Philadelphia families facing higher costs for gasoline, electricity and everyday groceries are looking for practical ways to stretch their dollars. The Penny Hoarder recently compiled a list of easy‑to‑implement strategies that can generate modest extra income and reduce household expenses.

Update your auto‑insurance mileage

Mackenzie Raetz, a contributor to The Penny Hoarder, shared that she saved about $25 a month on her auto‑insurance premium after notifying her insurer that she now works from home and drives less. “I work from home now, I did not use to. I think that knocked off about 25 bucks a month,” Raetz said.

She also noted that many insurers offer discounts that are not heavily advertised. “There are discounts. They may not necessarily advertise, you know, if you’re a student or if you are a senior, safe driving, you have certain security features on your car, that sort of thing,” she explained.

Other ways to lower insurance costs include switching carriers, paying annually instead of monthly, enrolling in paperless billing, setting up automatic payments or bundling auto coverage with other policies.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases

Raetz uses a cash‑back credit card to earn an additional $20‑$25 each month, depending on her spending habits. “It’s about 20 to 25 bucks a month. It just obviously depends on how much I spend,” she said.

Choosing a card that offers higher rewards for groceries, gas or online shopping can boost those earnings without changing spending patterns.

Online surveys as a low‑skill side hustle

The Penny Hoarder also recommends reputable survey platforms such as Branded Surveys, Inbox Dollars and YouGov. Raetz highlighted the low barrier to entry: “Those are good because it’s low barrier to entry, right. You don’t need any special skills or any special equipment or a lot of time.”

While survey payouts are modest, they can cover small expenses like lunch or snacks. “You’re not going to make a ton of money, but maybe some lunch and snack money at least,” the interviewer noted, and Raetz agreed.

Putting it all together

None of these suggestions replace a full‑time job, but the cumulative effect of reduced insurance premiums, cash‑back rewards and occasional survey earnings can help offset rising costs. As more consumers seek ways to protect their household budgets, these straightforward actions offer a practical starting point for Philadelphia residents.

Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.