Make a Call or Switch Providers....Get an intant raise!

When is the last time you checked your cable or internet bill. I mean really looked at the breakdown of charges and what you are actually paying for each month. A year ago I was only paying $19.99 a month for my internet service and this month my bill jumped to $55.95!

I am willing to bet many of you have at one time or another noticed this same turn of events with your service. It starts out so low and reasonable and then one day you are trying to figure out, "When did my bill get so high"?

Cable and Internet Providers today often get new customers with their Teaser Rates.  

They advertise extremely reasonable rates in hopes of gaining new customers and then once you are "sucked in" its pretty easy to keep you. These are simply introductory rates to keep you happy during the "Honeymoon Phase" and then as time passes (6 months to a year depending on the deal you score) the teaser rate expires and the regular price kicks in. By this time many of us are comfortable with our service, we have stopped paying attention to our monthly bill, and quite possibly, we don't realize the opportunity to save is out there! All the while the company is earning more, and you are saving less.

Make a Change!  There is a simple way for you to save money on your cable/internet bill.  It involves 4 easy steps and no more than 30 to 45 minutes of your time.

1) Check your options - See what else is being offered out there.  For me this wasn't that hard. My email inbox gets advertising for lower internet and cable offers almost daily, and the the number of commercials on TV now?  Need I say more. It's obvious the TV and internet companies are out there trying to win you over. From your competitors ads, select which offer fits your needs and is the most reasonable to you and have it ready lying in front of you. This offer, your possible new bill, looks pretty appealing doesn't it?

2) Just Ask -   Before you make any changes, pick up the phone and call you current provider. Let them know you noticed a jump in your bill and ask what can be done to reduce your rate back to the teaser rate. Feel free to let them know there are other companies out there that can offer you a lower rate.  Most often they will tell you nothing can be done or a very little discount is offered.  That's ok. You are on the right path and these operators don't have a lot of leeway with decisions they can make.

3) Ask again - There is always going to be someone higher up the chain you can speak to. Ask to speak to their manager or another department, such as a Retention Department. Going up the ladder of command will give you another shot at getting the savings you deserve.  Remember, I asked you to check your competitors offers first. Be ready to use this as back up as you are speaking to the representative. Never be forceful or demanding. Be kind and let them know you appreciate their service, and you would like to know your options. Let them know you have better offers on the table and you may have to cancel your service if you can't get a better deal.  *Be ready to follow through with this*   You may be surprised at what they can do!

4)Make the change - If your current company can't match the offer you are seeing with another company, then be ready to make the change. If will save on your monthly bill and it will be worth it.

5)Repeat the above -Remember you just signed on to a new deal. This new deal is either with your current company because they gave you an extension on your discount or a new one altogether, or you went with a new company.  This new deal is almost always just another "teaser rate" because the company will do it's best to eventually get you back up to their regular rate. Mark your calendar for 6 months to a year from now and be ready to repeat the steps above in order to keep saving!

Here is proof with my personal experience.

Current Provider - Internet only                                           Compitors Offer -Internet Only
Monthly bill = $48.95                                                                  Monthly Bill = $29.95        
Monthly modem lease = $7.00                                                     Modem Purchase = $100
                                                                                                       (mine to keep)
12 Month Total = $671.40                                                           12 Month Total = $459.40

**My current provider couldn't offer me any more of a discount because this amount was a discount from the regular rate of $92 a month! When I couldn't get my current provider any lower, I switched. I just saved myself $212 for the year PLUS I have a modem that is mine to keep rather than having to lease one! This switch only cost me about 30 minutes of my time to do the research and make the phone calls**

Good luck and don't let the providers rob you of your money any longer!

Be frugal, NOT cheap!

As I write about encouraging everyone to be wiser with their money and make sure you have good spending habits, I realize I also need to let everyone know that this does not mean being cheap! As you try to save a little money here and there, please always remember I'm encouraging you to be frugal, not cheap.  Here are some examples showing the difference between the two.

-The Frugal will always tip on the FULL amount, even if using coupons or discounted pricing. The Cheap may not tip at all.

-The Frugal will offer to bring dessert or appetizer when being offered a free meal at someone's house. The Cheap will continuously mooch off of free meals sent their way without ever returning the favor.

-The Frugal will still buy quality products even though they cost a little more, because they last and will save them money in the long run. The Cheap will by inexpensive products that will fall apart  fast and have to be replaced or maintained more often, resulting in higher costs.

-The Frugal will welcome the opportunity to participate in free festivals or services, but remember to leave a little in the donation plate or even volunteer from time to time. The Cheap will show up every time, take part in ever free offering sent their way, and still complain about what they didn't like about it.

-The Frugal will negotiate a better price. The Cheap will whine, complain, and pitch a fit if they don't get the price they expect.

-The Frugal will always say thank you.  The Cheap..... well.....I think you get my point now.

 If you are acting in a cheap way in order to save money, you are only hurting yourself and possibly others. The world needs to act in a more frugal way for sure, but we need LESS cheap people as well. Challenge yourself in the coming days and weeks ahead to think twice about each time you are making a money saving decision. Decide if you are being cheap or frugal.  Go for frugal every time.  I promise it will pay off in the long run.  It will better your pocketbook and give you priceless moments in life!