Sometimes, it seems as if there is never enough money. But, if we look closer, we might realize that we have more than we think. The problem is that we fritter away a good portion of what we take home.
In fact, experts predict most Americans simply squander 10% to 15% of their salary. This is ironic since experts also tell us that saving 10% to 15% of our income is enough to provide for a pretty comfortable retirement. By re-examining our expenses we can trim the fat from our budget and strengthen our finances. Don’t know where to cut the fat? Start with these expenses:
Gym memberships
Be honest. How often do you really use your gym membership? If you’re like many people, you fork over money every month, without ever setting foot inside your gym. Even if you are shedding the pounds and packing on the muscle, there are often ways you can do it for less. I, for instance, joined Planet Fitness, a national health club chain. Planet Fitness provides you access to a complete line of fitness equipment for only $10 a month, much cheaper than the $65 per month I was shelling out at my previous gym. Over a year, I saved more than $600.
Bank fees
According to some experts, American families shell out over $2000 a year in fees alone. Large banks are the worst fee predators. Save hundreds per year simply by switching from fee infested banks to low cost credit unions. Not only do credit unions generally charge fewer fees, they also offer better interest rates on savings accounts. More importantly, credit unions provide lower interest rates on auto and mortgage loans, a benefit that could save you tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
Cable bills
Do you really need 150 channels of television? In many areas, extended cable can set you back $100 a month or more. And if you’re like me, your busy schedule may not even provide you with enough time to take advantage of cable television.
But, there are cheaper alternatives to expensive cable packages. Devices such as Roku and Apple TV allow you to broadcast internet television shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime onto your television, all for a fraction of the price of extended cable. Supplement with cheap Redbox DVDs or DVDs from your local library and you could say goodbye to extended cable forever.
Cell phone bills
We’re addicted to our cell phones, but that addiction comes with a high price tag. But, you can lower your costs. First, analyze your bill. You may find that you’re not using all of your minutes, or using far less data than you imagined. In such cases, you can save money by switching to a different data or minutes plan. If several members of your family have a cell phone, consider a family plan which could save you 30% or more. Finally, check with your employer. Many offer discounts on cell phone service. I saved 23% off of my ATT cell phone bill by using such an employee discount.
Utilities
Your home is literally sucking money from your bank account. Make simple changes to tame your utility bills and you’ll save thousands each and every year.
Take your water heater, for instance. While many are set at 140F, you can save money and still enjoy hot showers by reducing your water heater temperature to 120F. And for an older water heater, placing insulating wrap around it will lower your bills even further.
Other minor changes can save you significant cash as well. Appliances that are plugged in but not turned on, for instance, still draw power and account for 10% of your home energy use. Simply unplugging or purchasing special power strips could save you a few hundred dollars a year. Program your air conditioner to turn off during the day when you’re not home and remember to change or clean your air conditioning filters. Replace your standard light bulbs with more energy efficient compact fluorescent lights and save even more money.
BMWK, these are just a few ideas to get you started. How do you trim the fat from your budget?