If you find your wallet or bank account a bit light at the end of the month, you might be needlessly spending money that you can easily save. Here are some ways to trim dollars from your monthly expenses so you can keep them where they belong, in your bank.
Ditch the Gym
Unless you are actually going several times a week, you probably can cut the gym membership. If you just want to stay fit, you don’t need machines to do it. Stay active by doing activities such as bicycling, kayaking, or swimming in the summer, or cross-country skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Of course, if you absolutely need to lift weights look for a community recreational center or YMCA, which are always cheaper than big-box gyms.
Re-Negotiate Your Internet Bill
You may be paying for too much internet if you are not using it to full capacity. If you rarely use the internet or only do such things as send an email and read the news, you probably only need the lowest tier of service. Call and ask to switch plans with your current provider. Even if you are a heavy internet user, it can’t hurt to call and ask to re-negotiate a price, especially if you are a long-time subscriber.
Take Another Look at Your Phone
If you are paying an exorbitant amount towards your mobile phone bill each month, check out some of the prepaid plans that are out there. You can save upwards of 50% depending on what plan you choose. If you really want to be aggressive about phone savings, opt for a free VoIP service. Many of them have apps so you can still use your phone as you normally would or you can talk to whomever while using your computer.
Refinance Your Student Loans
If you have multiple payments to make on your student loans because you have borrowed from various lenders, why not take a few minutes and apply for a loan so that you can refinance them? The loans will be combined into one payment with easy monthly payment options. This can save you money not only interest rates but on missed or late payment fees as well.
Optfor the Free Versions
Instead of paying for full-priced streaming entertainment options, why not opt for the free versions instead. Many top-level streaming services offer their product for free in exchange for sitting through some commercials. There are also many second-tier services whose entire business model is built this way. Think of it this way, you can use the commercial time to take a restroom break, grab a snack, or respond to texts that may have come in while you were watching that movie or listening to music. It’s definitely worth saving money for that trade-off.
Don’t Grocery Shop at Convenience Stores
Keep away from buying food at your local convenience store. They will always be higher priced than a traditional grocery store, even when you factor in coupons or loyalty discounts. Plan your trips to the grocery store, make a list of what you need, and get everything that is available while you are there.
