Times are tough right now. We’re living through a cost of living crisis that has been exacerbated by a number of unfortunate events over the past few years, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Wages are stagnant. Prices are rising. It’s not all too surprising that many of us are struggling and, sadly, some of us are at breaking point. There’s only so much you can do to assist yourself through this, but there are some steps you can take to guide your life in a direction that avoids debt and gets by. Here are some changes you can try!

Cut Unnecessary Subscription Services

Times have changed and many of us now consume content through subscription services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify, Apple Music and more. Sure, it may be nice to have all of the different services available to choose from, but you will notice that multiple subscriptions costs mount up and you could see yourself spending hundreds a month to access all of them. Instead, if you’re trying to cut costs, you may need to review which ones you actually use and which you don’t. Determine whether your use of each justifies the cost of each. You may find that you’re paying for a subscription service that you haven’t used for months. Cancel subscriptions that you determine not worth it. This is an easy way to claw back some cash.

Quit Smoking

Are you a smoker? Chances are, you’re well aware that this is a very costly habit that is better kicked to the curb when times are hard. In short, quitting smoking is a wise life move anyway. It’s bad for your health and wellbeing. It can cause cancer. It can cause lung disease and respiratory illness. It can harm those around you through passive smoking. But from a financial perspective, it’s also hugely costly and can add a huge chunk of money onto your monthly spending. Of course, quitting smoking isn’t something that you can simply stop immediately. Instead, you may need to wean yourself away from the habit, as nicotine is extremely addictive. Try using nicotine gum, nicotine patches or satiate the habit of putting something in your mouth through a Delta 8 THC Vape Cartridge. As you wean yourself away from smoking, you’ll find that you have a lot more money available to you.

Compare Service Providers

Sure, there are certain costs that you can’t simply cut out. Energy, internet connection and more. But you do need to make sure that you’re getting the best deal for your money. Make some time to look at all of your outgoings and to compare service providers. You may find that there’s a better deal out there that you can switch to, receiving the same service for a lower cost. If you’re loyal to the company you’re already using, and know you can rely on their service, it’s still worth taking a look around. If you find a lower price elsewhere, you may find that your current supplier or provider will be willing to price match in order to maintain your custom and keep you on board.

Consolidate Your Debts

In debt? You’re not alone. But it is important that you manage your debt in a way where you pay back as little as possible. If you have debts with high interest rates, you could find that you spend a fortune paying your debt back, rather than sticking closer to the original amount you borrowed. It’s always a good idea to balance transfer or consolidate your debts into a loan with a lower interest rate. Many card issuers offer interest free balance transfer for set periods of time, allowing you to chip away at your actual balance rather than simply paying off interest. Look around and see what’s available to you. Make sure to also consider transfer fees and how much they will cost you.

Look for Free Activities

If you don’t have much disposable income, you don’t necessarily have to stay home doing nothing. There are plenty of different free activities that you can engage in. You just have to look around for them. Whether that’s nature walks, free local groups to join or anything else.

Hopefully, some of the information will help you through these difficult times. Sure, it may not be ideal, but there are ways to make it slightly easier for yourself. Give them a try and see how you get on!