New parents are often told to cut back on expenses, especially if they’re planning on raising their child as an only child. But new parents don’t have to sacrifice on everyday essentials just because they’re a family of three instead of a family of five. There are plenty of little-known ways families can save an additional $100 per month — and more. If you’re ready to make some sacrifices so that you and your partner can get out of debt and enjoy life together in the future, then reading through these tips will help you get started today. These small changes add up quickly over time, which means that by making them as soon as possible, you’ll be able to see results much faster than if you wait even a few months before implementing them in your life.
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Consolidate Your Credit Cards
Credit cards can be incredibly useful in an emergency, but they can also be dangerous if you don’t use them responsibly. If you have a significant amount of debt, it’s important to consolidate your credit cards to take advantage of a lower interest rate and get your debt paid off faster than you would with a single credit card with a high monthly payment. You can use a credit card debt repayment calculator to see how long it would take you to pay off your debt with a single card versus with a combination of several cards. When you consolidate your credit cards, you’ll be able to see a significant drop in your interest rate, which will help you get out of debt faster — and with less money out of your pocket. You’ll also be able to track your progress on a single monthly payment, which can be helpful when you’re trying to stay motivated to reach your goal.
Pay Off Your Debt ASAP
It’s good to be able to save money every month, but it’s also important to get out of debt as quickly as possible. If you have a significant amount of debt, it might make sense to put extra money towards your payment each month instead of saving it for retirement or other long-term savings. This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s important to remember that interest rates are often much higher on credit card debt than they are on savings account interest. Choosing to pay off your debt as soon as possible will save you a significant amount of money in the long run. You might even consider taking a side hustle to put even more money towards your debt every month. It might be a short-term sacrifice, but it will pay off in the long run.
Stop Receiving Invoices/Monthly Bills
Whenever you move into a new house, one of the first things you should do is figure out which utilities you need and which ones you don’t. If there are any that you don’t need, stop receiving those invoices and monthly bills immediately. It might seem like a small amount of money, but every little bit adds up over time. If your partner works from home, it might make sense to switch to a discounted phone plan. You’ll still have the same connection and data amount, but you’ll pay significantly less each month. It might not seem like a big difference, but every little bit counts when you’re trying to save as much money as possible.
Shop at Stores with Cash-Back Rewards
If you’re in the market for a new car insurance policy, you might be tempted to go with the company that offers you the most coverage for the lowest price. But remember that price isn’t the only important factor. You should also consider the value of the company’s rewards program. Many insurance companies offer cash-back rewards programs that you can use to save money on your monthly bill. Some of them even make it easy to redeem your rewards, so you can use your savings as soon as your next bill arrives in the mail. If you’re in the market for a new car insurance policy, make sure to comparison shop between different companies to find the one that offers you the most savings each month.
Don’t Go to Restaurants and Coffee Shops
You might think that you have to eat out or go to coffee shops daily, but that’s not true. You can take steps to save money at home while still enjoying your daily coffee and meal out — and you don’t even have to sacrifice on taste. If you have a significant other, it might make sense to occasionally prepare a meal together at home. You can save a significant amount of money by purchasing ingredients in bulk and preparing a single meal for several days in a row. And if you have kids, it might be necessary to occasionally go out to eat. But if you’re trying to save money, you can always limit how many trips to the coffee shop you take each month.
Lock in Electricity Rates for 12 Months
If you’re paying a high amount for electricity, you might want to look into locking in your electricity rates for the next 12 months. Many companies offer a fixed electricity rate for 12 months that’s significantly lower than the rate for a standard electricity contract. If you’re paying a high amount for electricity, locking in a lower rate for 12 months will help you save significant money each month. And if you’re planning on moving in the next year, it might make sense to lock in your rate for 12 months to prevent the price from increasing. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy low electricity rates even after you move.
Order Food From Home Instead of Eating Out
Eating out can add up quickly and cost you significantly more money than making the same meal at home. If you’re having a busy week and need to grab a quick bite to eat, consider ordering food from home instead of going to a restaurant or coffee shop. You can often make the same food at home that you’d find at a restaurant, and it will likely be significantly cheaper. And if you have kids, it’s often much cheaper to order food from home than to take them out. Many restaurants offer menus for families, and you can often bring home leftovers for a second meal for much less than you’d pay for a sit-down meal.
Conclusion
Kids are expensive, and it’s easy to get into debt when you have them. These little-known ways a family can save an additional $100 per month will help you get out of debt faster and enjoy life more fully as a family.
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