How'd you like to save money the next time you pay your bills? It's actually easier than you may think.
It all begins with negotiation.
Personal finance site GoBankingRates.com says that you can talk your way into a lower price on a number of different services. Phone bills, rent, insurance rates and medical bills can all be lowered through negotiation.
Contact 13 spoke with a person who says they regularly negotiate their phone bill.
"I always say I've looked at alternatives and I'll move unless maybe you can do something," said Michael. "They'll always do something and give you a better deal."
You should also make sure that you're on the best possible plan. If you aren't using all of your data you should probably switch plans and if you're constantly going over your limit you should switch to avoid paying fees. The same can be done with your cable provider. You can often get a better rate when you source a competitor's better pricing.
Your monthly rent is also negotiable. Don't want to move? Try signing a longer lease agreement at a lower rental price. If you're looking for a new place be sure to do your research. A quick search on rentometer.com will give you an idea of prices in your area, which will provide you with better leverage while negotiating.
You can try saving on auto insurance by switching companies.
"I move my insurance every year," said Michael. "There are websites out there. The internet makes it really easy."
Michael is right. Websites such as TheZebra, InsuranceQuotes, and CarInsurance.com allow users to compare insurance rates.
If it sounds like too much work consider this, a 2015 study from J.D. Power found people who switched insurers save an average of $388 on their annual premiums.
Finally, medical bills are also negotiable. It may not always work but the worst thing a collector can say is no, so it is worth the shot.
MedWise Insurance Advocacy says that offering to pay with cash, rather than credit, can save you between 10 and 50% on medical procedures.
