Need More Room In Your Budget? Try These Tips

If so, here are some easy-to-implement tips to help get those costs under control without sacrificing much.

Spend $10 Less on Takeout

Whether it’s due to COVID-19 or convenience, many people are ordering takeout nowadays to feed their families. Doing so is a lot more expensive than cooking your own meals and isn’t advised if you’re looking to save, but you can do the following to make takeout less expensive: Call in your order.

A survey of 2,000 restaurant customers found that picking up a phone can save $3 to $10 per order compared to going online. Why? Because if you use an app or website to order, it’s a lot easier to add impulse items due to upsells, pop-ups, and more. However, when talking on the phone, you usually have to be quick and already know what you want.

Avoid Payment Fees

Have you ever paid a bill over the phone? You may have in the past because you forgot about the bill until the last second, which forced you to make that call.

While talking to a customer service agent over the phone can help you pay a bill at the last minute, it can be costly. For example, Spectrum Cable will charge you $5 for making a payment over the phone using a live person, and Verizon Wireless will charge $7. Both are ridiculous amounts that you can avoid by paying in person, paying online, or using an automated service when using your phone. Whatever you do, don’t pay using someone. And if you do, ask if there’s a charge first.

Cut Your Amazon Costs

Have you been using Amazon a lot lately? You probably have, as the online giant is the shopping choice for many consumers due to its convenience and quick shipping. But the fact that Amazon is so convenient can be a budget-buster, especially if you use 1-click checkout.

As its name suggests, 1-click lets you place an order with minimal effort. While this may be quick and painless if you’re in a rush, a study from Iowa State University found that those who avoid 1-click spend less on Amazon.

What’s the reason for less spending? Because when you have to move an item to your online shopping cart, it gives you time to reconsider the purchase. With 1-click, that critical step is skipped.

If you don’t think eliminating 1-click from your Amazon setup will make a difference, know this: Studies show that shoppers change their minds 70 percent of the time, so you probably will too.

Avoid Autopay

Setting up autopay can keep you from forgetting to pay bills on time, which can keep your credit score from tanking. But autopay comes with a downside: It can keep you from closely analyzing your bills.

For instance, if you have your utility bill on autopay, you may not look at your usage. And if you fail to see that you’re using a ton of electricity, you won’t adjust your thermostat, take quicker showers, etc., to cut your monthly costs. In addition, you may be charged unjustly on particular bills, which will pass by undetected if autopay is live.

What’s the better option for paying bills? Instead of autopay, use the company’s website to make your payments manually or send in a check. By doing so, studies say you can save four to six percent on your bills, which can translate to up to $72 savings annually for a bill that’s $100 per month.