This tip might seem like a no brainer but I think sometimes we overlook them or even forget about some of the things we pay for so hopefully this is a good reminder.
Tip #5 Save Money This Year by dropping unused services.
I think the best way to see what you are really spending a month is to take a look at your credit card bills. If you save them grab all of last years- because some of the things you pay for are yearly and others (probably most) are monthly. Find a highlighter and highlight all the services you could do with out, or cut down. Then take a look at phone bills and other monthly bills, make sure you are using everything you are paying for.
Some of these might be:
:: Cell phone and texting– This one is two sided, first if you are not using your texting service or all your cell minutes you should downgrade to a lower plan. But if you are going over you actually may save money by upgrading- this way you are not paying per minuter charges, which are more expensive.
::Home phone– are you using your home phone? We were not, but we still felt better about keeping it for emergencies so we downgraded to the lowest local plan. In the end, with all the crazy taxes and charges it is around $15 a month (vs around $40). We only use it for 1800 numbers and incoming calls (which we get very few of)
::Security System– these are very nice and all, but if you never remember to turn it on why have it? You may have to wait until your contract ends to be able to stop this service.
::The Gym– no explanation there 🙂
::Online Memberships– have you signed up for online forums that cost and you never visit any more or other services online (that my automatically draft for a new year)? Make sure you are getting your $$$ worth, and if not cancel.
:: Warehouse Stores– if you don’t buy much at Costco is there really much savings in that huge package of TP when membership costs $60 a year. Check how many times you went last year and how much you saved. If the savings don’t outweigh the cost of the membership fee you should cancel.
So those are a few to get you going- what other services and fees could we drop this year to save more money?
See the rest of the tips here.
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