Cutting Kubernetes spend by 40% without touching the application

Why Kubernetes bills explode

Most teams over-provision because they do not trust the autoscaler. The fix is not “trust the autoscaler” — it is fix the inputs the autoscaler reads.

Six controls that compound

1. Right-size requests against real p95 usage.
2. Move stateless workloads to spot.
3. Run a vertical pod autoscaler in recommendation mode.
4. Replace overrun-prone HPAs with KEDA.
5. Shut down non-prod outside business hours.
6. Move noisy neighbours onto isolated node-groups.

Together, these typically deliver a 35–45% reduction within 30 days.