Identify money wasters, save money and reward yourself when you reach savings goals.

Sometimes expenses creep up on us without us realizing it. By paying attention to the products and services we use, we can identify where we’re wasting money around the house. Here are five tips for cutting household spending.

Evaluate your cable bill

With the availability of streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV, Hulu (and more!), some people are cutting cable TV to save dollars. Evaluate your viewing and only keep the cable services you really need and use.

Swap disposables for reusables

The convenience of disposable products comes at a cost that you pay again and again and again. Here are some items you can swap out to save money:

• Reusable coffee mugs and water bottles instead of disposables
• Cloth napkins for paper ones
• Washable microfiber cloths in place of paper towels and wipes
• Reusable silicone bags for single-use food storage bags

Pick just one item to replace to get started. Once you’ve established the habit, pick another item to replace and watch the savings add up.

Grow some of your food

Growing your own food doesn’t mean you have to have a garden. You can cut down on your grocery bill by growing herbs in pots. They’ll do well in a sunny window during the winter months and even better outdoors when it warms up. Patio planters are an ideal place to grow produce like tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and more. Discover more about container gardening.

Take advantage of loyalty and discount programs

Kudos if you’re already taking advantage of loyalty programs at your favorite grocery store, coffee shop and restaurants! Loyalty programs that reward you for purchases you’d make anyway are a smart move.

Get even more discounts by simply asking the merchants and service providers what discounts are available. A polite request often results in cash off, especially if you’re buying at the end of a product’s season or if you’re paying with cash.

Check out these discounts available to Consumers members.

Refinance your mortgage

Many homeowners could benefit from refinancing their mortgage at today’s low rates. Take a few moments to see if interest rates are lower than what you’re currently paying, then use our calculator to see how many months it would take you to break even.

Reward your saving successes

A little bit of effort can help you save a lot of money. However, it does require a change in habits, which isn’t always easy. To keep yourself motivated, designate your savings for a specific goal. For example, a nice dinner out with your sweetie, or a family vacation or a new pair of shoes. If your money-saving tactic starts to feel like a chore, remember the reward that you’re working for. When you reach your savings goal, celebrate!

Then, set your next goal and start saving so you can reward yourself again!