I called up my Internet provider and another Internet-related service provider this month, and they reduced my monthly rates by $5 and $10. I hadn't checked their recent rates. They don't tell you when they go DOWN. I also own some domain names and asked that those rates be reduced.
Everybody should check their landline phone plans on a regular basis, too. They are notorious for charging you more than they need to.
We don't have cable. I search for cable shows I've heard about and Google their names and "full episodes." We can connect the laptop to the big TV and watch them on the TV if we want.
Shop thrift stores; shop online and never order anything without first searching for an online coupon. 98 percent of the time, there's a coupon.
Use a Tracfone for a cell phone; used only for emergencies. When I didn't have a cell phone, I once used my laptop as a phone at JFK airport, using a headset and Skype and their $2.95/month program that I used for a month.
We do recycle every single thing possible. We'll even donate unusable clothes to Goodwill, and they pile it with unsold clothes and sell it to be recycled.
If they sell something at the dollar store that I need, I buy it at the dollar store. I saved $2 yesterday by going to the dollar store to buy some craft materials for the kids' craft project instead of buying them all at Michael's.
My husband makes his own wheat bread every week in the bread machine; I'm sure that saves money.
He also makes food for the dogs. Our dogs eat half dry food and half chicken, rice, and vegetables bought at Sam's Club or Costco. Sometimes they eat better than I do.
Instead of dog biscuits, I'll microwave a big potato, let it cool for an hour or two, and then it slices very easily, and those are the dog's "biscuits." They love them.
I've been reducing my calorie intake recently, so when we do go out to eat, I always get half of it in a "to go" box immediately, and that's the next day's lunch for me.
The one thing I've learned is to always ask if there's a way you can lower the bill (many types of bills). Don't take the first answer, just keep asking. It's amazing the power that customer service people have to make you happy.
P.S. I also found it's smart to always ask the doctor for samples of prescription drugs -- ask every single time and try to get as much of it as possible.
Also, always, always, always check the manufacturer web sites for coupons. You can save $25 to $50 a month, and that's after the insurance has kicked in. I also was able to quit expensive acid reflux drugs by chewing sugar-free gum and also drinking chamomile tea and ginger tea. It solves the problem. That tip was from the People's Pharmacy newspaper column. (And if you drink the ginger tea with a little milk and sugar or sugar substitute, it tastes like a liquid ginger cookie.
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my cuts
^reps to you...
