19 Bills to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Most People Ignore #11)

When money gets tight, most people cut the obvious things and leave the quiet ones alone. The quiet ones are where the money goes: auto-renewals, old rates nobody renegotiated, and fees you stopped noticing. Work down this list with your last two bank statements open.

1. 1. Subscriptions you forgot about

   Search your statements for anything that renews monthly or yearly. If you haven't used it in the last 30 days, cancel it. You can always sign up again.

2. 2. Full price at the pump and the grocery store

   Gas and groceries are the bills you can't skip, which makes cash back on them one of the few savings that repeats every week.

3. 3. A home insurance policy you never shopped

   Premiums have climbed in most states, and many people auto-renew without comparing. Shopping once a year is often the fastest way to cut a bill you can't cancel.

4. 4. Your internet promo that quietly expired

   Call your provider, ask what new customers are paying, and ask them to match it. If they won't, ask for the retention department.

5. 5. A phone plan built for someone else

   Prepaid carriers run on the same major networks for a fraction of the price. Check how much data you actually use before you pay for unlimited.

6. 6. Tax penalties that keep growing

   An unanswered IRS notice or a return you've been avoiding gets more expensive every month. Getting an answer early is cheaper than waiting.

7. 7. Bank fees

   Monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees and out-of-network ATM fees are all avoidable. Plenty of banks and credit unions charge none of them.

8. 8. Extended warranties

   Most electronics and appliances are covered by the manufacturer for the period when they're most likely to fail. Credit cards often extend that coverage for free.

9. 9. Heating and cooling that leaks out the windows

   Drafty windows and doors make your furnace and AC work harder all year. Many utilities offer a free home energy audit, and weatherstripping costs a few dollars a window.

10. 10. Takeout on autopilot

    Delivery fees, service fees and tips can double the price of a meal. Cooking two big batches a week covers most weeknights.

11. 11. The spare minutes you already have

    This is the one most people skip. It isn't a bill, but it cuts the gap between what you earn and what you owe. Market research companies pay for your opinions, and a few surveys during TV time or your commute add up over a month.

12. 12. A car insurance deductible that's too low

    If you have an emergency fund, raising your deductible can lower your premium noticeably. Ask your insurer for quotes at two or three levels.

13. 13. The thermostat

    A smart or programmable thermostat set a few degrees lower while you sleep or are away is one of the cheapest utility cuts there is.

14. 14. High credit card interest

    If you're carrying a balance, the interest is a bill too. Comparing cards can turn up lower rates or a balance transfer offer that fits your credit.

15. 15. The gym you don't go to

    Cancel the membership and use free workouts at home or outside for two months. If you miss it, rejoin knowing you'll use it.

16. 16. Name brands

    Store brands of staples like flour, cleaning supplies and medicine are often made in the same factories as the name brands.

17. 17. Streaming, books and movies you can get free

    Your library card likely includes ebooks, audiobooks and streaming movies through apps like Libby and Kanopy.

18. 18. Overdraft fees before payday

    One overdraft fee can cost more than the purchase that caused it. If you keep coming up a few days short, a small advance is usually cheaper than the fee.

19. 19. A phone that could be earning for you

    Some research apps reward you just for letting them measure how you use your phone in the background.

You don't need to do all 19 this week. Pick the three biggest numbers on your statement and start there.