A Reminder: Ask for Lower Rates

The other day I called the phone company to ask about cancelling my home phone service, but keeping my internet service. They provided the information and then let me know that a new offer had just come out which would lower my bill $10 per month AND upgrade my internet speed ... with no negative changes to my account.

I said, "Heck yes, sign me up." I am still considering cancelling the home phone service and looking at alternatives, but haven't made a decision yet.

Cable and phone companies are very competitive right now, for good reason.

• in most areas your home phone company can provide your cable and internet service
• your cable company can provide your cable and phone service
• in some areas there is direct competition between phone or cable companies
• many people have given up home phone service and use only their cell phone
• many people have given up cable, watching tv on the internet
• magicJack
• Roku

If you haven't called your cable and home telephone provider lately to request a better rate do so. And shop around. 

Tip: More on Lowering the Electric Bill

A few of the things we've done to lower the electric bill are:

• turn off lights and fans when leaving rooms
• unplug items not in use
• raise the AC temperature
• turn off the downstairs AC at night, raise the upstairs AC during the day
• short showers
• large laundry loads, doing laundry less frequently
• open the blinds during the day for light, close them when the sun hits those windows
• change AC filters monthly

For other ideas to lower the electric bill try these links (read the comments on the first two posts as well for more tips):
13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
10 Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
Becoming Green By Spending Less - Lower the Electric Bill

Any tips to add to the list?

Tip: Lowering The Electric Bill

This post was featured at Money Saving Mom and bears repeating.

"For a long time, I’ve been on my kids to turn the lights off, unplug things we’re not using, close the doors, take shorter showers, etc. They were tired of hearing it and weren’t listening.

One day a light bulb went on in the brain and I presented my children with the following offer: Each month the electric bill was below $190 they’d get the dollar amount the bill was below $190 (i.e.: if the bill were $180 they’d get $10). That money would go towards a party, be it candy, ice cream, cake, pizza, chips, whatever they could buy with that money. (more here)"

Save on Winter Heat Bills

With the arrival of fall comes the falling of temperatures and the most likely, inevitable rise of our heating bill.  If you’re searching for some easy ways to save energy this year and keep that bill more manageable, we’ve compiled an extensive list of 24 easy ways to conserve energy and save money ... Read the very informative and thorough article here at Northern Cheapskate.