You’ve heard it a million times, if you just quit drinking that daily Starbucks you’ll be a millionaire! Whatever! Allow me to give you 4 REAL suggestions for finding money in 2015. I say “finding” instead of “saving” because these tips require ZERO changes in your spending. I can almost guarantee you are throwing away money needlessly and can get it back with just a few phone calls.
1. Check your cell phone account – How much data and time are you paying for vs. how much are you actually using? Most people are paying for more than they need. Call your provider for a usage check and ask if they have new programs that weren’t in place when you first signed up that could reduce your costs.
2. Check your credit card interest rates – If you always make your credit card payments on time, call the lender and ask for a lower interest rate. In most cases, the credit card company will appreciate your timely payments and loyalty and offer a lower interest rate.
3. Check your TV usage – The age of cable or satellite seems to be coming to an end. If you’re paying $100 a month for viewing, think about what you’re actually watching. For a mere $30 you can turn your TV into an Internet-ready streaming device with Google Chromecast or a similar device. For $9 a month, you can subscribe to Netflix, and for another $10 or so you can get HULU. You can also rent movies via options such as Amazon or Google Play. Is it time to pull the plug on that cable bill?
4. Check your electricity usage – Almost every provider of electricity has a “Time of Use” plan that allows you to choose what hours of the day will be your “prime time” for billing. In other words, power used during specific hours will cost more than the rest of the day. Call your power company and they’ll do an analysis of your power usage to determine which of their plans will save you the most money. I have a 3,000 sq ft. home and when I did this, I saved over $50 a month! That’s real money folks!
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