25 Monthly Expenses You May Be Able to Reduce

A category-by-category look at common recurring costs worth reviewing, from subscriptions to insurance to bills.

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Recurring expenses are easy to set up once and never revisit, which is exactly why they’re worth a periodic review. Here are common categories worth checking, organized so you can work through them a few at a time.

Subscriptions and memberships

  1. Streaming video services
  2. Music streaming
  3. Gym or fitness app memberships
  4. Meal kit or subscription box services
  5. Cloud storage plans
  6. News or magazine subscriptions
  7. App subscriptions you signed up for once and forgot

Bills and utilities

  1. Cell phone plan
  2. Internet service
  3. Cable or satellite TV
  4. Home security monitoring
  5. Water and sewer, where usage-based savings are possible
  6. Electricity, especially with a time-of-use rate plan

Insurance

  1. Auto insurance rates and bundling discounts
  2. Homeowners or renters insurance
  3. Life insurance policies you may be over-covered on
  4. Extended warranties on appliances or electronics

Debt and financial products

  1. Credit card interest rates and annual fees
  2. Personal loan refinancing options
  3. Bank account monthly maintenance fees
  4. ATM fees from using out-of-network machines

Everyday costs

  1. Parking passes or commuting costs
  2. Dry cleaning versus at-home alternatives
  3. Pet subscriptions and recurring pet costs
  4. Childcare add-ons and optional programs
Practical tip: Set a recurring reminder every six months to review this list. Providers change their pricing and promotions regularly, and a rate that was competitive a year ago often isn’t anymore.

This article is for general educational purposes and isn’t personalized financial advice. Specific savings will depend on your provider, location, and circumstances.