How to Cut Costs Easily

By EverydayPie

Cutting your household expenses doesn't have to mean washing and re-using Baggies and living on rice and beans. (Unless, of course, you like washing Baggies and never get tired of rice and beans.) You can save some serious money with a few barely noticeable changes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

If you carry credit card debt and are a good customer (no late payments or overlimit charges), call and politely ask if your company will lower your rate. A 5% cut in your interest rate could save you hundreds (or thousands, depending on your level of debt) of dollars a year.

Step2

Look into "package deals." If you're willing to get your telephone, cable and Internet service all from one source, you might be able to score a deep discount. Check the providers in your area to see who's running a special.

Step3

Trim the fat. If you're paying for premium cable channels you never watch, cancel them. Put your cell phones on a family plan, or consider using pre-paid phones if you only need them for emergencies. Alternately, if you can't get enough of your cell phone, consider canceling your land line and relying on cell service alone.

Step4

Adjust the temperature. A two-degree difference on the thermostat can save you a chunk of change on your heating bills. Keep it a bit warmer in the summer and a bit cooler in the winter.

Step5

Cook and freeze. If you find yourself spending lots of money on lunch or dinner out, pick one day a week to cook a big batch of food and freeze it. Soup, stir-fry, and pasta dishes all keep well in the freezer, and you can grab one for a quick meal anytime.

Step6

Up your insurance deductible. This doesn't work for everyone, but if you're a generally safe driver with a little bit of savings accessible, consider bumping up your car insurance deductible to $500 or $1,000. This can substantially lower your monthly premiums.

Step7

Go generic. Target and Wal-Mart both feature $4 prescriptions on a host of generic drugs. This is lower than many insurance company co-pays. Check with your doctor to see if there's a generic version of a medication that would work for you. (Also look into mail-order delivery of your meds -- this can give you some significant savings, too.)