Maintaining a home is expensive. There are so many bills to keep track of, from the phone to utilities to cable TV. In addition, there are other expenses to keep in mind, such as food, car insurance, necessities for the kids, and entertainment.
Whether you are living on one paycheck or two, you can always use help with bills. If getting another job is out of the question, then you may want to consider adjusting you
r budget. Even the little things can help you save big. Here are nine easy ways to save money on household expenses.
1) Save on Your Food Expenses
Food is a huge expense in most households. It’s not uncommon for a family of four to spend close to $1,000 a month on groceries. The good news is that there are many ways to save money on this household expense, such as the following:
- Plan your meals based on weekly sales.
- Stick to your shopping list.
- Do some research and find out which local store has the best prices.
- Use coupons for items you buy often.
- Buy in season, when fruits and vegetables are the cheapest.
- Buy frozen or canned foods when fresh foods are too expensive.
- Stock up on foods that won’t expire when they are on sale.
- Make your meals instead of buying pre-packaged foods or eating out.
- Cook in bulk and eat leftovers.
2) Save on Your Beverage Expenses
Many people like to stop by Starbucks regularly or buy sodas from the gas station. These purchases not only add up, but they’re also unhealthy. Instead of spending money on beverages, drink water. You likely have free tap water at home, so use it! Keep a water bottle with you, so you always have a drink on hand when you’re thirsty. When you go out to eat, get water with your meal—it’s not only free, but it’s much healthier for you.
In need of a caffeine fix? Brew your coffee at home. You can get a whole container of ground coffee for the price of one Starbucks drink.
3) Save on Your Utility Expenses
Heating and cooling costs can be a huge expense for families—many pay hundreds of dollars a month. Try to keep your heater or air conditioning off for as long as possible. This can be difficult during the winter and summer months, but you may be able to stay comfortable with lower-cost options, such as portable fans and heaters.
Save money on your electricity bill by switching out your light bulbs. Changing your old lights to LED is simple, but your new lights will be more energy-efficient and last longer.
4) Save on Your Phone Expenses
Many people are saving money by getting rid of their home phones. If you have good cell phone service, why pay for a home phone that you rarely use?
When it comes to cell phones, get on a family plan. These plans aren’t limited to your household—you can even get on family plans with parents and siblings to save money. You can also save money by calling and asking for discounts. If you have been a customer for a long time, your provider is likely to oblige. Also, avoid upgrading your phone every year or so. Keep your phone for as long as possible.
5) Save on Your Cable Expenses
Many people are skipping cable TV altogether and opting for other services. This is one of the easiest ways to save money on household expenses because there are so many options for television. Netflix, Hulu, and Sling are streaming services that allow you access to great TV shows and movies. YouTube is also a great form of entertainment. There are a lot of news clips so you can keep up with current events. Plus, you can find reality TV, music videos, and more.
6) Save on Your Entertainment Expenses
While we would love to attend the hottest concerts and eat out at the fanciest restaurants, sometimes we have to make sacrifices. Instead of seeing a hot act, go to free concerts in your local area instead.
Visit the local library and check out books for free instead of buying them. Instead of taking the family to see a movie in the theater, wait until you can stream it.
Instead of a pricey vacation out of state, consider a staycation instead and check out local activities. Change things up with your meals.
Eat dinner outdoors on a sunny day or have a picnic at the lake or park. A change of pace can be inexpensive but exciting.
7) Save on Your Car Expenses
There are many ways to save money on household expenses, including your vehicles. Even if you don’t have a monthly car payment, maintaining a vehicle can be expensive, from registration to insurance to gas to repairs. The best thing you can do is keep your car well-maintained. Follow the maintenance schedule when it comes to things like oil changes and new tires.
Some maintenance you can do yourself if you have the skill and know-how, like changing the oil or installing new brakes. In any case, don’t overlook the maintenance, as this will keep your vehicle running longer.
You can also save money on gas. Bike or walk if possible. Driving slower will help you save gas, along with checking your tire pressure monthly.
When it does come time for you to buy a vehicle, purchase a used one. New ones may look better, but they’re much more expensive, and they lose value as soon as they are driven off the dealership lot. Skip the luxury brands as well. Save money by buying a used car like a Honda or Toyota.
8) Save on Your Housing Expenses
If you have a mortgage on your home, you may be able to benefit from lower interest rates. These rates fluctuate over time, so consider refinancing if you’re currently paying 4% or more. You may be able to reduce it to under 3%.
Another way to save money on your housing is to take the DIY approach. When something goes wrong and needs repair, try to fix it yourself. You can find videos on just about everything on YouTube. You can save hundreds of dollars even on simple repairs.
9) Save on Your Auto Insurance Expenses
When thinking of ways to save money on household expenses, don’t forget bills that you may not receive regularly. On average, Americans pay roughly $1,600 a year for car insurance. That’s more than $100 a month. This is a huge expense, but it’s required in almost all states, so there’s no getting around it.
However, there are many ways to save. You can increase your deductible. This is the upfront cost you will pay when you file a claim. By increasing your deductible from $200 to $1,000, you could save as much as 40%. You can also talk to your insurance agent and ask about discounts for loyalty, multiple vehicles, bundling, and safe driving.
Learn More with Power Finance Texas
Instead of getting another job or worrying about making more money, find ways to stop spending so much. There are so many ways to save money on household expenses. Power Finance Texas offers a wide variety of great blogs and financial solutions to help you save money and thrive.