Home Services that You Can (and Can’t) Afford to Skip When You’re Tightening Your Budget

Is it time to tighten your family budget? You may be considering removing “unnecessary” expenses around the house so you can have a little extra cash to stick in your savings account or that vacation fund. But before you start cutting left and right, stop and think about what’s truly essential. Here are the home services you can live without and the ones you can’t afford to skip.

Skip: Cable and satellite TV

Save money on cable and satellite TV by switching to a streaming service that uses your home’s Internet connection. These services are often far less expensive than cable, and you can always find something to watch. You’ll never again hear the complaints that nothing good is on TV. Even live sports games are often streamed online for free or for a price that comes out cheaper than monthly cable and satellite.

Keep: Internet

You need an Internet connection. Staying connected to the latest news during crises is essential. But you don’t have to settle for the first Internet company you find. Shop around to save some money. Look for a service that offers free equipment, free installation, or free service for the first month. Some companies even offer unlimited Internet for a good price.

You can connect your new streaming service to your Internet. Ask each company if they support streaming services or have the bandwidth necessary to give you a good experience. You can even work from home with no trouble if you have a quality Internet connection. The Internet is a must-have for families today as you go through your daily life with work, school, and entertainment. But even though you can’t cut your Internet out of the picture entirely, you can still find ways to lower this monthly cost.

Skip: Landline telephone service

There’s no need for a landline when you can use your cell phone at all times. Cut the landline out of your service plan. Don’t hold on to it for sentimental reasons when your cell phone can do the trick. Landlines are a redundant and an unnecessary drag on your budget. In many ways, cell phones are actually much more effective. After all, your cell phone is always in your pocket while a landline is tethered to the wall.

Keep: Home security

A home security system is easier to set up than ever. Put a doorbell camera on your front porch, or add tiny cameras around the house. You can connect to these cameras using your mobile device or choose to have a more complex system installed. The system will send you alerts if you aren’t home, and the alarm system will deter intruders. Thanks to a home alarm system, you can go to bed at night knowing that your family is safe. That’s something that is completely worth the price of your new security system.

Skip: Cleaning services

There’s no need for cleaning services when you can clean the house yourself! If you have kids, give everyone a job to do. When the whole family pitches in, you can fire the maid and settle for a once-a-year deep cleaning each spring with the money that you’ve saved throughout the year. Keep in mind, however, that a family that does regular chores, keeps up with the house, and doesn’t make a big mess won’t have much to clean.

Keep: Pest control

Pest control is essential for the health and safety of your family. While you can’t afford to eliminate pest control services, you can probably save money by shopping around.

Start with a quick local Google search like “pest control in Boston,” then call a few reputable companies to check their rates. They may need to come out to assess your home, but the visit should be free. Ultimately, you should be able to find a cheaper alternative when you have a few quotes to compare.

That said, going with the most affordable option isn’t always the best choice. It’s worth paying a little extra for quality, so don’t be afraid to bump up your pest control budget for a company that takes a more exhaustive approach than cheaper competitors. The same goes for companies like GreenHow who use organic, sustainable pest control solutions that are safe for your family, pets, and the planet.

Takeaways

You need some home services to remain comfortable and protect your family. But don’t overspend on anything that’s not 100% necessary. By canceling some services and shopping around for better prices on others, you can effectively tighten your family budget and remain comfortable and safe.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes