From groceries and water to electricity and insurance, adults are responsible for several expenses they must pay each month. While making utility payments is undoubtedly necessary, many people are unknowingly overpaying every month.
If you’re ready to stop overpaying and save some cash, you can renegotiate your bills with your current providers or cut certain expenses altogether. Does your budget fit the bill? If not, consult this list of five common bills you might be overpaying.
Your PO box
Getting a PO box is a surefire way to keep your address private while ensuring that your mail and packages stay secured. Small boxes are generally cost-effective, but customers requiring larger-sized boxes may pay through the nose.
If you enjoy the security and privacy offered by a post office box but are wary of the financial strain, consider trying an online PO box. Online PO boxes are a more convenient and cheaper alternative to the traditional post office box. Since professionals operate online PO boxes, they’re just as secure and still provide full-service postal centers. You’ll even receive an actual street address, and you’ll be able to check your packages and mail from your laptop or phone.
Cell phone bill
Cell phone companies are constantly competing to acquire more customers and retain your business. Take advantage of the promotions and competition between providers to negotiate a cell phone bill that works for you.
If your bill seems excessively high, do some research to compare prices and plans from other companies to see if you can get your hands on a better deal elsewhere. Gather the necessary information and call your company to renegotiate your bill and inform them that you’ve found a similar package for a lower price. They may feel compelled to offer you a discount to keep your business.
Internet bill
The amount of internet you pay for is not always commensurate with what you receive from your internet service provider (ISP). For this reason, it’s crucial to compare these figures. Although internet providers may recommend certain internet speeds, your service must correspond with your needs.
By running a speed test, you can test your internet speed to figure out if you are, in fact, overpaying. Afterward, review your ISP’s plans and compare them with competitors’ to get a less expensive plan. If all else fails, you can always call your ISP and ask them about their current promotions.
Cable bill
Due to the advent of popular streaming services, cable companies are facing an appreciable decline in revenue as customers drop cable in exchange for streaming services. In response, cable companies have raised their prices, causing millions of people who still have cable to pay more than $100 a month depending on the package.
Call up a cable representative and negotiate a better deal with your capable company. Don’t forget to research discounts from other cable providers to have credible numbers on hand if you have to threaten to cancel your service.
Water bill
Similar to energy costs, you can’t negotiate a water bill. Still, there are ways to save money on fees. The average person uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water each month, far more than most people need. Take a look at your bill and see how much water you use each month. Next, set out to reduce that number by 10 percent every month.
You can start by never leaving your water running when shampooing your hair or brushing your teeth. Try to take shorter showers, use the shower at your local gym after exercising, or only run the dishwasher when it’s full. Implementing these small sustainable living changes can lead to huge savings.
Before you go
You can cut down on monthly bills by identifying extra fees or unnecessary add-ons to your service and renegotiating for better rates. After all, your service providers should be working for you.
