Not every savings opportunity needs a specialist. Some you can catch yourself in an afternoon. Here are five quick wins that show up on almost every audit, plus the ones that are worth handing to someone who does this every day.
1. Cancel the streaming duplicates
Pull your last two months of card statements and list every streaming charge. You'll usually find at least one duplicate — the same service billed to two cards, a free trial that converted, or an annual plan no one watches. Cancelling one $14.99 charge is $180 a year, recovered in five minutes.
2. Check your electricity supply rate
If you're on a variable supply contract, you're almost certainly above the market. Look up your current rate per kWh, then compare it to the public offers in your area. A switch takes one phone call and typically saves $300 to $600 a year with no change to how your power is delivered.
3. Right-size your mobile data
Most families pay for shared data they no longer approach. Check your usage for the last three months; if you're consistently under your cap, a lower tier keeps the same lines and shaves $20 to $40 a month.
4. Audit your software seats
For households with a home business or freelance work, software licenses accumulate fast. List every tool you pay for and the number of seats. Unused seats and overlapping single-purpose apps are the fastest line to cut.
5. Ask for the retention rate
Before you switch internet or mobile, call your current provider's retention line. A five-minute call often unlocks a promotional rate that matches the competitor — no switch required.
What to leave to a specialist
The quick wins above recover real money. But the larger savings — bundling a full provider comparison, completing every switch in one sitting, and setting up autopay so the savings stick — are where an in-home visit earns its fee. Most households break even on the $119.99 within the first six weeks.