We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
How to Lower Your Bills: 45 Ways to Save
Here are 45 practical strategies, from trimming utility costs to rethinking big expenses, to help you lower what you pay each month.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Updated · 3 min read
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Kelsey Sheehy is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She started at NerdWallet in 2015 and spent six years as a personal finance writer and spokesperson before switching gears to cover the financial decisions and challenges faced by small-business owners. Kelsey’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC’s "World News Tonight" and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC, American Banker, NPR and Vice, among other publications. Prior to joining NerdWallet, Kelsey covered college (and how to pay for it) for U.S. News & World Report. She is based in Washington, D.C.
Pamela de la Fuente leads NerdWallet's consumer credit and debt team. Her team covers credit scores, credit reports, identity protection and ways to avoid, manage and eliminate debt. Previously, she led taxes and retirement coverage at NerdWallet. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years.
Pamela joined NerdWallet after working at companies including Hallmark Cards, Sprint Corp. and The Kansas City Star.
She is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all.
She is a graduate of the Maynard Institute's Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists' President's Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet's Nerds of Color employee resource group.
Laura McMullen assigns and edits content related to personal loans and student loans. She previously edited money news content. Before then, Laura was a senior writer at NerdWallet and covered saving, making and budgeting money; she also contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press. Before joining NerdWallet in 2015, Laura worked for U.S. News & World Report, where she wrote and edited content related to careers, wellness and education and also contributed to the company's rankings projects. Before working at U.S. News & World Report, Laura interned at Vice Media and studied journalism, history and Arabic at Ohio University. Laura lives in Washington, D.C.
Tiffany Lashai Curtis is a former lead writer for the Core Personal Finance team at NerdWallet. She was previously the health writer for Livestrong.com and a freelance writer for publications like Refinery29, Business Insider and MTV News, where she focused on issues that affect marginalized communities. As a wellness facilitator, she has led conversations for organizations like Planned Parenthood and Harvard University. She is based in Philadelphia.
Lead Writer
Need to find more money in your budget? Evaluating ways to lower your bills is a good place to start.
Small tweaks can help you save on things like groceries and homeowners insurance. Cutting more significant expenses, such as rent, mortgage and car payments require more legwork but can yield a bigger budget boost.
Here's how to lower your bills and save on your monthly expenses in these categories:
Housing (rent, mortgage, insurance)
Lowering your housing costs is a heavier lift than, say, trimming your grocery bill, but doing so can create big savings. Learn how you can save on your rent, mortgage and homeowners insurance.
Rent
1. Downsize. Moving your family from a three-bedroom apartment to a two-bedroom unit could lower your rent by hundreds, depending on the city. However, it may mean doubling up on bedrooms or losing a guest room or office space.
2. Get a roommate. It seems counterintuitive, but you can lower your rent by upgrading to a larger apartment — so long as you share that apartment with a roommate who contributes to the rent.
In Pittsburgh, for example, the current median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,636, according to the website Apartment List. That’s about $818 per person if split between two people, compared with $1,376 median rent for a one-bedroom place by yourself.
3. Negotiate. If moving isn’t an option, try negotiating with your landlord. They may be willing to lower your rent in exchange for a longer lease or handling your own repairs.
Get your free credit score and make sure it’s in good shape, so you can get the best rate possible. Then shop around and compare rates and fees from multiple lenders.
5. Drop your private mortgage insurance. If you put less than 20% down when you purchased your home, you likely had to get private mortgage insurance. Your lender should drop the PMI requirement once the balance on your mortgage dips to 80% of the home’s original appraised value or its current market value.
The average annual cost of PMI is based on the loan amount and the borrower’s credit score, among other factors. It’s generally between 0.46% to 1.5% of the loan amount, according to a December 2024 report from the Urban Institute's Housing Finance Policy Center.
7. Bundle your home and auto insurance. This could potentially lower your insurance premium by up to 30%, depending on the insurer and your location.
8. Look for discounts. Ask your insurer about available discounts. For example, you may be able to save money on your homeowners insurance by paying in full, signing up for electronic payments or having a home security system.
Your monthly utility bills are a smart place to look for quick savings. Small tweaks such as adjusting your thermostat or signing up for automatic payments can add up to major savings.
Cable and internet
9. Bundle your cable and internet. You can typically reduce your cable and internet costs if you bundle those services with the same provider. You can also reduce your internet costs by switching to a lower speed tier or opting to buy a modem rather than renting one from your provider.
Cell phone
10. Sign up for automatic and paperless payments. Many wireless carriers, including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile offer monthly discounts on select plans when you sign up for paperless billing and automatic payments. This billing method also helps ensure you pay your bills on time.
Like with all automated payments, track your money to make sure you have enough to fund these bills without overdrafting.
11. Change or remove your insurance. Check with your cell phone provider to see if it offers a less expensive protection plan. Standard insurance may provide enough coverage and is often less expensive than premium options.
12. Switch your plan or carrier. Take inventory of your plan and data use, then see if you can get a better deal with your carrier or another one. Keep in mind that the cheapest phone plans are typically prepaid.
13. Dial down your thermostat. Dropping the temperature degrees at night or when you’re away can lower your heating bill. Doing the same on your water heater can also help lower your heating or gas bill.
14. Power down energy hogs. You may reduce your electric bill with a smart power strip, which shuts off power to devices not in use. Also consider requesting an energy audit from your utility provider to get household-specific insights.
Is money tight? Use this tool if you need help paying bills ASAP. Or call your provider to learn about hardship programs that may help. Here’s a script for what you could say on that call.
Transportation (car payments, insurance and public transportation)
Transportation costs, whether for a car or public transportation, fall squarely into the “needs” category of most budgets. Find more room in your budget by lowering what you spend on getting around every month.
Car payment
15. Refinance your auto loan. You might be able to lower your car payment by qualifying for a better interest rate or extending the length of your loan. You’ll need a track record of on-time payments spanning six to 12 months.
16. Sell your car. Look into selling your car and using the proceeds to pay off all or most of your current car loan. Then, buy a less expensive model — preferably a used car, which won’t lose value as quickly as a new one.
Whether you opt for new or used, aim to keep your total costs — gas, insurance, car payment, registration and repairs — below 20% of your take-home pay, or net income.
17. Evaluate whether you even need a car. If the answer is no, sell your car and use the proceeds to pay off your existing car loan. What you save in monthly insurance, gas, parking and maintenance costs will probably be more than enough to cover public transportation (more on that below) and the occasional rideshare ride.
Auto insurance
18. Increase your deductible. A higher car insurance deductible will bump up your out-of-pocket costs if you’re in an accident, but will lower your monthly insurance premium.
19. Reduce your coverage. Full coverage may not be necessary for an older car. If your car is worth less than your deductible plus a year's worth of premiums, consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage, which cover damage to your vehicle.
20. Ask about discounts, such as good student, safe driver and multi-driver, or bundle your car insurance with your home or life insurance.
21. Use passes and subscriptions. Signing up for monthly passes is likely a better option than buying single fares every day.
22. Look for discounts. Many transit agencies offer cheaper fares for seniors, military veterans, students and low-income riders. Your employer might even offer a commuter benefit program where you can use your pre-tax income for transit passes.
Food
Switching to store brands at the grocery store and finding discounts at local restaurants may cut your food costs.
Groceries
23. Make a grocery list. You’re less likely to overspend if you have a plan. Plus, you can look for coupons and save money on groceries. (Learn more about how to coupon.)
24. Opt for the store brand. Generic labels and store brands are a surefire way to save money, even if you’re shopping at pricier stores. And you won’t be sacrificing quality since many private labels are produced by name brands.
25. Become a member. Unlock exclusive sales and coupons by signing up for the store’s loyalty program and downloading its app, if it has one.
26. Try a discounted grocery chain. Stores like Aldi, Lidl and Grocery Outlet offer many of the same items you’d find at traditional grocers but at a discount. You can still find plenty of organic options but stores are typically smaller and have fewer options to choose from.
Dining out
27. Scope out specials. Take advantage of happy hours or other specials, like burger nights, Taco Tuesday deals and game-day promotions. Mark your calendar for nights where kids eat free to save on meals for the whole family.
28. Skip or split the entree. Order an appetizer instead of an entree to shave a few bucks off your dining bill. Or save money by splitting an entree with your friend or date.
29. Apply for an income-driven repayment plan. Federal loans have several income-based options that cap your monthly payments at 10% to 20% of your discretionary income.
30. Ask for a deferment. If you qualify, a deferment halts your payments, often for up to three years. However, interest may still accrue, increasing your overall balance. It’s wise to first apply for an income-driven repayment plan.
31. Refinance your student loans. If you qualify for a better interest rate, you can lower your payments by refinancing student loans with a private lender. Refinancing is always worth trying with private loans, particularly if you or a co-signer have good credit. But note that if you choose to refinance federal loans, they'll become ineligible for government programs like student loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment.
32. Ask for a lower interest rate. Your card issuer is more likely to give you a lower interest rate if you have a solid payment history and good credit score.
33. Transfer your balance. Take advantage of a balance transfer offer with an existing card, or open a balance transfer card with a 0% interest rate. Moving your balance to either will allow you to pay it off interest-free for a designated length of time — after that period ends, you’ll face interest on your balance. This move generally requires an excellent credit score.
34. Consolidate your credit card debt. Personal loans often have lower interest rates than credit cards. If you qualify for one, you can consolidate your credit card debt with a personal loan to lower your monthly payments and save on interest charges in the long run.
Your monthly subscriptions may not feel like a lot, but $7.99 here and $9.99 there can add up quickly. Use these tips to chip away at your membership fees or cut these services altogether to quickly see some wiggle room in your budget.
Streaming services
35. Limit the number of services to which you subscribe. If there’s a service that provides just a couple shows you enjoy, consider binging them, then canceling the service. Also take advantage of free trials to watch what you want in that time period, without committing to the expense.
Finding a service that can provide multiple benefits can also save you money in the long run. Amazon Prime members, for example, get free streaming on hundreds of movies and shows and free shipping. (If you’re choosing just one, learn the best streaming service for you.)
36. Look into family plans. Popular music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music also offer family plans, which allow multiple people to share one account and save big.
37. Negotiate for a lower monthly membership rate. Come to the conversation armed with competitors' rates and the gym’s own new customer promotions to get the best deal.
38. Cancel your membership and gym-hop. Most gyms and studios will give you a free class or two to test the waters. And many yoga studios hold community classes that are free or by donation. Thousands of free online workouts let you break a sweat without leaving home — and the only cost is dedication.
Magazines and newspapers
39. Cancel any publications you don’t read regularly. You can always resubscribe later when you see a discounted rate. Or, better yet, pick one up at your local library.
40. Downsize print subscriptions. Not willing to give up your daily subscription to The Wall Street Journal or The New York Times? Consider opting for digital-only versions or for Sunday-only print deliveries.
Shopping
Purchases like clothing and household goods can be a significant part of your budget, so finding thrifty alternatives makes sense.
Clothing
41. Shop secondhand. Thrift stores are good for more than donating items. Secondhand and consignment shops are a great way to help you cut costs in a sustainable way. Keep in mind that some secondhand have special discount days or allow you to save even more money when you donate.
42. Sell your clothes. You can sell your gently used clothing at brick-and-mortar secondhand stores like Buffalo Exchange and local consignment shops. Or, try a virtual secondhand retail site like thredUP, where you can both sell and shop for items. With thredUP, you receive a bag and shipping label, so you just bag up your items and ship them, and receive a payout for the items that are accepted.
43.Find free or low-cost clothing via social media. Search on Facebook or Nextdoor for “freecycle” or “buy/sell” groups, where members offer items at no charge or less than new. Many communities also have clothing swaps, where participants bring clean, unwanted items to exchange for others’ items.
Household purchases
44. Save money with savvy online shopping. Browser coupon extensions like Honey and RetailMeNot search the web for the best coupon codes and allow you to apply them to your online shopping cart. And online sites can help you compare prices before buying.
45. Buy in bulk, but only for the things you’ll use. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club offer a wide range of household purchases, grocery essentials, baby formula and diapers at a savings. Get gas, auto repairs and vacation packages, too.
