20 Everyday Ways To Save

Free up money for your diabetes care by saving it elsewhere.

- Debbie Koenig

There’s no getting around it: diabetes is expensive. However, good money management can go a long way. Which is why we recommend regular check-ins with your expenses to look at where you can save. “People often say, ‘Well, that’s just what it costs,’ but that’s not true,” says consumer finance expert Erica Sandberg. “Do a little digging and you’ll almost always find less-expensive options.”

We asked Sandberg and five other experts for their best money-saving tips. Implement the ones that make the most sense for your life—and use your freed-up funds to cover your diabetes care or to save for the future.

1. Put your bill-pay on autopilot

Setting up free online billpay through your bank or through utility companies saves on cheques, stamps, and time. It lets you schedule ahead to avoid late fees, says financial literacy advocate Laura Adams. A bonus: Not having to think about bills.

2. Use apps that save cash check out

Use smartphone apps that can help you spend less or earn cash back, suggests Michele Cagan, CPA, author of Budgeting 101. Try Nearbuy to find and save coupons, Magic Pin or CouponDuniya for rewards from grocery shopping, and Zomato for food orders.

3. Negotiate monthly bills

“It may seem like your monthly bills are set in stone, but there’s often some wiggle room,” says Emily Guy Birken, author of The 5 Years Before You Retire. Your bills for Internet, cable, cell phones, and auto and home insurance might be open to negotiation.

4. Shop online for bulk pantry items