(WUSA) -- Are you in a position where you are having trouble saving every month? A few small changes can add up to over $1,800 a year in savings.
Let's look at your smart phone plan. Do you really need to spend over $100 a month for something you use to make a few phone
calls, maybe a few texts? The data service plans to run these mini computers in your pocket can amount to over $1,000 a year. Moving to a pre-paid cell phone plan is one way to save a ton of cash.
Since we are red-lining some of the technology costs from your monthly budget, let's look at your home Internet service. Most people want but don't need the fastest download speeds available. Drop down a level with your service provider. You'll still have no problem surfing the web and you could save $20 a month, $240 a year.
Here's one note though, before you decide to dump your landline. Do the leg work first. If you bundle your internet, phone and cable services, you may find that the phone service is essentially free or even if you cut the cord, you may pay more. Just run the numbers before you take that step; a note from personal experience here.
Do you head to the coffee shop before work every day? It probably doesn't even feel like a splurge anymore. But get this, a latte every work day is costing you well over $600 a year. Maybe it's time to invest in a coffee system at home or just brew a plain old, delicious cup of joe.
Do not blindly pay medical bills. If you give the doctor's office your insurance information and still get a big bill in
the mail, be sure to follow up. Call your insurance provider. Make sure that bill was submitted and coded correctly. Small mistakes in the insurance process can add up to big bills sent to you. Just be sure to work something out because unpaid doctors bills will eventually be sent to collections agencies and that will hurt your credit score.