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Simple Ways to Save on Everyday Expenses

By February 12, 2025No Comments
Simple Ways to Save on Everyday Expenses

At V.F. McNeil Insurance, our team has been working hard to help people across Connecticut save money on their home and auto insurance. We always look out for savings with every renewal, but given the current hard insurance market, we’ve been especially in tune with this to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep costs manageable—because our clients’ best interests are always our priority.

That’s why we’ve also put together a list of simple, practical ways that we personally use to cut costs—both monthly and annually. These are easy strategies that can make a real difference in your budget without sacrificing the things that matter most.

We hope you find these tips helpful!   If you have any tips of your own, please share at .

And of course, if you ever want to chat about ways to save on your insurance, whether it’s personal insurance or business insurance, we’re always here for you.  We’re just a phone call, email, or online request away!

Disclaimer: These money-saving tips are based on general estimates and averages. Individual savings may vary depending on personal spending habits and lifestyle choices.

Save on Home & Auto Insurance

  • Bundle Policies: Combining home and auto insurance can save you 10–20%
  • Increase Your Deductible: Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000, $2500 could lower premiums
  • Work With Your Agent Annually: An independent insurance agent is in the best position to help you decide how to save on your insurance coverage with our jeopardizing your level of protection.
  • Use Discounts: Ask about whether your carrier provides discounts for things like safe driver, multi-policy, home security discounts, loyalty discounts, etc.
  • Savings Potential: $500–$1,000+ per year

Daily Coffee vs. Brewing at Home

  • Buying Coffee Daily: $5 per cup × 30 days = $150/month or $1,800/year
  • Brewing at Home: About $0.50 per cup × 30 days = $15/month or $180/year
  • Savings: $135/month or $1,620/year

Bottled Water vs. Reusable Bottle

  • Bottled Water: $1.50 per bottle × 30 days = $45/month or $540/year
  • Reusable Bottle with Filtered Tap Water: $20 reusable bottle + minimal cost for water
  • Savings: $500+ per year

Eating Out Lunch vs. Bringing Your Own

  • Restaurant/Deli Meals: $15 per meal × 10 meals/month = $150/month or $1,800/year
  • Preparing at Home: About $5 per meal × 10 meals = $50/month or $600/year
  • Savings: $100/month or $1,200/year

Convenience Foods vs. Whole Foods

  • Processed, Prepared, Packaged Foods: Around $50–$100/month or $600–$1,200/year
  • Healthier Alternatives: Whole foods like fruits, veggies, and homemade meals cost significantly less and are often not subject to extra sales tax in CT the way many convenience foods are.
  • Savings: $50–$100/month, plus long-term health benefits!

Total Potential Savings

By making these simple adjustments, you could potentially save $5,000+ per year, while also improving your financial stability and your health!

A great way to stay motivated while saving is to visualize the meaningful experiences or goals your savings can help you achieve. Imagine finally taking that dream vacation—how much more enjoyable would it be knowing it’s fully paid for rather than charged to a high-interest credit card?

Or perhaps you’ve been wanting to upgrade your kitchen counters or build a financial cushion to handle unexpected expenses without relying on credit. By saving now, you’re setting yourself up for greater financial freedom and peace of mind in the future.