Cost Cutting – 5 Ways To Reduce Your Bills Without Sacrificing Your Family’s Needs

Cost Cutting – 5 Ways To Reduce Your Bills Without Sacrificing Your Family’s Needs

Life was challenging enough pre-2020, now that the coronavirus pandemic is in full swing; it’s much harder for many people to make ends meet. It may be that your job is on hold or that you’ve lost it altogether. Whatever the case, COVID-19 is forcing us all to cut back where we can; in hopes of being better placed for the uncertainties that surround the post-pandemic future. Below, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to reduce your bills without sacrificing your family’s needs.

1. Check Your Employee Benefits

If you or a family member needs medical, dental, or optical care; check with your employer to see if such benefits are available to you. If not, it’s possible to get affordable dental cover (and other tailored health plans) on your own that will cover things like fillings, teeth cleanings, and more.

Check your company’s HR website and consult your employee handbook; you may come across some beneficial perks you weren’t aware of, like free or discounted products and services.

2. Do Some Energy-Efficiency Maintenance

By conducting some simple energy-efficiency tasks around your home, you can drastically reduce your monthly utility bills. Replace old light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs, install a programmable thermostat, and seal your home to prevent leaks.

Once you’ve installed a new thermostat, program it to turn your climate control on and off to match your schedule. There’s no need for the air conditioning to run non-stop if you’re not home. Making these adjustments can save you money without impacting your comfort at all.

3. Switch Phone Plans

If you are currently under contract for your phone; but find that you don’t use it as much as you could. It might make more sense to downgrade your plan or switch to a pay-as-you-go option instead. Many of the biggest mobile phone providers are jumping on the pay-as-you-go bandwagon. So, check with yours to find out if they offer one that will suit your family’s needs for less. Even if you’re in a lock-in contract, many providers are making exceptions due to the pandemic. So, it’s always worth seeing if there’s any wiggle room.

4. Buy In Bulk

Many people shop for the things they need without giving much thought to the price per unit. For the majority of shoppers, buying the most convenient size makes the most sense; no matter how much more they are paying for the convenience.

To save money, try buying in bulk. Think household cleaners, laundry soap, paper towels, toilet paper, and other non-perishable goods. Avoid buying in bulk anything with an expiration date unless you know you’ll use it up before it goes bad.

5. Unplug Electronics When You’re Not Using Them

Many electronics continue to draw power, even in standby mode. Called “vampire power,” this drain can add to your monthly electric bill without you even knowing it. For noticeable savings each month, unplug any electronic devices you aren’t using. Even if you use that PlayStation every day, unplug it when you’re done playing. Plug it back in again the next time you’re in the mood for a little gaming.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, times are financially tough these days for many people. If you’re looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing your family’s needs, try some of the tips listed above. With just a little effort and time on your part; you can begin seeing savings that will help you make ends meet each month.