What is your best money saving tip?

[bank5]

I'm sure people have some great tips on here.

Not sure if this is my "greatest" tip but I recently started calling the companies that I pay on a monthly/yearly basis (home insurance, car insurance, internet, phone, etc). I simply tell them how long I've been with the company and ask if there is any way to lower my payments or if there are any current deals for their customers. I'll probably save close to a $1000 this year simply from placing a few calls. Seems like business are really trying to keep their customers and give them a break during these tough economic times. Sometimes you get someone who isn't as friendly so I'll keep the conversation short and call back a couple days later to get someone else.

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bank5 I'm sure people have some great tips on here. Not sure if this is my "greatest" tip but I recently started calling the companies that I pay on a monthly/yearly basis (home insurance, car insurance, internet, phone, etc). I simply tell them how long I've been with the company and ask if there is any way to lower my payments or if there are any current deals for their customers. I'll probably save close to a $1000 this year simply from placing a few calls. Seems like business are really trying to keep their customers and give them a break during these tough economic times. Sometimes you get someone who isn't as friendly so I'll keep the conversation short and call back a couple days later to get someone else.

This sounds quite good. Could you give concrete examples of the companies or types of companies you have called and what they did for you?

Ha

[bank5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha This sounds quite good. Could you give concrete examples of the companies or types of companies you have called and what they did for you? Ha

Home insurance - It seemed like my dwelling was over insured. I called and they ran their "estimator". It was over insured and it lowered my insurance by 40% - over $400. I also called a few months back and the lady recommended raising my deductible from $500 to $1000 saving a decent amount.

Car insurance - I was recently married and called about my wife's insurance. The guy recommended combining both cars onto the same policy saving 20% on her car premium.

TV - I was paying ~$40 on Dish Network. I called saying I wanted to cancel. The lady told me about a loyal customer package for $10 (+$5 for local channels). I have just about the same channels as the $40 package.

Internet - I have DSL and thought you needed a land phone line with it. I then read this about AT&T having to provide "naked" dsl. Naked AT&T DSL Expands - Though AT&T still doesn't tell anyone about it... - dslreports.com

[lsbcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bank5 ... Internet - I have DSL and thought you needed a land phone line with it. I then read this about AT&T having to provide "naked" dsl. Naked AT&T DSL Expands - Though AT&T still doesn't tell anyone about it... - dslreports.com

Here in California we keep the landline in case of an earthquake. I'm guessing that "naked dsl" would go out in a severe earthquake but let me know if I'm wrong.

[lsbcal]

1) We use the Schwab VISA card for many purchases. It pays 2% back with no strings attached. I think you need to open a Schwab One account.

2) On sunny winter days we turn off the thermostat around noon and let the house warm up. Then I start a fire in the fireplace around 4pm or so. I use those little starter logs which I split in 4 pieces and so it starts 4 fires worth. A little butane soaking and the thing works like a charm if you first build a little wood "house" in your fireplace, then put the starter in the "house" and burn the "house" down .

P.S. You can also get a little nuts in retirement.

[Hershey102]

Called my home/auto insurance company recently and indicated that I was thinking about getting a competitive quote and would they perhaps give me a requote. The savings? $629. No coverage limitation or deductible changes. The insurance industry seems to automatically raise rates every year, apparently counting on most of us just mailing in the check and not taking the time to ask for a requote.

[Notmuchlonger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bank5 I'm sure people have some great tips on here. Not sure if this is my "greatest" tip but I recently started calling the companies that I pay on a monthly/yearly basis (home insurance, car insurance, internet, phone, etc). I simply tell them how long I've been with the company and ask if there is any way to lower my payments or if there are any current deals for their customers. I'll probably save close to a $1000 this year simply from placing a few calls. Seems like business are really trying to keep their customers and give them a break during these tough economic times. Sometimes you get someone who isn't as friendly so I'll keep the conversation short and call back a couple days later to get someone else.

That has worked with my cable company the last 2 times for 6months a stretch. We usually get discounted service and hbo+stars for free. I usually call and flat out ask if they are offering discounts to long term subscribers.

[CuppaJoe]

I recently discovered that you can put Netflix on hold. I'll be taking 90 days off starting at the end of the week. I'm retired now and am too busy to watch all those movies.

[snodog]

Don't buy anything.

[Notmuchlonger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snodog Don't buy anything.

Genius. Why didnt I think of that!

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snodog Don't buy anything.

But if you just can't resist and feel you must, at least think twice before buying anything with a handle - it almost always involves work.

[73ss454]

I think the best way to save money is not to invest in the stock market when you know it's going to go down.

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73ss454 I think the best way to save money is not to invest in the stock market when you know it's going to go down.

Well darn!

[ziggy29]

Learn to enjoy life without a lot of stuff -- learn to enjoy the free or nearly free pleasures of life. It's a change of mindset, but if you can accomplish it and don't need a lot of "stuff" to make you happy, there's really no better way to save more of what you earn.

[Trek]

When you're driving and need to clear the windshield with washer fluid, don't hold down the windshield washer spray lever giving one steady stream, but pulsate it instead in short bursts.

You can save dollars every year if you drive where your windshield gets dirty frequently.

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trek When you're driving and need to clear the windshield with washer fluid, don't hold down the windshield washer spray lever giving one steady stream, but pulsate it instead in short bursts. You can save dollars every year if you drive where your windshield gets dirty frequently.

I have printed your post and taped it to the dashboard of DW's car!

Heaven help me when she sees it!

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by youbet I have printed your post and taped it to the dashboard of DW's car! Heaven help me when she sees it!

Likely that more retirements have been destroyed by divorce than by overuse of windshield washer fluids, but I could be wrong.

I just might make a separate categoy in MS Money for Windhield Wiper Fluids. This could be the budget breakthrough I have been seeking.

Ha

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha Likely that more retirements have been destroyed by divorce than by overuse of windshield washer fluids, but I could be wrong.

I think you just might be right. And it hits home.

A week from Saturday marks our 39th yr of wedded bliss. I have been blatantly negligent in providing adequate recognition of past anniversaries. But this year I think I'm going to ignore the concept of "forgetting about your anniversary as a money saving tip" and go ahead and buy something for DW. Now, if I could only think of what........ A gal of window washer fluid? Or, since divorce can be an expensive proposition, perhaps getting her somethng appropriate and nice might actually turn out to be the most "money saving" thing I could do?

[DJRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha I just might make a separate categoy in MS Money for Windhield Wiper Fluids. This could be the budget breakthrough I have been seeking. Ha

Yes we could identify it as your "Washer Fluid Factor" and if you invested this money you too can be rich in 100 years

Then we can sell a lot of books and get rich ourselves

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29 Learn to enjoy life without a lot of stuff -- learn to enjoy the free or nearly free pleasures of life. It's a change of mindset, but if you can accomplish it and don't need a lot of "stuff" to make you happy, there's really no better way to save more of what you earn.

Well.....sorta. But we find that doing things and having experiences is more costly than staying home with "stuff." Entertainment, vacations and that sort of thing far surpasses our "stuff buying" expenditures. Just coming down your way for a couple weeks of fishing on Lake LBJ last winter cost me more than a new plasma large screen TV!

Oh yeah, those "free or nearly free pleasures of life," they're OK but seeing Jersey Boys at $90/ticket was sure a lot more enjoyable than sitting on a blanket at the gazebo in our local park listening to the local amateur musicians give a free concert!

I get your point Zig, but I'll have to work on DW if we're going to cut out "stuff" and "experiences."