Introduction: How to Save on Phone, Cable, and Internet Service

By cabletelevisionbundles
About: Hi, My name is TOM and I work as a certified IT computer technician. I know some about virus removal, operating system installation and repair, hardware upgrades and laptop maintenance.

Everyone knows that you can save money on cable, phone, and internet by bundling services through the same company. However, there are other ways to save on each of these luxuries. Here are a few tips to help you lower your phone, cable, and internet bills.

Step 1: Phone Service

There are many different things you can do to save on phone service. Start by analyzing your telephone usage. Do you have a cell phone and a land line? If so, you could probably drop the land line and save a significant amount of money each year. If you would like to keep your land line but lower the cost of long-distance service, consider making calls through the internet. There are several services, including Skype and Fring, which allow you to make internet calls for free.

You can also consider dropping some of the extras. Voicemail, call waiting, texting, internet service, and similar extras can be nice, but they can also add quite a bit to your monthly phone bill. You should only pay for what you use and what you feel like you cannot do without.

Finally, be sure to shop around. There are many telephone service options to choose from.

Step 2: Cable Service

The average American spends more than $800 per year on television service. The problem with this is that many people simply can’t afford to chuck out this much money each year. If you want a better deal, you will more than likely have to ask for it. The cheap promotional deals that new customers get only last for so long. You have to insist on a better deal once you become a “regular” customer.

Your best bet will be to speak with someone in the cancellation department or customer retention department. Front line operators and regular customer service representatives may want to help you but they do not typically have the authority to offer special deals and promotions.

It is also important to be prepared prior to making the call or contacting a rep via online chat. Take time to research competitor offers and the promotional deals provided to new customers. Know how much other people pay. Although it is not reasonable to demand a 90 percent discount on your cable service, you may be able to lower your bill $20 to $30 per month be asking for the same deal that new customers get.

It is also important to remember that cable service isn’t the only option available for TV viewers. Nowadays, it is easy to watch streaming movies and television shows right on your home computer or Blu-ray player. Services like Netflix and Hulu are low-cost and offer much of the same programming provided by cable companies. You can also rent movies, television shows, and documentaries from companies like Amazon and Blockbuster for a fraction of the cost.

Step 3: Internet Service

Internet service is now available nationwide–even in some of the country’s most rural areas. This means that there are lots of different internet service providers competing for your business. There are also a number of connection types to choose from.

Be sure to take time to shop around to compare the connections and ISPs available in your area. You can choose from wireless and cable. If you are on a really tight budget, you may also want to consider DSL. There are several companies that offer free DSL service. High speed DSL can also be purchased for a relatively low monthly cost.

You can also try sharing internet service with a neighbor (with the neighbor’s permission) or taking advantage of promotional offers available to new customers. Either of these things could cut your monthly internet bill in half. You can also try negotiating with your current provider to get a lower rate. Your ISP may be willing to offer you a discount if you take time to ask for it.