If you have ever made a trip to the grocery store for a small list of things and been surprised at the total, you know little things add up.

Here are seven practical ideas to cut spending costs and find some extra money in your income to put towards your debt. Some of these things I actually implemented myself in my debt-free journey.

1.Rent/Mortgage

“Ain’t nothing wrong with living within your means and doing it well” - Brithney Joseph

• Get roommates or move back home

• Downsize (cheaper space)

• Rent out your space

• Sub-lease your house or apartment

• Don’t forget to check any spikes in your utility bills

2. Call Customer Service

The customer is always right.

• Call your service providers (credit card, cable, subscription services, etc. )

• Be polite, assure them of your good standing payment history

• Ask for adjusted interest rates, waive an overdraft fee, new deals, discounts, etc.

3. Reduce, Don’t Cut

“Keep things that bring you genuine joy!” - Brithney Joseph

• Identify three areas you spend the most money

• Identify three areas you spend the least money

• Reduce costs on things you spend the most on

• Cut out costs on things you spend the least on

4. Use Cash not Credit

It feels good to swipe but regulate yourself.

• Freeze credit cards after direct deposit, withdraw some and only use the cash

• Set strict purchasing days or periods

• Put cash into envelopes categorized by purchases

• Remove credit cards from online accounts

5. Find Free Activities

“If it’s free its for me!” (Don’t say that out-loud though)

• Find your city's event calendar online. Search for events that interest you

• Use apps like Eventbrite and Groupon to find free and discounted events in your area

• Make friends with event hosts and night life promoters or become one

• If the weather allows, go out and embrace nature

6. Tell Your Friends

Only keep like-minded people around you

• Let your close friends know which financial goal you are working on

• Let your close friends hold you accountable

• Let your close friends know not to hit you up for random nights out

7. Create a Budget

“Budgeting is a fancier, shorter term for ‘setting yourself up for success” - Brithney Joseph

• Figure out how much money after your bills you can live off of per month

• Then, figure out how much money after that can go towards your living expenses and your liabilities

• Then, decide how much you can live off of after making monthly payments to your liabilities

• Break that amount down into paydays. That amount is how much you can spend on living and miscellaneous expenses

READY TO GET YOUR MONEY RIGHT?

Use this automated tool to help control your spending

What are some things you do to cut spending costs?? Please share the wealth. Comment below.