When it comes to savings, every single dollar counts. That’s important to keep in mind if you’ve been struggling to build an emergency fund, save for college or retirement, etc. When saving is tough, it can help to start small. Here are some ways to kickstart your savings, with the hope that by the end of 2021, you have an extra $500 or so stashed away.
Adjust Things
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household spends about $115 per month on energy costs. Heating and cooling your home accounts for almost 50 percent of that expense. A simple way to trim costs here is to turn your thermostat back. The Dept. of Energy says that you can reduce your energy costs by 10 percent a year if you adjust your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees, for eight hours a day (i.e. when you sleep).
Cut Cable
US News reports that the average cable bill is $60 per month (and that seems awfully low). You can save some money here by cutting your cable and using a streaming service. For example, Hulu Live — with ads — is also $60. But that’s for an entire year. Even without ads, Hulu Live is still only $144 per year. If you keep cable, you’re shelling out $720 a year. Cut the cord and save a bundle.
Original article written by Chris O'Shea on savvymoney.com
