Wouldn’t it be nice to boost your savings and reduce your expenses? Here are nine practical ways that you can eliminate pricey fees from your life.

Extra outings

According to Lauren Ver Hage, contributor to The Financial Diet, it’s best to plan out your outings ahead of time to avoid overspending. If you know you’re dining out or paying for some other activity in the middle of the week, save money by opting for free or low-cost activities on the weekend (and vice versa).

Transportation

Minimize the wear on your vehicle and save on gas by carpooling or participating in a rideshare program. Payoff Inc. recommends initiating a carpool with coworkers. You can also check out local options for ridesharing, especially if you live in an urban setting. 

Cleaning supplies

Another common expense to cut is expensive brand-name cleaning products. Ver Hage advises stocking your cleaning shelf with basics such as vinegar and baking soda. Browse Pinterest for other easy cleaning product recipes that you can use to keep your abode tidy while curbing costs.

Bundle insurance

Leslie Geary from Bankrate.com suggests combining your separate insurance policies into one, to help cut your monthly bill. Providers will often give you a discounted rate if you decide to go this route, so it’s definitely something worth pursuing.

Laundry

When doing laundry, Geary advises choosing the cold water setting whenever possible, which will help lower your utility bill. Another way to save on laundry expenses is to dry clean special garments at home rather than at a local dry cleaning shop.

Conserve electricity

Turn off lights, kitchen appliances and other household gadgets when you’re not using them. Ver Hage explains that this is a simple but often overlooked way to lower your electricity costs.  

Refinance your house

If you own a house, consider refinancing it to save money. By refinancing the remaining balance that you owe on your house, you can enjoy a lower interest rate than what you were originally paying.

Coupon codes

Whenever you shop online, Ver Hage suggests checking for coupon codes you can apply at checkout. With so many online coupons as well as company-specific codes, you can obtain a lower price tag on a wide spectrum of items.  

Cell phone

Kelsey Sheehy from NerdWallet.com advises that you should regularly evaluate your cell phone plan to make sure you’re not paying extra for data or perks that you never use. It’s also a great idea to shop around for other providers’ plans to make sure you’re getting the lowest rate for the cell services that you need. Many cell phone companies have set monthly fee plans, which can result in significant savings.

Equipped with these budget-savvy strategies, you are well on your way to increasing your savings and decreasing the amount you spend each month.