As the everyday items we buy get more expensive, money gets tighter and tighter. And when your wallet gets squeezed, your budgeting gets harder to manage. It’s easy to feel like your finances are spinning out of control. If you’re looking for the best ways to save money each month, check out these five tricks. They’re simple to do and can help you keep your savings account in a little better shape each month.
Cancel that gym membership
Consider this: 67% of people never use their gym membership. And even if you’re part of the 33% who DO use their membership, you’re spending more money than you think. Even the “cheap” memberships, (like $20 a month), can blow your exercise budget. Activation fees, annual fees, yoga mat rentals, personal training, green “post-workout” smoothies… it all sucks money from your wallet. Instead, cancel your membership and go for a run. Buy some used weights and break a sweat at home. Get an exercise video and do the class in your basement. You’ll be surprised at the cash you can save.
Switch insurance/cut extraneous insurance costs
Raise your deductible on your car insurance. Skip roadside assistance. Take an honest look at your auto and home insurance and decide which coverage is a must for you and your life situation. Consider canceling anything that falls into the “nice to have” but not the “need to have” bucket. The line items are different for everyone, but the result is the same – more money in your savings account.
Lower your utility bills
This trick is a lot easier than you think. Think small. Little changes around the house can add up to big savings on your bill. Here’s a quick list of simple things you can do right now to help keep costs down:
- Take a shorter shower
- Swap out regular light bulbs for LEDs
- Do laundry during off-peak hours
- Run your dishwasher at night
- Weather strip your leaky windows
- Keep your thermostat at several degrees higher in the summer and several degrees lower in the winter
- Unplug appliances when they’re not in use
Lose cable
Netflix. Amazon Prime Video. Crave TV. It’s a streaming world. When you cut the cable cord and switch to a streaming service, you get rid of broadcasting fees, equipment fees and contracts. You have more choices for less money. A lot less money, actually. In fact, the average cord-cutter saves more than $1,200 a year.
Cancel subscriptions
Hidden expenses can blow budgeting in a heartbeat. And when it comes to expenses that are hard to track, recurring fees top the list. If you’re serious about cutting cash each month, you have to get a handle on your monthly subscriptions. Take inventory of everything you have. Which ones do you actually use? Which ones have you forgotten about? Those $1.99, $3.99 and $5.99 monthly fees add up in a hurry. Cancel everything you don’t use on a regular basis. You’ll be shocked by how much cash you can save.
Online payday loans
If you’ve cut costs and still find yourself struggling to make ends meet each month, Speedy Cash can help. Our flexible online loans can get you the cash you need the day you need it. Plus, there are no credit checks and no uncomfortable questions to answer when you apply. Simply go online to fill out the application. Apply now!
