According to a recent study, nearly 4 in 10 Americans now struggle to pay their bills. While this can seem daunting, it is important that instead of panicking, you find a proactive way to get on top of your bills once again. After all, this will allow you to reach financial stability, meaning you’re no longer worrying about outgoing expenses!
Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some tips that you can use to get on top of your monthly bills.
Figure out where you can cut back. When it comes to saving money on your bills, it’s important that you’re able to separate necessary expenses from unnecessary ones. For example, non-negotiable expenses include rent, groceries and utilities.
Those that are up for debate include subscription services like Netflix or Hulu! Take a close look at your outgoing bills, and figure out whether you could go without some of them for the time being!
Sometimes, when you go to cancel a subscription, the service provider will offer you an exclusive discount (often for 3-6 months) in order to retain your custom.
Know when to get help. When you’re struggling with bills and feel as though they are simply piling on top of each other, you may be determined to find a way out on your own. While this is admirable, it’s important to note that sometimes, you’ll need outside help. For example, if you’re late on mortgage payments and facing foreclosure, then reaching out to a foreclosure defense attorney is necessary. After all, they’ll be able to guide you through each stage of the process, ensuring that both your best interests and finances are protected.
Get better at budgeting. More often than not, the reason why a person struggles to cover their bills can be attributed to poor money management. As a result, now is the perfect time to start taking budgeting seriously, which means you need to hold yourself accountable on a daily basis. If, like many others, this is something that you struggle with, try downloading a budgeting app or writing down a list of things you’ve bought or purchased. While this may seem unnecessary, studies have shown that this kind of visual aid encourages you to be more mindful of your spending, which reduces the chances of you going over budget!
Use price comparison websites. When it comes to cutting down on your spending, you should make sure that you arne’t paying a single penny more than you need to in regard to your bills. The easiest way to achieve this goal is to use price comparison sites, which allow you to check the prices of all manner of bills, from car insurance to utilities so that you can be sure you are getting the best possible price. When switching to a different provider, be sure to let them know that you have found a better price (or overall deal) elsewhere, as they may match this offering (or provide you with an even better way) so that you remain a loyal customer, helping you to save even more money!
