The Penny Hoarder budgeting newsletter

Don't overpay for essentials Cut Down Your Biggest Bills More room than you think Some things are non-negotiable expenses: Food, shelter, coffee (just us?). Our point is, there are some things you can't avoid paying for. But that doesn't mean you have to overpay for them. For instance, a lot of us have to make monthly credit card payments – no escaping that. But how much we pay can depend a lot on our card's annual percentage rate, or APR. The higher the APR, the more we have to fork over in interest every month. But you're not necessarily stuck with a sky-high interest rate – you can negotiate to reduce it and thus pay less on your credit card bill each month. See the infographic below if you want to know the success rate on requesting a lower APR (it's more favorable than your think). Want more ways to reduce your biggest bills? We have some ideas. Save on Bills   Trim Your Bills, Including Unwanted Subscriptions Somehow your monthly bills have a way of creeping up when you’re not looking. Rocket Money helps you spot forgotten subscriptions, cancel the ones you don’t want and even negotiate certain bills. People save an average of about 20% on bills successfully negotiated by the service. Try Rocket Money → Support for our advertisers keeps our newsletter free!   These Companies Are Hiring for the Holidays Seasonal gigs can put money in your pocket just in time for the holidays. We rounded up a list of companies that are hiring this year. Find a Gig →   Can’t Afford Utilities? Ways to Pocket an Extra $500 Fast Utilities can eat a huge chunk of your paycheck. Use these smart money moves to help free up an extra $500 this week. Earn Extra Cash → What Does a Sell-By Date Mean? Avoid Wasting Food One of the easiest ways to stretch your food budget is to use what you already have. But what about expiration dates? We have the lowdown. Can I Eat This? → Companies That Want You Debt-Free From lowering interest rates to simplifying payments, these companies can make tackling debt a lot less overwhelming. Use them to help you get out and move forward. Be Free → Credit Card Debt Too High? How to Know We don't want you to have credit card debt. But life happens. Here's how much is too much — and what to do about it. Find Out → Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. We’re letting you know because it’s what Honest Abe would do. After all, he is on our favorite coin. © 2026 The Penny Hoarder. All rights reserved. 5202 W. Douglas Corrigan Way, Ste 300 | Salt Lake City UT 84116 | U.S. View in browser Mailing preferences | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy