Cut or trim these 4 expenses to get ahead in 2023

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Do your New Year’s resolutions include getting your finances under control so you save for emergencies, large purchases, and life goals like going back to school, buying a new car or home, getting married, or starting a family?

 

If it’s been difficult to get ahead in the past, don’t be discouraged. We’ve all had financial setbacks, often without adequate savings to cover getting laid off, paying big medical bills, and covering other expenses. But that doesn’t mean you can’t finally get ahead in 2023 by trimming certain expenses or cutting some altogether.

 

If you’re committed to paying off debt so you’re in a better financial position this year, start with these four expenses and surprise yourself with how much less you’ll spend each month.

 

1. Monthly subscriptions

Many of us got carried away with subscriptions to multiple streaming services when we were locked down and reluctant to go out in public due to the pandemic. Now that pandemic fears and precautions have eased, you don’t really need all those streaming subscriptions.

If you have four or five subscriptions averaging $15 each and cut all but one, that’s $45 less you’ll spend each month. Maybe you have music or podcast subscriptions you could pause or cut, too, to save even more.

 

Read more: Cut Out “Junk Spending” to Save More Money

2. Convenience store purchases

You’ll never get ahead if you’re paying inflated prices on bags of chips, dips, toilet paper, cat food and canned goods at convenience stores on your way home from work. If you’re making daily stops at convenience stores for items you ran out of or just because it’s more convenient, you’re wasting a lot of money each month.

 

To spend less, make a list before you visit the grocery store each week and stock up on snacks, toiletries, pet food and other items you might pay double for at a convenience store. You’ll be surprised at how much less you spend, maybe even saving in excess of $100 a month.

 

Read more: 9 Things You Should Never Buy at a Convenience Store

3. ATM and cash advance fees

Hitting up the nearest ATM with your credit card every time you need cash means credit card cash advance fees can add up quickly. You’ll also pay higher interest on cash advance amounts, which your payments will automatically go towards first.

 

When you use your debit card at an ATM that isn’t owned by the card’s bank, you’ll pay a fee to your bank plus a fee to the bank that owns the ATM, totaling $5 or more for each transaction. Fortunately, all it takes to stop this bank-account draining habit is some advance planning.

Instead of tapping ATMs, figure out how much cash you’ll need for the week. Then withdraw it from your own bank’s ATM, drive-thru or lobby.

 

Read more: 8 Things to Know About ATM Credit Card Cash Advances

4. Dining out

In 2022, Americans spent an average of nearly $200 a month on dining out, according to credit and financial resource The Ascent. And that’s likely in addition to your weekly grocery bill.

 

You don’t have to deprive yourself of all dining out or takeout experiences. But preparing most meals at home and taking your lunch to work will free up a lot of extra money each month.

 

Read more: How Doing a Weekly Meal Prep Can Save You Money on Dining Out

Don’t stop there

Once you’ve trimmed excess expenses — possibly even giving some the boot for good — look for more ways to save. Can you consolidate errands to use less gas? What if you cut your grocery bill in half by shopping at discount grocers such as Aldi or Savers?

 

Maybe you could spend more time on healthy activities to clear your mind and stay well like taking walks, bike rides or working out at the gym instead of sitting in front of the TV, mindlessly watching expensive streaming channels.

 

Once you see how much money you can save by cutting expenses and watching your spending, you’ll be well on your way to better financial health in 2023.

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Additionally, a financial advisor can help you work out the details of your personal finances. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.(Sponsored)

 

This article originally appeared on Debt.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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How to cut costs now for a better retirement later

 

More than 6 in 10 Americans aren’t on track with their retirement savings, according to the Federal Reserve. If you’re getting close to retirement age and still working on your nest egg, you might have concerns about running out of funds when you’re supposed to be relaxing and enjoying life.

One way to ease money anxiety when it comes to retirement is to start cutting costs now. If you live a frugal lifestyle before and during retirement, your savings will be more likely to last to the end of your life.

Many people downsize their home to cut costs, but fewer people consider other clever ways to reduce expenses. Every expense you budget for, whether that’s groceries or gas, presents an opportunity to save more. Here are 13 areas where you can downsize your spending prior to retirement and the simple ways to do it.

 

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You don’t need to spend hours clipping coupons to save money on groceries. Grocery store rewards apps, such as Ibotta, will give you cash back just for scanning your receipts or even using a linked credit card. And if you use one of the best credit cards for buying groceries, you can stack the cash back. Some cards can earn as much as 6% back on grocery store purchases.

In addition, make a grocery list and stick to it to help reduce unexpected costs. Buying in bulk while items are on sale is another great way to save money on groceries. You can also compare prices at different stores. Although it might be easiest to get all your groceries in one spot, you could save by shopping for specific items where they are cheapest.

 

Related: The best states for retirement if you care about taxes

 

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One way to lower your internet bill is to negotiate with your provider. Call them up and let the customer service representative know you’ve been shopping around for deals from other providers and are thinking of switching. You might have to agree to a new contract, but you’ll likely get a lower rate. If you don’t want to be tasked with doing this yourself, you can download an app like Truebill to do the work for you.

In addition, you might purchase your own modem and router, as this can save you money over time. Although the monthly cost to rent this equipment from your internet provider is fairly cheap, it can add up in the long run. And don’t let your internet provider talk you into upgrades you don’t need.

 

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Truebill can also help lower your cell phone bill if you don’t want to handle negotiations yourself. Another great way to reduce costs is with a family or group plan. The price per line generally decreases as you add more lines, so getting a plan with friends or family members can help you keep costs low.

You should also pay attention to your usage and make sure you have the most cost-effective plan. For example, if you’re getting charged overages each month for your data usage, you should probably opt for an unlimited plan instead. On the other hand, if you can reduce your data usage and switch to a lower-priced limited plan, you’ll save money on your monthly bill.

 

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Using an app like GetUpside can help you both compare prices at local gas stations and earn cash back when you fill up. This can save you up to 25 cents per gallon. You can also stack those savings with cash back if you use one of the best credit cards for gas.

 

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In addition to using a rewards credit card for your shopping, you can earn money by using cash back apps every time you shop. You have many great options to choose from, including Fetch, Drop, Shopkick, Rakuten, and more.

You can try out multiple apps for your shopping, but you’ll be able to use only one for each purchase. Choose the app with the highest cashback offer for the retailer you’re shopping with. Some apps reward you with useful gift cards to stores like Target and Amazon, whereas others provide you with cash. They’re simple to use — you’ll typically either click a link before making your purchase or use a card linked to your account.

Retail cards and cashback cards are another great way to save on your shopping. Although you shouldn’t have a retail card for every store you shop at, you can apply for the most lucrative ones based on what they offer and where you shop the most. Also pay attention to senior discounts available at many retailers.

 

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It’s generally a good idea to shop around for new car insurance quotes every six months. That’s because circumstances can change, and so will your rates. For example, if an accident falls off your driving record or you move to a new location, you might find you can get a cheaper premium just by switching providers.

The best car insurance companies also provide discounts that could reduce your rate, so be sure to ask what you’re eligible for. They typically range from good student discounts to good driver discounts to multi-policy discounts, so there’s often a way to save money that can apply to you.

 

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Cutting the cord on your cable bill can be a great budgeting strategy, but not if you spend a fortune on streaming services instead. Decide which services you’ll use the most, and then get a group of family members, roommates, or friends together to share an account. Most streaming services allow you to create profiles for multiple users. Note that you can also access plenty of free content with your library card via hoopla or Kanopy.

You should also use one of the best credit cards for streaming services, for any service you’re paying for. It’s possible to earn easy cash back on your Hulu, Netflix, and other subscriptions just by using the right card.

 

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If you still have debt heading into retirement and you’re paying high interest on your credit cards, consider adopting a strategy that could help you get out of debt more quickly, like the debt avalanche method.

You could also use one of the best balance transfer credit cards to take advantage of a 0% introductory APR offer. You can typically get a 12-18 month break from interest by transferring your debt to one of these cards, That means you’ll be able to devote more of your income toward paying down principal, which will help you eliminate debt faster.

 

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If you’re still paying unnecessary maintenance fees at your bank, it may be time to open a new account. Many of the best checking accounts and best saving accounts don’t charge any fees. You might even be able to accrue some extra interest by switching to a high-yield savings account.

Even if you stay with your current bank, be sure you’re opted out of overdraft protection. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that opted-in customers pay seven times more in non-sufficient funds and overdraft fees than opted-out customers. That’s more than $200 per year you could save with this one simple move.

 

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It’s typically advisable to pay off your mortgage before you reach retirement. That’s because you’ll have less income to put toward a mortgage payment. So if you still owe money on your mortgage, the opportunity to take advantage of a low interest rate might be among the reasons to refinance your mortgage.

With the right refi, you could save money over the life of your loan and even shorten the term. Just be sure to do the math to make sure the interest rate reduction is worth the fees and time involved.

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There are steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient and save money on your utility bills. The bonus? Some upgrades may actually add value to your home when it comes time to downsize. For example, you might purchase more energy-efficient appliances or install low-flow toilets.

 

Related: Study offers clear picture of Americans’ retirement savings

 

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Be mindful of how you travel as you prepare for retirement. If you’re accustomed to taking multiple vacations per year, you may want to replace one with a staycation to save a little more. When you do travel, be sure to use one of the best travel credit cards. Many of these come with attractive signup bonuses that can help you afford your next vacation, as well as perks like free checked luggage or airport lounge access.

 

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If you’re thinking about downsizing in the near future, now’s the time to declutter your home by selling or donating belongings you no longer use.

You might be surprised by how easy it is to turn your old stuff into extra cash. You could earn money by hosting a garage sale or listing items on local marketplaces such as Facebook and OfferUp. You can even sell your used clothing on Poshmark or make extra cash online from your old books and electronics.

 

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If you’ve had difficulty with how to manage your money in the past, it’s not too late to get on the right track. You might consider using one of the best budgeting apps to help you reduce costs, save more, and pay off debt. Many are free to use and could be beneficial as you head into retirement.

While you’re still earning income, you might also do your best to boost your retirement savings as you trim your expenses. A frugal lifestyle now will lead to a more comfortable retirement later on.

 

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This article originally appeared on FinanceBuzz.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

 

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