Once Billshark trims your monthly service bills, that freed-up cash can do real work. Here are the smartest ways to put your savings toward debt, insurance, the future, and emergencies.
What would you do with the 25% of bill savings at the end of the year?
There are countless possibilities once you have a negotiator lower your bills and make them affordable. The smartest options are the ones that will greatly improve your overall financial position, including paying off any debts, obtaining insurance, creating an emergency fund, or even saving for your bright future. We have provided details on each option, including recommendations on how to begin, and what you can do within each option.
1 Pay Off Debts
The vast majority of people have some form of debt in their lives. For those who recently graduated from college, the most significant debt they face is at least one student loan, although many have multiple active loans. Graduates in the class of 2013 had debts averaging $28,400 for borrowers who attended public or non-profit colleges. Those who attended private or for-profit institutions faced much higher numbers, similar to those studying law or medicine, who often faced loans upwards of $60,000.
Another common form of debt is a mortgage on your house. Due to the lengthier nature of this type of loan, many people make the mistake of believing that this debt is not a concern, or—shockingly—not even debt at all. However, mortgages can often become a large issue if a family or individual experience financial troubles. Many simply take out a second mortgage, but this often only delays the inevitable.
Credit cards offer another incredibly common and often debilitating form of debt. While it should be everyone’s goal to treat his or her credit card as a debit card and pay off their bills in full every month, or even after every purchase, this is not the reality for many. Even missing one payment can trigger a downward spiral into serious debt because of overspending and interest rates. Many people overspend when they use their credit cards simply because it is easier to hand over the card rather than cash.
With the savings on your monthly service bills—hydro, smart phone, Internet, et cetera—consider taking a look at your debts and make extra payments. Now, which debts do you want to pay off first?
Consider good debt and bad debt—debt that improves your financial position and debt that does not—as well as what will provide you with the most financial relief. Money Magazine indicates “putting $500 towards a $3,000 credit card bill with an 18% interest rate will save you far more than paying off a $500 bill at 6%.”
Regardless of the debt that you choose, having the extra money from savings on your service bills will be an improvement and you will be closer to the coveted debt-free position.
2 Think About Insurance
Many individuals do not have health insurance, or have inadequate health insurance, due to the inability to afford the payments policies require. This can have disastrous or even fatal consequences: “by more sober estimates, over 20,000 people die each year as a direct result of inadequate insurance.”
Unfortunately, some insurance policies may cost more than your 25% savings from one month, although a year of savings is often capable of covering a few payments. It should at least help you get a basic insurance plan if you do not currently have one, or upgrade to a policy with more coverage.
3 Save for the Future
You may also choose to save for your future with the savings on your monthly service bill. This can include saving money for your wedding, the purchase of a home, an overseas trip, or even for retirement. In fact, experts claim that saving for retirement can never start too early.
Even if you are already making regular payments to a savings account intended for retirement, adding in extra is good planning. If you do not have retirement savings, the extra money you now have from your monthly service bills is a good start. Consider setting up monthly automatic payments to wherever you will store your retirement savings.
4 Plan for Contingencies
If the unthinkable happened tomorrow, would you be able to pay your rent? Would you be able to survive long enough to get another job or otherwise change your situation before your money ran out?
Unfortunately, too many individuals would not be able to pay next month’s rent if they lost their jobs. Try creating an emergency fund with your new savings from your monthly service bills or add extra money to your regular payments if you already have one. The recommendation for emergency funds is enough money to cover no less than two to three months of living expenses. To determine exactly how much this is, look at how much you are currently earning and how much you are spending each month.
Having enough money to cover two to three months of expenses after a job loss will provide you with the time you need to get your life back on track without the additional worry about how to pay your rent on time. Your bill savings can be a great start to building your personal contingency plan. No one wants to be in a situation where they need to draw on these funds, but it is better to be prepared just in case.
5 The Takeaway
Consider what will provide the greatest benefit to you and those that you love, just like how making a payment on a higher interest loan saves more than paying one off with a low interest rate. No matter what you decide to do with these savings, there is one important thing to remember: you can live with less stress and worry over making your monthly service bill payments — and if you want to save even more, it helps to know how to negotiate a bill.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the smartest ways to use my bill savings?
The smartest options are the ones that improve your overall financial position. That includes paying off any debts, obtaining or upgrading insurance, creating an emergency fund, and saving for your future. Choose whatever provides the greatest benefit to you and those you love, much like how paying down a higher-interest loan saves more than paying off a low-interest one.
Which debts should I pay off first with my savings?
Consider good debt and bad debt, plus what will provide you the most financial relief. Money Magazine indicates that putting $500 towards a $3,000 credit card bill with an 18% interest rate will save you far more than paying off a $500 bill at 6%. Regardless of which debt you choose, the extra money brings you closer to a debt-free position.
Can bill savings really help with health insurance?
Yes. Some insurance policies may cost more than your 25% savings from a single month, but a year of savings is often capable of covering a few payments. It should at least help you get a basic insurance plan if you do not currently have one, or upgrade to a policy with more coverage.
How much should an emergency fund cover?
The recommendation for emergency funds is enough money to cover no less than two to three months of living expenses. To determine exactly how much that is, look at how much you are currently earning and how much you are spending each month. Having that cushion gives you time to get back on track after a job loss without worrying about rent.
Is it too early to use bill savings for retirement?
No. Experts claim that saving for retirement can never start too early. Even if you already make regular payments to a retirement savings account, adding extra is good planning. If you do not have retirement savings, the extra money from your monthly service bills is a good start. Consider setting up monthly automatic payments to wherever you store your retirement savings.
What Can You Do With Your Bill Savings? page context
What Can You Do With Your Bill Savings? is a Billshark page. It can help you with your bills and your choices, and it can show you how to save.
Got bill savings? Learn the smartest ways to use the money: pay off debt, get insurance, build an emergency fund, and save for the future. Start today.
Use this page to learn about Billshark. Then go to the part of the site that fits what you need. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
We share this page to help you make sense of your monthly bills, your choices, and what to do next. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
This page links you to more help from Billshark. Use it when you want more detail or a clear next step. You can save a lot over time.
Once Billshark trims your monthly service bills, that freed-up cash can do real work.
What would you do with the 25% of bill savings at the end of the year?.
There are countless possibilities once you have a negotiator lower your bills and make them affordable.
The vast majority of people have some form of debt in their lives.
Another common form of debt is a mortgage on your house.
Credit cards offer another incredibly common and often debilitating form of debt.
With the savings on your monthly service bills—hydro, smart phone, Internet , et cetera—consider taking a look at your debts and make extra payments.
Consider good debt and bad debt—debt that improves your financial position and debt that does not—as well as what will provide you with the most financial relief.
Regardless of the debt that you choose, having the extra money from savings on your service bills will be an improvement and you will be closer to the coveted debt-free position.
Many individuals do not have health insurance, or have inadequate health insurance, due to the inability to afford the payments policies require.
Unfortunately, some insurance policies may cost more than your 25% savings from one month, although a year of savings is often capable of covering a few payments.
You may also choose to save for your future with the savings on your monthly service bill.
Even if you are already making regular payments to a savings account intended for retirement, adding in extra is good planning.
If the unthinkable happened tomorrow, would you be able to pay your rent?.
Unfortunately, too many individuals would not be able to pay next month’s rent if they lost their jobs.
Having enough money to cover two to three months of expenses after a job loss will provide you with the time you need to get your life back on track without the additional worry.
Consider what will provide the greatest benefit to you and those that you love.
The smartest options are the ones that improve your overall financial position.
Consider good debt and bad debt, plus what will provide you the most financial relief.
Yes.
The recommendation for emergency funds is enough money to cover no less than two to three months of living expenses.
No.
Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.
Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.
Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.
Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.
2 Think About Insurance.
3 Save for the Future.
4 Plan for Contingencies.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What are the smartest ways to use my bill savings?.
Which debts should I pay off first with my savings?.
Can bill savings really help with health insurance?.
How much should an emergency fund cover?.
Is it too early to use bill savings for retirement?.
Money Mistakes Smart People Make & How to Avoid.
Smart Tips: Pay Your Bills Conveniently and Easily.
Should You Hire a Bill Negotiator?.
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have a negotiator lower your bills.
debts averaging $28,400.
disastrous or even fatal consequences.
how to negotiate a bill.
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