Consolidate Debts 

• Lower your cell phone bill by downgrading your plan if you don’t need all you are paying for.
• Don’t outsource household services when possible.
• Stop tithing, at least temporarily. Most religious groups are supportive of this if you need time to get...

If you’re paying for whole life insurance or universal life insurance, consider a cheaper term policy instead. The cost per year will be significantly less expensive – even if you buy similar coverage.

The only difference is, your policy will terminate eventually with term coverag...

Ask at work about your available options that might reduce your insurance costs, and look into family options if you have one.

To lower monthly premiums, consider a high deductible health insurance plan. Just be sure to weigh the expected savings against the additional ...

• Cook large batches of food, freeze for later meals and take some for lunch at work.
• Reduce or stop eating out or getting take-out. Instead, find options to make dining at home more convenient.
• Buy non-perishable items in bulk and use coupons. 

Refinance your home or automobile at a lower rate to save money over the life of the loan and lower your monthly payment.

If your student loans are locked in at a high-interest rate, figure out whether it makes sense to consolidate all or some of them.

Look for items you no longer use that may have value, then sell them online. You can then use the money you bring in to pay off debt. 

Compare childcare options in your area or try to reduce your existing childcare by a day or two — for instance, look into a nanny-share arrangement, ask for your family’s help or try working a later shift so you can be home during the day.

You can also reduce or eliminate ...

Research your options. You may save money and maintain your current level of coverage by changing insurance, but give your current service a chance to match quotes.

You can also bundle your homeowners and auto policies together, most insurance companies give discount...

Country clubs, gyms, cable, newspapers, and magazines are some of the things that people often sign up to but rarely use. Try canceling any memberships you’re on the fence about, and see if you really miss them.

Also, look at the services you pay for monthly and think if their cos...

You’ll save far more if you don’t buy a car or sell it if you already own one but can go without it.

If you can use public transportation, you can save quite a bit of money on gas, parking, and maintenance over time. 

• Install CFL or LED light bulbs, if you haven’t yet. These bulbs can be four times more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs and last for many years.
• Install a programmable thermostat so you can optimize its usage.
• Unplug unused electrical devices. 

If you have a large balance on your credit card, call your credit card company and request a rate reduction. If you often pay on time, they may be willing to negotiate, or you can get a 0% balance transfer onto another card.

Many installment plans offer an interest rate reduction ...

If you’re paying a large premium in order to have a small deductible, you might want to consider switching that, particularly if your claims are infrequent. Raising your deductible may reduce your annual premiums, easing the monthly strain on your bills.