Trying to cut bills is harder thatn I thought it would be

**imagine** · 08-30-2011, 04:55 PM

So we looked at our bills and tried to change them into our favor.

It was harder than I thought. We researched before getting them the extras like cable internet and cell phones to get what we wanted at a good deal.

So trying to lower them today was not very fruitful.

Take cable and internet for one. We could lower them by about 8 dollars a month. We had a old plan and the new plans were way more expensive and come with contracts. So for that 8 a month we would lose the DVR have to rent their modem have limited internet and lose most of our tv channels.

Cell phone was similar.

Electric, gas, water, and trash there is no choice you get what you you get. To lower your bills you just have to watch how much you use.

Man, we were just to good from the get go and can't lower the bills now.

Have yet to figure out how we will lower the monthly out go.

**mommy4ever** · 08-30-2011, 05:52 PM

I hear you on bills.

The only what to cut the utilities is to be frugal users. lights off, temp higher in the summer, lower in the winter. Limiting - tv time to conserve power, or computer time- set an hour you use it, the rest of the time it's off.

Since ds17 is working full time, we've passed on his cell bill to him, lowering ours by 35. We don't have to buy a bus pass for him, as he carpools with dh to work. He is also purchasing some of his lunch foods. This has been a great eye opener for him, he isn't over indulging in many things now, as he is seeing the costs first hand.

So while he's working we're saving about $86/mo. Then it's back to school for him for 6 months, then he'll be paying these things again.

Dh says if he's working full time, he's paying room and board. While he's in school(8-12 weeks once a year for 4 years) he'll be given grace from it. So he doesn't take advantage.

**Vanilla** · 08-30-2011, 06:04 PM

I totally agree.
I'll check with the auto insurance to reduce the usage of 1 car, since DS will be out of state for the school year; hopefully a $30 month reduction (still need to keep the car insure, since I might be driving it occasionally). Next is the cable, that would be $10 less per month.
I can't see a lot changes in other utilities bills.

**bumplett** · 08-30-2011, 06:57 PM

Yep, I agree.

I cancelled our garbage service & choose to recycle everything possible (free) & take one bag of trash a week to either my mom's house, my MIL's house, or toss it in my hubby's dump trailer (work) - so maybe you have that option if you have a recycling center near by?? And a friend or family member that will let you toss in a bag a week??

**imagine** · 08-30-2011, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

Yep, I agree.

I cancelled our garbage service & choose to recycle everything possible (free) & take one bag of trash a week to either my mom's house, my MIL's house, or toss it in my hubby's dump trailer (work) - so maybe you have that option if you have a recycling center near by?? And a friend or family member that will let you toss in a bag a week??

Nope trash is through the city and every house is required to have service. No alternative. Everyone gets the same size can and assigned a curb side pick up day all the same price no matter what, you use it or not.

**Palooka** · 08-30-2011, 07:04 PM

It can be hard and I've been working on it.

Dropped the Dish down 2 packages. A few whines. (never thought I would do this!)
Cut down AT&T net/land line service about 30 bucks a month just by calling.
Cut 2 cell phone plans insurance. 10 bucks a month.
Liability on one car. (hope that wasn't a stupid move)

That's about all I can do for now.

**imagine** · 08-30-2011, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Palooka

It can be hard and I've been working on it.

Dropped the Dish down 2 packages. A few whines. (never thought I would do this!)
Cut down AT&T net/land line service about 30 bucks a month just by calling.
Cut 2 cell phone plans insurance. 10 bucks a month.
Liability on one car. (hope that wasn't a stupid move)

That's about all I can do for now.

We just cut the cell phone bill by $20 cut the insurance part Like you did
we are thinking about cutting the home phone and use just the cell phone a bit nervous about that but would save $34 a month as long as it does not make us go over our cell phone mins.

**McD** · 08-30-2011, 07:20 PM

What about raising deductible on auto/home insurance? That can decrease premiums.

We are in the same boat with cable/net. The best promo rate locks us in for 2 years and is higher than the current plan we are on. We are canceling cable, increasing our Internet speed and adding Netflix. By doing that, we will save 50 month.

**shoiji** · 08-30-2011, 07:45 PM

Any chance you can cut the phone down to just basic service. No bells or whistles?

Hang in there. I am sure you will think of something.

**imagine** · 08-30-2011, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by shoiji

Any chance you can cut the phone down to just basic service. No bells or whistles?

Hang in there. I am sure you will think of something.

Have already been at no bells or whistles for a long while. We can receive calls and make local calls and we live in a very small local calling area.

You would also be surprised how many people assume you have caller ID you should know they called, you should know who they are, you should know their number sorry no caller I'd here you will have to tell me who you are when I pick up. Want me to know your number you will have to tell me. Want me to know you called leave a message on the answering machine or I will have no idea you called

**Mojjo** · 08-30-2011, 08:08 PM

Our biggest saver was getting rid of a cell phone plan and getting a TracPhone. But otherwise, you're right, it's hard to make big changes when you didn't go overboard to begin with.

**imagine** · 08-30-2011, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mojjo

Our biggest saver was getting rid of a cell phone plan and getting a TracPhone. But otherwise, you're right, it's hard to make big changes when you didn't go overboard to begin with.

What is a trac phone? Can you text with it?

Just looked it up on the net looks like coverage is iffy where I live

**ladytoysdream** · 08-30-2011, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

What is a trac phone? Can you text with it?

Yes.

We bought these I think it is 3 yrs now this fall. We don't use the texting. We bought the ones with the double promotion minutes for lifetime of phone. Buy a $ 20 card every 3 months. Go online and find a bonus code to use first. And then go to the tracfone website to add the new card. And or you can buy minutes through the tracfone site. I have done it both ways. We bought our phones at Walmart. I have seen them at other stores also.
So it works out to about $ 7 each month for each of us. Relatives now give us $ 20 cards at Xmas or birthdays

We have no problem with reception where we live. Hubby needs his for his job. I don't use mine a lot but it sure has come in handy more than once.

**Mojjo** · 08-30-2011, 08:34 PM

You can text it. You can even get one that is like a smartphone.

But I've only spent about $20 every other month on my phone as opposed to $110 a month on the three of us before.

**bumplett** · 08-30-2011, 10:36 PM

I cancelled our home phone about a year ago, and got big J a cell - actually, it was just my old cell, $10 extra a month to add him to our plan-

We don't miss the house phone. I left a corded phone in the kitchen for emergency 911 use - even without service, it can still call 911. (I think that's neat)

We also dropped full coverage on both cars (older cars/paid for)

so far, it wasn't a mistake.... ((knock on wood))

I kept uninsured motorist - just in case.

I pay $13 for basic B A S I C cable - that gives us 13 channels (local) - but I've been debating cancelling that also - then we will get fuzz. BUT we can always watch movies, or watch shows online -

That's a tough one for me.... cause I think "well, it's only $13/month"

It used to be $9, it keeps creeping up and that annoys me enough to cancel it.

We really don't watch much t.v. anyway....

Anyway: I vote cancel your home phone!! If you hate it, you can always connect it again.