How a Little Work Could Lead to Over $1000 in Savings

   How long would it take you to earn an extra $1,000? Contrary to what spam and internet ads tell us, after taking taxes and deductions into account, it’s not an easy task. But you might be able to save over a thousand dollars with a little work. The key is to decrease or eliminate unnecessary recurring expenses.

   You can use the savings to build up an emergency fund or invest them for important long-term goals, such as travel or retirement. Additionally, a savings safety cushion can help keep an unexpected setback from ballooning into a financial crisis, such as a broken down car or the loss of a job leading to debt.

   First, identify savings opportunities. You may want to start by connecting your bank and credit card accounts to budgeting software, or uploading previous months’ statements and categorize purchases. You’ll get a quick snapshot of your finances, which can help you identify savings opportunities and get a sense of how much money is on the line.

   Cancel services and regularly negotiate rates -- save over $100 a month. “Cord cutting” is a popular and simple way to save money. Rather than pay for cable or satellite TV, you might choose to cancel your service and opt for lower-cost entertainment options.

   If you don’t want to eliinate services entirely, you could try to negotiate ...