While cutbacks are never fun, in today's economy it's often necessary to trim the fat from monthly expenses to keep your head above financial water. 'THV This Morning' is working for you and we found a list on Shine from Yahoo! that will save you big in the long term.
Review Your Rent
Think about how you might be able to cut that large payment down. Could you find a cheaper place, move in with a roommate, or rent out your spare bedroom? If not, or if you want to stay in your current place, practice your negotiation skills: When you get your annual notice of a rent increase, talk to your landlord about lowering it.
Save On Utilities
Most utility companies offer reduced rates and energy assistance programs for low-income households, and if you've taken a major pay cut or you're going without an income for a while, you may qualify. Don't be afraid (or embarrassed) to call your providers to check-a little bit off your bill each month can add up to a lot in the long run.
Cut Down on Cable
Ditching your premium cable package can easily save you $100 each month. Cancel your cable service and cozy up with your computer instead. Hulu and Netflix offer plenty of entertainment to fill your lazy Sunday, for a fraction the cost.
Be Frugal About Food
Stop eating out! Nothing blows a tight budget faster than $12 cocktails and 20% service charges. If you don't love to cook, try this: At the beginning of the week, make a big one-dish meal like chili or stir-fry. It's fast, it's cheaper than takeout, and it's easier to say no to dinner invitations when there's food waiting in your fridge.
Put Your Gymming On Hold
Cut out a hefty monthly fee by cancelling your expensive gym membership. There are lots of other options for free workouts-go hiking or running outside, or join a weekly sports team.
Keep an Eye on Auto-Payments
Auto-payments have a sneaky way of going unnoticed. Between Netflix, magazines, bike shares, Zipcar, and Amazon Prime, it's easy to lose track of the hundreds of dollars every month that automatically come out of your account. So, review your credit card statements from the last year for any regular payments, and think carefully about which services you really need.
Never Go Uninsured
The one service you should never cancel is health insurance. Yes, it may be a lot of money out of pocket every month, but it can save you in the long run: One of the easiest ways to rack up enormous debt is through medical expenses.
You can find more ways to slash your expenses by clicking here.