Lower the bill before changing the product.
The least disruptive cost reduction is often a billing or workload change. Find what repeats, what can wait, and what the product does not need to generate at all.
Audit the repeated work
Look for identical instructions, repeated document processing, and duplicate requests. Compare provider-supported caching and batch options where they fit. Measure savings from real traffic rather than assuming every request qualifies.
Separate urgent from background
User-facing responses and overnight jobs have different latency needs. Schedule non-urgent work through a suitable processing path. Add idempotency and bounded retries so errors do not multiply the invoice.
Check purchasing options last
After understanding demand, compare direct discounts and appropriate credit offers. Confirm restrictions, expiry, and transfer terms. An offer can reduce the amount paid, but a promised percentage is not a guarantee that your entire workload receives the same saving.