Saving Money on Bills
From credit cards to car payments to electric bills, ongoing monthly payments can be difficult to trim. There are ways, though, to keep them more manageable.
If you carry credit card balances, the phone can be your friend! Every so often, give creditors a
call and request a lower interest rate.
To lower your electric bill, bake multiple things in the oven at the same time. In fact, consider making your own "heat & serve" microwave meals by baking several things at once in the oven first.
Ask for discounts! Often if you bundle services with a particular company, you can bank on discounts. Insure your home and car(s) through the same company. If you have cable TV,
ask for a discount on a cable Internet connection. If your cell phone carrier is also the long distance carrier on your home phone, ask for a discount.
Consider signing up for electronic statements/bills and automatic monthly payments to cash in on discount incentives. By signing up for electronic statements and bills, you save the company printing and postage costs which they can pass along to you in the form of discounts or credits.
Though it's an obvious way to save, it's worth mentioning - avoid late fees at all costs! These fees are often high and go towards nothing but digging you deeper into a hole! If you know you're going to be late, call the creditor in advance and explain the situation. Often they'll appreciate your honesty and can help you set up a payment plan and help you avoid the late fee entirely!
Forget to pay a bill? Check to see if you can make a payment via the creditors website or by phone. Some may charge a fee for the service and some don't. If there is a fee, find out if the fee will be cheaper than the late fee you would otherwise be charged.