5 Easy Ways to Save Money and Cut Costs

People often equate best to cheapest. With the next paycheck often being a factor, the cost tends to trump the quality. Striking that middle ground of balancing good quality service with good prices is challenging, but not impossible. Here’s 5 easy ways to save money and cut costs.

5 Easy Ways to Save Money and Cut Costs

Dental

Finding a great dentist that is also affordable is possible, but research is important. Dental costs are not a fixed constant determined by service or region, but rather vary wildly between dentists.

There are sites that provide more detailed information about services offered, which can help you make an informed decision.

Insurance policies and what is covered is also a determining factor. Some will cover all of a service or part of it, but some policies won’t cover it at all. It’d be nice to say there is a definitive rhyme or reason to this, but honestly, just check over your policy carefully.

It may feel like having to thread the eyes of three needles simultaneously, but your mouth and your wallet will both thank you for the effort. Don’t let anxiety over a procedure or having to figure out how it all works prevent you from getting your dental needs addressed.

Rideshare

Whether you live in a place with solid transportation or a car is mandatory for daily life, ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft have become ubiquitous for their handiness and widespread availability.

Like many things, from sodas to video game consoles, each service tends to earn brand loyalty. And while it’s not to say they don’t deserve, brand loyalty can cost you dozens of dollars on a single ride.

If you should find yourself out and about, particularly later in the evening, it is important to compare costs between apps. Even during peak times, one service can often offer prices of $30+ cheaper than competitors. This isn’t always the case, but you’ll be glad when it is.

Streaming

Televisions are getting larger and there are more cord-cutters watching them by the day. The halcyon days of Hulu and Netflix face an onslaught of competition. After more than a decade of disrupting cable companies, big corporations are finally catching up and carving out their place in the streaming business.

In the longterm, it likely means the cost to receive the content you’re looking for will steadily trend upward.

In the meantime, however, there are deals to be had for those savvy enough to take advantage. Disney+, for example, is offering bundles with other digital services at a deep discount as well as slashing prices for long-term commitments to the service in a bid to build subscribers.

Food

Delivery services are quickly becoming all the rage. Apps and services have sprung up all over the place, from larger corporations to local and regional services that specialize in hyperlocal markets.

Convenience has always been a strong selling point. But people are paying considerable fees in return for convenience. 

It behooves people who insist on delivery to sample delivery services and make use of those first-time user credits that many like the offer to entice people to be loyal to their service.

For those willing to venture out to pick up their own food, some places, particularly chains, offer carryout deals that are often much better than the delivery options. These can often be found on restaurant websites, though it’s worthwhile to call a restaurant and ask about any carryout specials they may have available.

Clothes

Most people love a bargain, especially when it comes to clothes. If you don’t mind buying end-of-season clothes, it’s often worth the risk of picking out the clothes you like and waiting for them to hit the clearance rack.

Outerwear and shoes can see some especially deep cuts in the clearance aisle. Outlet stores will also deeply slash prices as the holiday season approaches.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy, however. Looking for a coat for the winter at an end-of-season sale will bring you hot bargains and chilly clothes.

Waiting for sales is a must for accessories as well. Larger retailers are quick to put a premium price on accessories for those who rush to buy their first scarves of the year but they are equally quick to brutally slash the prices of those accessories to supplement a sale. This is why you have likely either given or received a scarf as a cheap holiday gift within the last few years.