TextNow Guide
Saving Money

How to save money

Valeria

Valeria

 

October 12, 2021

How to save money

One of the founding pillars of TextNow is being able to provide communication for everyone, no matter the circumstance, or more importantly, the budget. And we've done just that---our Nationwide Talk & Text service includes unlimited calling and texting, even without WiFi, all for free. And while eliminating a phone bill (saving $120 or more a year) is a big financial weight off your shoulders, there are other little changes you can make to free up more of your savings, and we're here to help you do it:

1. Manage your subscriptions

This is a tip that we've shared before, and will continue sharing, as it truly does work. One of the sneakiest expenses you will see on your monthly statement is a monthly subscription, whether it be for a streaming service, an audiobook library, or a fitness tracker, that $9 here and another $15 there can really start adding up. Now, this isn't to say that you should eliminate all your subscriptions, because most are probably well used, however, every few months or so, you should sit down and assess whether you are getting the full use out of a subscription, whether there is a new bundle available that would be more efficient, or simply if you still need it at all. Doing so will ensure that you are only paying for what you're using, and eliminating that which you are not.

Apps like TrueBill, Mint, and Bobby can help you organize your recurring payments and gain better visibility without having to pull out the spreadsheets yourself.

2. Shop smarter

We all shop. Most of the time it's for necessities, such as food and toiletries, and sometimes it's for the other joys in life---electronics, clothing, home décor---and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Most budgeting advice you'll get is to cut out unnecessary spending and only focus on the necessities, but we know that's no way to live. So instead, we encourage you to shop smarter and simply find the deals. Before heading out to the store, mall, or opening up your laptop, make a plan: What is it that you're looking for and what is the average price for it? Spend an extra five or ten minutes searching for the item(s), and figuring out the baseline price. Then, use apps like Flipp to find an available sale or price drop, services like Rakuten to get cashback on you shopping, and/or a web browser extension like Honey to find coupons.

3. Set up a personal budget

This one's an oldie, but a tried and true one at that. Of course, one of the more obvious ways to save money is to set a personal budget, and actually stick to it. Easier said than done sometimes, but as we've seen, the smallest changes---even if it only another $10/month---can make a world of difference. Of course, each budget will differ person to person, as will priorities, so our most important recommendation is to simply find a free budgeting app that works for you, such as Investopedia's updated list that you can check out for the best budgeting apps in 2021.

Got your own money saving tip? Let us know in the comments below!

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