters, blenders, and lamps that you rarely use are still sucking up electricity while they’re plugged in.
- Run your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer at night when energy costs are lowest.
- Follow these tips for How to Spend Less on Gas for Your Car.
Don’t forget to keep tabs on your bills so you can see the fruits of your labor! A notebook or digital spreadsheet of your monthly income and expenses can help you stay on track.
