Bills & Utilities
Cutting regular household bills, from phone, internet and subscriptions to insurance and energy, without giving up what you value.
Cutting costs
Lowering your regular bills
Monthly bills add up quietly, and many of them can be cut with a phone call or a few minutes online. Because they repeat every month, even small savings make a real difference over a year.
How to lower your monthly bills walks through the biggest regular expenses, including phone, internet, subscriptions, insurance and utilities, with practical ways to cut each one.
Energy is often the biggest utility bill. For heating and cooling, see how to lower your heating bill and how to make your home more energy efficient. For your car, the true cost of owning a car shows where insurance, fuel and maintenance savings come from.
Put what you save to work. Add it to your budget as savings or extra debt payments so it doesn't simply disappear into everyday spending, and use it to build your emergency fund.
Common questions
Phone and internet plans, streaming and other subscriptions, and car and home insurance are usually the easiest. Compare plans, ask your current provider for a better rate, cancel what you don't use and shop around for insurance at least once a year.
Often, yes. Call your internet, phone or insurance provider, mention competitors' prices and ask about promotions or loyalty discounts. If they won't move, be ready to switch.
Ask your utility about payment plans, budget billing and hardship programs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households with heating and cooling costs, and calling 211 can connect you with local help.