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Spring is a time to refresh and renew. But as you’re spring-cleaning your home and wardrobe, don’t neglect your wallet. Now is a great time to take a closer look at your finances and make some changes to give your savings a boost.
Here are five money-saving tasks to add to your springtime to-do list.
1. Revisit your budget
If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your monthly budget, there’s no time like the present to take a closer look at where your money is going.
If you don’t have a budget in place yet, reviewing your credit card and bank statements can give you a clear picture of your monthly income and expenses.
Consider the nonessential categories you’re spending money on each month (aka discretionary spending). This might include entertainment, shopping, travel, and dining out. There may be areas where you could cut back a bit and redirect those funds to your savings account. That could mean cooking more meals at home, opting for a spring break staycation, or limiting your impulse splurges.
This is also an opportunity to revisit any recurring payments, subscriptions, or free trials you may have forgotten about. Setting a recurring bill to autopay doesn’t mean you should forget about it forever. There may be a gym or movie theater membership that you don’t use often and can go without or a free trial you forgot to cancel and are still being charged for. While it may seem like a drop in the bucket, these small expenses can add up, and that money could be used to pad your savings account.
Read more: Your complete guide to budgeting for 2025
2. Adjust your savings account contributions
While taking a hands-off approach to saving by automating your contributions can be convenient, remember to check in every once in a while to ensure your savings goals are still on track.
Your savings and retirement contributions should align with your savings goals, current income, and debt obligations. As you move through life, those variables will fluctuate. You may need to adjust your contributions up or down to better fit your current financial situation.
For example, if you recently paid off a loan or received a raise at work, you could be in a position to increase your contributions. On the other hand, if your partner lost their job or you’ve taken on some new debt, dialing back your savings can make it easier to cover new financial obligations without stretching yourself too thin. (Of course, you should make it a goal to gradually increase your savings as your cash flow situation improves.)
3. Negotiate with service providers
Many of your regular bills can be negotiated, especially if you’re a loyal customer. Make a list of your recurring bills and give your service providers a call to see if there are any discounts you qualify for.
For example, many car insurance providers offer discounts to long-term, loyal customers or those with clean driving records. But you may need to call and ask for a lower rate.
Others, like your phone or internet provider, may agree to lower your rate if you find a better price from a competitor. By doing a little market research, you can potentially negotiate a lower monthly payment.
4. Put your tax refund to good use
We’re well into tax season, and you may have already filed your tax return. Hopefully, you’re expecting a tax refund. According to IRS filing season statistics, the average refund is $3,382 so far this year.
If you are expecting a refund, make a plan and put that money to use. For example, you could open a high-yield savings account or certificate of deposit (CD) and earn as much as 4% APY on the balance, helping you reach your savings goals faster. Or you could pay off high-interest debt, freeing up more cash to spend on other priorities.
Read more: The 10 best high-yield savings accounts available today
5. Reduce your energy consumption
Now that the harshest winter days are behind us and the weather is warming up, it can be tempting to crank up the AC. Instead, take the opportunity to enjoy the spring air — and boost your savings — by opening up your windows to light and cool your home naturally. You can also use ceiling fans to keep your home cool — they require less energy to run than an AC unit or home cooling system.
While you’re at it, consider making some other energy-efficient upgrades, such as sealing drafty doors and windows, replacing your lights with LED bulbs, and fixing any water leaks in your home.
Read more: How to save money in 2025: 50 tips to grow your wealth
