Ways to cut $50/month from my budget painlessly
From my prior list...
1. Cut Out Subscription Services - Audible
Our son has (not formally diagnosed by the school system) reading issues, but listening when he reads helps a lot. He graduates high school in June. He'll go to community college next Fall, so we can stop the subscription once he's read his last English book. Can always go back if need be.
2. Friday Night Order Out
We spend $60 or so a week on ordering delivery for Friday dinner. Used to be accompany family movie night, but that faded away as the kid got older and the wife wanted the "romcoms" that I don't like.
Could replace it with a "family pizza night" at a much lower cost.
3. "Fancy" Food Alternative
During COVID, I started acquiring "expensive" tastes for cheese (Cheese Brothers) and some other food items that vary with the season. These replace what I'd get from the supermarket, are probably healthier and certainly more expensive. If I go back to the other stuff, can save a good deal of money.
4. Give Up Unpromoted Side Gig(s)
I've got a couple things that I keep going, but haven't yet promoted. One is in my profile , and costs me a monthly Spotify fee, and the other is a business I'm looking to start as I ease into retirement (in a million years) which costs web hosting, etc.. The first I'm worried about it being 'perfect' - the second I need to re-do the web site.
Probably a savings of $50-$75 a month.
5. Streamline / Reduce Supplements
I use a variety of supplements, and realize how much they cost. Found a liquid multi I like, and am using ChatGPT to configure an age and sex appropriate schedule, while reducing pill intake. Could save at least $50 per month this way.
6. Friday AM Treat
Every Friday I get a "Jersey Sandwich" (Taylor Ham / porkroll, egg, and cheese on a hard roll), a Win For Life scratch off and MegaMillions quick pick lottery tickets. These are close to $50 a month. Now, I'm not giving this up, as it is now an entrenched habit... :)
7. Subscriptions - Video Services
YouTube TV is getting north of $100. We also have Netflix, Disney, and Paramount Plus. Maybe more that the wife gets. I've guessing $150 or so. Easy savings here, if I don't want to keep the wife happy.
8. Amazon
I have regular grocery items I get (monk fruit sweetener, avocado mayo, others) that aren't available around here, but also get too much ca-ca I could do without. Can probably save here.
9. Apps
Have a few PC apps I can eliminate (a couple Norton utilities, Ring, Nexar dash cam) that could get me another $50 a month or so without getting rid of necessary ones
10. Home Warranty
Have a Sears appliance warranty which I am going to cancel as a result of this list.
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