Want to free up some room in your budget without a lot of work? Most of us are used to paying for the same things month after month without giving them a lot of thought. By making just a few simples calls, however, you can generate some savings that will pay you back month after month.
1. Call your cable company. Competition is fierce in the pay-for-tv market. Alternatives like satellite TV, DirecTV, and competing cable companies mean that you can often negotiate a better deal than you’re currently getting. Many cable company’s customer service agents are authorized to negotiate with you so give them a call and let them know you’re shopping around.
You can also make changes in your service that will affect your bill. Are you paying for channels that you don’t watch? Cancel them. Are you paying for local phone service, long distance, high speed internet, and cable TV with different companies? Combine some services with one company and watch your bill go down!
2. Check your bank statement. All checking and savings accounts are not created equal. Some banks charge for services like using your debit card for a PIN transaction, paying your bills online, and even talking to customer service agents. Check your monthly statement to see what kind of services you’re being charged for and then shop around for free alternatives.
3. Call your credit card company. Credit card issuers have a sneaky way of inching rates up on you. The Federal Reserve has been raising rates of late and credit card rates have been following suit. And if you’ve been late with a payment or over your limit even once, card issuers will often raise your rate for that as well.
There’s hope, however. Like the cable companies, the customer service agents at credit card companies are often authorized to lower your rate when asked. If they don’t, ask to speak to a supervisor. If that doesn’t get a result, start checking out the 0% balance transfer offers that no doubt fill up your mailbox weekly!
4. Dump a subscription. What product or service are you subscribing to that you’re not really taking advantage of? Magazines going unread? Gym membership going unused? Signed up for an internet site that you rarely visit? Take the time to cancel the subscription for an instant savings.