Identifying Costly Mistakes in Your Spending Habits
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It can be tough to budget your money, but sometimes we can all get a little carried away with our spending. Whether it’s due to a lack of awareness or simply not knowing where to start, we can easily fall victim to paying too much for things.
Have you ever received a bill in the mail to renew your service and realized that you were already paying for that same service with another company, or that you were already covered for that same service by an even different company?
What is your car warranty policy and automobile insurance policy cover for towing? If you have coverage, then you are already paying for that service.
This is a list of ways to cut down on your budget where you can save money.
Do your own inventory and find savings in areas you may not have thought of when you’re paying too much.
You May Be Paying Too Much For Roadside Services
Before deciding to drop any services, it is important to review your current coverage and make sure that the service you are keeping is actually necessary and you aren’t paying too much. However, dropping unnecessary services can save you money in the long run.
TV Services
To help you figure out which subscription service is best for you, an analysis of your viewing habits can be helpful. For example, if you tend to watch a lot of TV shows on Netflix, it might be better to subscribe to Netflix and cancel others. If you prefer watching movies and TV shows on Hulu instead, subscribing to Hulu may be a good choice for you. However, if most of your programming comes from cable or satellite providers like DirectTV or Dish Network, then it might not make sense to switch services since those providers offer more than one option for watching television.
By dropping an $80/month satellite service and skipping a $2.40 weekly trip to the big red box, you can save $1,022 this year.
When you limit your TV options, you may not be able to watch them right away. However, you’ll still enjoy watching them when they do eventually come out, and you’ll enjoy the extra money you’ve saved!
Phone/Internet/TV Services
Many people know this, but how many actually take advantage of these bundles? If you are going with a TV service as listed above, and you have internet or phone services, then be sure to get a bundle price.
If you see a new customer offer, be sure to ask if they will extend the deal to you. If they say no, don’t feel bad asking for a discount. After all, it’s always good business to be generous with your customers!
If you are unhappy with your purchase, you may be able to get a similar deal if you speak to the customer retention department. They will likely offer this to their loyal customers first before giving it away to others.
Internet
Unless you work from home, it may be a good idea to investigate using your mobile phone as a hot spot to provide internet service for your devices. This can often be done for a small additional fee, depending on your cell plan. Make sure to check with your provider before committing to this type of service.
There are a number of ways to get online without relying on your cell phone service. One option is to use Wi-Fi instead. You can find free hotspots all around town, or you can pay for a subscription to a data service that provides access anywhere there’s an internet connection.
Use these tips to start reviewing areas where you may be paying too much, and start saving today! And don’t stop there! Make a list of other areas you thought of and get to work, saving your hard-earned dollars. Your piggy bank will squeal in delight!
Ready to get out of debt? Here are 5 Best Practices For Getting Out Of Debt Quick And Easily!
