If you’re like me, you view your monthly bills as a fixed expense.  And most of the time that expense is not going anywhere:(.  Many of our bills are for services we cant’ live without (Gas, Water, Food).  If you feel like you could be saving more money each month but don’t know how, I’ve complied a list of ways help you find some room in your finances when it comes to these bills. Here’s 6 ways to save on your monthly expense:

1. Check for Hidden Fees! (This is a big one).  Many monthly billers have a variety of fees for services that never used to cost money. (Think of the airlines and extra fee for bags).  Comb over your bill and if you see one you’re not familiar with call the company and ask about it.  Even $5 a month adds up…that’s $60 a year!  Work with your providers to see if those fees can be eliminated.
2. Compare the Competition:  Whether it’s cable, cell phone or internet, there’s always deals offered for new sign ups. Here’s a trick I used to get better deals on my services: If you’re not in a contract find out what other deals there are out there.  Then call up your current provider and let them know you’re thinking about switching because of this great offer.  Most of the time they will send  you to the retention team (their whole job is the make sure you’re happy). Once you talk to someone on retention they will give you a few options on saving money or getting free services for a few months. (Think free HBO etc.)  If figure they offer these great deals to new customers…why not reward your current ones with the same deal!
3. Save on Home Energy and Water: Did you know if you adjust your thermostat 3 degrees in either direction (depending on season) you can save around 20% on your energy bill?  Another good thing to do is utilize ceiling fans to move air.  Run them clockwise in the summer and counterclockwise in the winter to help keep your home comfortable.  If your water bill seems high, monitor your showers.  Set a timer and stick to it.  Being aware of your water usage is something we all need to do.  Water is a luxury we all take for granted.
4. Take Control of you Food Bill:  Use my site to find coupons you need and will use.  When I first started coupon’ing I printed and clipped EVERYTHING.  What a waste of time.  Only print or clip what you need.  The time it takes you to do it is well worth the financial gain.  I save hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year with coupons.  AND I’m not an extreme couponer.  I buy what I need for the month and that’s it.  Mainly because everything does have an expiration date and I’m not one to waste. If you get good at couponing, even for Organic foods you can save up to 50% on some of your trips! Check the Sunday paper for coupons if you get it.  Sometimes there’s a coupon for an organic brand.  I really wish Organic and natural companies printed more.  BUT looking around my site will help you get started with coupons.  If you know you’re going to spend too much in store, try online ordering for your food.  This way you have a great visual of what your order and total is before you check out.  I seem to buy less unnecessary items when I shop for food online.  A few of my favorite sites are Door to Door Organics, Green PolkaDot Box and Abe’s Market.
5. Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses: If you don’t need something (like your home phone) get rid of it!  If you’re not using all your minutes each month on your cell phone, look at cutting back on your plan.  If you want to spend less time in front of the TV, eliminate cable and subscribe to Netflix! (Or stream your phone though Apple TV, Roku or another device to your TV like we do).
6. Pay your bills with a cash back credit card: Whenever possible, set up your bills to be paid by a credit card that offers cash back rewards!  You will earn money back by paying your monthly expenses!  It only makes sense to do this though if you are paying off your high balances in full each month! So be smart about where your money is going.
7. Download and use apps or websites to help you monitor your spending! Apps like CHECK and Hello Wallet are a few on my favorites!
8. Make some extra money easily around the house.  Head to my other post about easy ways to make extra cash while home. (And I’m not talking about working from home!)