Reducing the cost of what you use Money Saving Tips

As well as trying to spend less, could you get a better deal on the services and products you do, or don’t, need, and so reducing the cost of what you use?

Here’s what to do when reducing the cost of what you use.

81. TV

If you pay for cable TV, are you on the right plan for the type of programs you like?

Are you looking for movies but can only find sports?
Are you paying more than new customers are?
Are you buying individual programs for the kids?

Why not ask how you could get a better deal?

Keep looking for special deals on adverts and online, and see if there’s an offer that better meets your needs.

Perhaps you could threaten to cancel, and see if you can get a better deal that way.

Many companies will do everything they can to keep a customer, so you might well have the upper hand.

Remember, new customers often get the best deals, so it might be worth seeing whether another provider wants your business instead.

82. Internet

Again, check to see if any other ISPs are offering a better deal, and see if your current provider will match it?

Do you have a

Download limit?
Slow download speed?
Unreliable connection?

Why not ask what your provider will do about it?

Remember, there are other options and providers too.

If you do a bit of homework first, and see what others are offering, you’ll be armed with all the information you need to get a better deal.

83. Smartphone

If you need a smartphone, perhaps for work, or for keeping up with what the kids are doing, or to keep you entertained on your commute to and from work, then you’ll definitely want to get value for money.

Are you:

Getting the most from your cellphone?
Paying for minutes or data you don’t use?
Going over your limits regularly?

Could you get a better deal by switching to a new contract or carrier?

Look what other carriers are offering and see if your current carrier can match them. If not, it might be time for a change.

Again, if you threaten to cancel, you might be offered a better deal.

84. Gym

If you’re paying for a gym membership, are you making the most of it? Could you get a better deal?

Perhaps you could:

Go at cheaper off-peak times
Downgrade your membership because you don’t go to any of the classes you’re paying for
Find a gym nearer to home or work instead

Maybe you don’t go at all because it’s not convenient for you anymore and you’ve not got round to cancelling it.

Maybe you could save money by going for a run or ride outside, instead of on a treadmill or on an exercise bike.

85. Magazines

If you’re subscribing to traditional printed magazines, are you:

Reading each issue?
Learning something every month?
Are you getting your money’s worth?

Depending on the type of magazine, it might be worth every penny thanks to the in depth journalism, product reviews and interviews.

Alternatively, you might be able to get more up to date and accurate information you want from a website. For free.

86. Newspapers

Do you really need to buy a newspaper every day?

You can get more accurate and up to date news online, and on your cellphone where and when you need it.

However, if you like reading the classified ads, doing the crossword on your commute home and finding out what’s happening near you, it could be money well spent.

87. Professional associations

Are you benefiting from being a member of professional associations?

Perhaps you’re a tradesperson and need the reassurance and customers that membership brings, or perhaps you’ve paid for something and haven’t seen any value from membership.

Could that money be saved, or better spent elsewhere in your business?

88. Home maintenance

If you regularly use the same gardener, painter or mechanic, and you’re not entirely happy, why not see if you could save money by changing?

Perhaps you’ll prefer paying a bit more for a reliable tradesperson who knows what you need, and always does a good job.

89. Website subscriptions

What websites do you pay for?

Perhaps you pay for things like a newspaper, a training site, a professional social networking site, dating site, music streaming site or to watch films or sports online.

Maybe you:

Needed the professional social network when you were unemployed last year
Have finished your training
Got married recently

So you don’t need them at all anymore.

Are you really getting value for money?

Could you cancel, downgrade your subscription or go back to the free version without missing out on too many features or benefits?

90. Computer software

If you purchase outright or pay annually for things like:

Office software
Photography or graphics package
Anti-virus software

Then perhaps you can find cheaper alternatives or subscriptions.

Or is now is the time to try a free or online version of the type of software you need?

Conclusion

Now you know about what to look for if you’re reducing the cost of what you use, you can get better deals and decide whether you’re getting value for money , and whether it is the best use of your money.

What other subscriptions and monthly payments have you go that you could live without?

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