Consumers' Checkbook Lists 20 Ways to Cut Costs as Fake Sales Hit 21 of 25 Retailers
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 14
Consumers' Checkbook Lists 20 Ways to Cut Costs as Fake Sales Hit 21 of 25 Retailers
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 14
Summary
Consumers' Checkbook published 20 money-saving tips for Americans facing rising housing, grocery, insurance, utility and child-care costs that have outpaced wages.
Checkbook said comparison shopping is critical: after tracking prices for six months at 25 major retailers, it found 21 advertised “sale” prices more than half the time.
Big-ticket savings include keeping a paid-off car longer instead of buying one that now averages above $50,000, switching insurers to save more than $500 a year, and refinancing costly card debt.
Daily spending changes can also add up, including using lower-cost grocers, cooking at home to save $150 to $200 a month, and cutting subscriptions that average more than $1,000 a year.
The advice reflects broader financial strain, with nearly half of credit-card holders carrying balances month to month and many paying interest above 25%.