Everyday spending quickly adds up – sometimes eclipsing household income. As a result, most consumers share a desire to cut their cost of living. And though each person’s circumstances are unique, tried and true money-saving approaches yield gains for individuals and families of all sizes.
Frugal methods apply to various aspects of personal money management. Under some conditions, cost-cutting targets specific spending, in an effort to trim the cost of a particular item or service. In other cases, frugal philosophies are generalized, extending over widespread household spending decisions. When it comes to reducing your cost of living, each approach is valid, carving-out savings wherever they appear. If you are committed to reduce spending, use the following strategies to cut costs at home.
Change Household Habits to Reduce Spending
When it comes down to it, your personal habits have a tremendous influence on overall household spending. Once you resolve to improve your financial security and maintain a reasonable cost of living, look to your own behavior for savings opportunities. You might be surprised how much money you currently leave on the table.
Find Ways to Conserve – Household waste accounts for financial inefficiency, draining your budget with each ill-conceived spending decision. To make the most of your income, look for ways to conserve resources and reduce waste.
Energy and Utilities – Utility bills represent a significant share of household expenses, so efficient energy use is a hallmark of consistent savings. To get a handle on utility costs, start with the most expensive energy-user in your home, its heating and cooling system. Generating heat requires substantial energy input, so your winter heating bill is among the most expensive costs of living managed during cold weather. Likewise, air-conditioning draws significant electricity, so the cost of cooling your home can rise quickly in the summertime. Increased efficiency starts at the thermostat, where minor adjustments yield sizable gains. Without sacrificing comfort, it is now possible to use programmable thermostats to dial-in heating and cooling needs – even when you are not home to manually change settings.
Gasoline – The price of gas goes up and down, but mindful motoring yields savings, regardless of what it costs to fill your tank. To start saving money on gas, evaluate your current driving habits, with an eye toward efficiency. Do you make frequent short trips, which could be grouped for better fuel efficiency? Do you drive a gas-guzzler, setting you up for high fuel costs? Are ride-sharing opportunities available, to spread the cost of gas between like-minded travelers, headed in the same direction? For consistent fuel savings, plan your travels to avoid wasting gas and save money using public transit or carpooling.
Modify Expensive Behavior – Vices typically come with a price tag attached, so your bad habits may be draining your budget. In addition to the health-related costs of smoking, for instance, cigarettes themselves cost money. If you are a smoker committed to bringing down your cost of living, nixing tobacco provides an immediate source for savings. Similarly, drinking alcohol can be a costly pastime, so giving it up can spark financial gains.
Evaluate ‘Fixed’ Costs – Household spending most often falls into two categories. Discretionary purchases are those informed by a great deal of flexibility, prompting personal preference and consumerism to influence spending. Fixed costs, on the other hand, represent monthly sums owed over time, based upon prior purchasing decisions. Mortgages, car notes and other instalment loan payments typically fall into this category. Although ‘fixed’ by the conditions of each debt, the term can be misleading. These are not immovable sums, so it pays to periodically assess fixed costs, which may be refinanced or renegotiated to reflect better interest rates and repayment conditions. Closing costs and other expenses may cancel-out savings, so each financing opportunity must be evaluated on its own merits.
Household spending falls across wide-ranging consumer segments – each marked by money saving opportunities. If you are serious about reducing your cost of living; conserve, modify and evaluate personal spending. With a discerning eye and disciplined approach, you’ll quickly find “extra” money each month, accelerating your journey to financial security.