Tips to Save Money on Your Monthly Bills

You are ready to set a budget and take control of your financial destiny.  You start working out a plan to save money for retirement or to save for a vacation you’ve wanted to take.  When you are looking at places to increase your income to help you save, you should first make a list of your monthly bills to review.

These are regular bills that we think we have limited control over, like our electric bill, gas bill, internet, etc.  There are ways that you can cut back on monthly expenses though. Here are a few tips to help you cut down on your monthly household expenses.

Cable and Internet Bill

One of the most expensive bills in most households is the cable and internet bill.  These bills have crept higher and higher over the years with 37.1% of Americans paying over $100 a month.  Go over your cable bill very carefully.  Check for premium channels that you may not watch that often.

If you are committed to cutting expenses, you can cancel your cable service and opt for a streaming service only.  Companies like Sling and Playstation Vue offer live streaming television packages starting at just $20 a month. You also have the flexibility to select the channels you would like to have.

Electric Bill

You can save on your electric bill by making some small changes.  Committing to turning off the lights when you are not in the room or when you leave the house.  And making sure your family is following through with it.

You can also make changes to the temperature in the house.  Setting your thermostat just a couple degrees warmer in the summer and only a few degrees cooler in the winter can have an excellent effect on your bottom line at the end of the year.  You can also utilize an energy data management system, that can help you to improve and optimize your budget.

Grocery Bill

Saving money on groceries is surprisingly easier than you think.  Saving money takes a little bit of planning and organizing on your part.  The first step would be to get an accordion folder so that you can divide out your coupons by category.  There are tons of manufacturers coupons available online and in the circulars mailed out to you.

If you don’t have the circular, you can pull it up online where you shop.  Joining the loyalty program at the grocery store you primarily shop at is a great way to get extra savings. Next, you will want to try and plan out your meals for the week.  This will help you plan out what to buy and help you avoid the temptation of buying junk food and other things that cost lots of money.

Saving money is an essential part of any household.  Whether your goal is to pay off your debt or to save for a fun vacation, taking these small steps is a great start to helping secure your financial goals.