With upgrade offers left and right, who can resist? Hey, just $90 for a new car model (oh, and $37 insurance, but who's counting really)? A new cushy sectional that is sure to pull your entire living room together doesn't sound bad at all for an extra $60 a month. What's another $23 to your monthly bill for HD TV channels and better internet connection?
However, you won't even realize that you're sinking in bills until you face them by the end of the month; the stress and headache are the last thing you need.
Here are 5 foolproof ways to lower your living expenses according to Realty Times:
Renegotiate everything
It won't hurt to ask for a better cable/satellite deal, or a more practical phone and cellphone plan, bank fees, or even your gym membership! You never know what perks and discounts are available out there to help you lower your expenses.
Cut the cord
Enjoy your favorite shows, the latest movies, and more for a price better than your cable and satellite can offer. "Netflix and Hulu Plus both cost $7.99 per month each, while Amazon Instant Video will cost you $99 per year, which is $8.25 per month," said GottaBe Mobile. "This means the total cost for these three services all together would be $24.23 per month, which is a lot less than you'll ever pay for a cable subscription."
Eat in
How does $3000 worth of annual savings sound to you? Jeff Yeager who authored The Cheapskate believes that's how much a household who'd commit to eating at home can save and even enjoy and eat just as well compared to eating out.
Car pool
"The Daily Green calculated that the average American uses about 7 gallons of gas per week commuting to and from work," said abc News. "Share your ride and the gas bill with just one friend, you each save $650 a year. If four of you carpool, you each save nearly $1,000."
Shop smart
Nobody wants to go hungry in the middle of the night and open an empty fridge. But that doesn't mean that you go crazy in the grocery and end up throwing away food that has gone bad. According to USA Today, Americans waste $640 worth of food annually. By shopping smart, you don't only avoid wasting food, you are also sure with the freshness of your meats, veggies, and dairies.
