Cut Household Expenses and Save Money on Your Phone and Utility Bills with These Easy Ideas
We have all seen the ads on TV or heard them on the radio. The commercials tell us how much money we can save by comparing our auto insurance rates. Well, it is a good idea to take this advice. I know shopping for auto insurance, home owners, or renters insurance is dull and boring, but think of the fun you can have with the extra cash you save. This advice is true for life insurance policies, as well.
Comparison shopping does get time consuming on occasion, but this tactic really works. Limit yourself to doing this chore just once a year. Comparing quotes, rates, and services of all kinds is a good idea.
Your local phone company and long-distance carrier is another place to start. With the strong advances in technology, the local and long-distance phone market has begun to change. Many people who were once stuck with one local monopolized phone company now has other options available. For people who talk to others far away, unlimited long distance is available for a flat fee. Switching my long distance saved me big bucks by using the unlimited long distance offered by my local phone company. I paid $26 for long distance one month and decided it was time to consider a new rate plan. When I called the company for more information, I learned that for just $15 a month, I can chat all I want,
Cell phone service is no different from landline service. The rate plans are always evolving. If you plan to stay with your favorite cellular provider for awhile, consider signing another contract. Often, the company will lower your bill by 10% just for staying with them. This simple step saves the company money by keeping your loyalty, so they pass on the savings. If you find yourself using some of the newer features on your cell phone such as text messaging or the internet, ask about unlimited features for these services on your plan. So many people send a text message for the cost of approximately $.15 each. This seems reasonable at the time, but whoa, when the bill comes in these charges rack up quickly. My husband’s cellular phone service provider, for example, offers unlimited text messages for $15 a month. A friend I know thought that sending a text message was free. When the bill came, it was over $400! Fifteen dollars sounds much better to me.
The public is bombarded with suggestions to conserve energy. If you have changed to energy efficient bulbs, turn off the television when you leave the room, and hang your clothes out on the line, it seems you have gotten the message. Still, your energy bill is higher than you like.
Do you have any choice but to deal with the rising energy costs?
Many communities now have options when it comes to the energy bill. Contact your local power company and ask about getting the energy from another provider at a lower cost. Usually, all you have to do is ask. Your bill will still come from the same company and everything. Give it a try.
Many people have wondered which is better, cable or satellite? Well, both can be great when you compare and take advantage of their promotions. I have been known to jump from one to the other at the end of a promotion just to get the better deal. Regardless of my preference between the two, the cable and satellite industries are in tough competition for your business. Call your company with the rates of the other service provider. If the competitor’s rates are lower, you may have room for negotiating. Recently, my cable promotion was about to expire. My rate was going to jump from under $40 to about $75 a month. This was completely unacceptable to me. When I called in with the details of another company’s rates and services, my rate stayed around the $40 mark. Plus, I had no need to switch providers. Make the company keep your loyalty.
The absolute best suggestion to keeping your bills down is to read the bill completely. Let’s face it. I don’t know anyone who enjoys doing the bills. Even fewer people want to take the time to read through the boring six pages associated with a phone bill, but it really can pay off. Upon checking into the charges on my phone bill, I found an unauthorized charge on my bill. I was able to dispute the charge and save $16 a month. Because I caught the charge in time, I was also able to receive a refund of any previous charges.
On the cell phone bill, a charge began appearing for internet service that we did not desire. We immediately contacted the company and had the service withdrawn from the plan and saved the cash.
Reading your bills thoroughly will not only help to find any errors, but will also keep you informed. When a new service becomes available, the bill is one of the first places to announce the new feature. Special programs that may be available for seniors, low-income families, or members of a certain club or organization may be available. Taking a look at the information provided with my natural gas bill, allowed me to lock into a lower rate for our gas price.
Taking a little time can save you a lot of cash on your household expenses. If the high bills get you down, then bring the bills down by comparison shopping. Read your bills carefully to watch for errors or upcoming promotions. It is your money. Let’s keep it that way.
