Discover Ways To Lower Your Household Bills

Your monthly household bills — for internet, cell phone, electricity, gas, and water — can really add up. Especially these days.

AARP Foundation — who has been helping people secure essentials like these for more than 60 years — is sharing how you may be able to save on these everyday expenses.

Keep scrolling to discover how you may be able to free up money for your household budget.

Save on Your Internet Bill

Today, everything from paying your bills to looking for work is done online or through an app. Having a cell phone and internet connection is a must.

That’s why it’s good to know there may be a way to save on your monthly internet bill.

Lifeline is a government program that makes internet service more affordable for those living on a low income. Eligible households can save up to $9.25 a month. Native Americans living on rural tribal lands are eligible for more.

To qualify, you must earn under a certain amount of income or participate in one of these benefit programs:

• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits

Keep in mind that you may also have to switch providers to participate. Your provider choices are likely to be limited to telephone providers since Lifeline initially only covered phone service. To find participating broadband providers near you, go to Lifeline’s Companies Near Me page.

Please note that if you were taking part in the Affordable Connectivity Program, this government program ended in April 2024 and your internet provider should have let you know that you will no longer get this credit on your internet bill.

Save on Your Cell Phone Bill

To get the best deal, you need to do a little research. First, call your carrier to learn if they offer any senior discounts or if a discount carrier offers good coverage in your area.

If you’re receiving benefits from programs like Medicaid, SNAP (formerly called food stamps), Supplemental Security Income, or other government programs, you may qualify for special benefits.

Q Link Wireless and Assurance Wireless are two providers offering free unlimited monthly data, talk, and text through the Lifeline program, mentioned above. Some of these providers also offer free smartphones to new customers.

Search for participating providers in your area — you can usually apply online or call them directly to learn if you qualify.

As mentioned above, Lifeline is another federal program that lowers the monthly cost of internet or phone service up to $9.25 per month for eligible households. (If you live on Tribal lands, you can receive a discount of up to $34.25 per month, and up to a $100 reduction for first-time connection charges.)

Save on Gas and Electricity

Your first step will be to use less energy. Here are some simple ideas to try:

• Unplug appliances — toasters, cell phone chargers, computers — when you’re not using them
• Clean or replace your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) filter monthly for maximum efficiency
• Control your thermostat or better yet, install a programmable one that automatically adjusts based on the current temperature
• Run your dishwasher, washer and dryer during your energy provider’s off-peak times — usually at night
• Replace missing caulk around windows and doors to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer
• Turn down your hot water heater to 120° F or below

When it’s time to purchase a new appliance, look for those with the EnergyStar label, which means they use less energy to run

Another way to reduce your energy usage? Ask your gas or electric company if they conduct free energy audits — these often include recommendations on how to use less energy and save on your bill.

In addition, utilities often contract with different providers that charge lower rates. It may be worth calling the number on your electricity or gas bill to see if you can switch to one of their providers who’s charging less.

Finally, most utilities offer lower-cost programs to eligible households earning under a certain amount — you just need to apply to find out if you qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Save on Water Bills

As with electricity and gas, the less water you use, the more you can save on your bill. In addition to fresh water coming into your house, your water bill typically includes a charge for what’s called wastewater, the water that flows into the sewer from toilets, sinks, showers, baths, dishwashers, and washing machines. Every drop counts toward your bill.

Here are some ways to reduce the amount of water you’ll be charged for:

• Take shorter showers
• Fix any leaky faucets
• When doing dishes by hand, fill the sink or a basin with water instead of running the faucet
• Don’t let the bathroom faucet run while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving
• Use cold water instead of hot whenever you can
• Get a low-flow toilet or place a plastic bottle filled with water inside the toilet tank to reduce the amount of water per flush

When it’s time to replace a toilet, faucet, or shower head, look for ones with the WaterSense label — these will be more than 20 percent more water-efficient than the average products on the market.

If you do ever find yourself struggling to pay your water bill, know that many water companies will do what they can to work with you. Contact your provider directly to see if you may be eligible for a bill discount or a flexible payment plan that can give you some breathing room.

While there is no federal assistance for household water, American Water, which operates dozens of companies across the nation, offers two programs — the Low Income Payment Program and H2O Help to Others — that may help you save money. Check your monthly bill to confirm you’re with American Water and contact them to see if you qualify.