Cost Reduction Checklist

Use this checklist to systematically review your expenses and identify opportunities for reduction. Not every item will apply to your situation—focus on areas with the most potential impact for you.

Recurring Subscriptions

Review all recurring charges:

• Streaming services — List all and assess usage of each
• Music subscriptions — Do you need premium?
• Software subscriptions — Are there free alternatives?
• Cloud storage — Are you using what you pay for?
• Gym membership — Are you actually going?
• Membership clubs — Do they pay for themselves?
• News/magazine subscriptions — Do you read them?
• Auto-renewed services — Anything you forgot about?

Utilities

Areas to review and optimize:

• Lighting — All LED bulbs? Turning off when leaving?
• Phantom loads — Using power strips? Unplugging chargers?
• Heating settings — Moderate temperature? Lower when away?
• Cooling settings — Using fans first? Moderate AC?
• Weather sealing — Draft blockers at doors?
• Shower length — Can you reduce by a few minutes?
• Laundry efficiency — Full loads? Cold water?
• Internet plan — Paying for speed you don't use?
• Phone plan — Data usage match plan tier?

Food & Groceries

Shopping and eating habits:

• Meal planning — Planning before shopping?
• Shopping lists — Making and following lists?
• Food waste — Using what you buy before it spoils?
• Eating out frequency — Could you reduce by one meal?
• Coffee/drinks — Making at home when possible?
• Convenience foods — Paying premiums for pre-made?
• Impulse purchases — Buying things not on list?
• Store brands — Trying store brands for basics?

Shopping Habits

General purchasing patterns:

• Waiting period — Pausing before non-urgent purchases?
• Need vs. want — Honestly assessing before buying?
• Duplicates — Buying things you already own?
• Quality matching — Quality for frequent use, basic for rare?
• Impulse buying — Strategies to prevent?
• Sale psychology — Only buying sales on things you need?
• Comparison shopping — For significant purchases?

Daily Habits

Small regular expenses:

• Morning coffee — Making at home option?
• Lunch — Packing occasionally?
• Snacks — Bringing from home?
• Transportation — Walking/cycling when practical?
• Entertainment — Free options available?
• Delivery fees — Batching orders or picking up?

Periodic Reviews

Less frequent but important:

• Insurance coverage — Right level for your situation?
• Bank fees — Any avoidable charges?
• Late payment fees — Systems to prevent?
• Maintenance neglect — Small issues becoming big ones?
• Annual subscriptions — Set reminders to review?

Prioritizing Changes

Start with High-Impact, Low-Effort

• Canceling unused subscriptions (immediate, recurring savings)
• Adjusting thermostat habits (minimal effort, ongoing savings)
• Switching to LED bulbs (one-time effort, ongoing savings)

Then Address Habits

• Meal planning and cooking (takes time to build habit)
• Shopping mindfulness (requires ongoing attention)
• Daily small expenses (cumulative effect)