Cable and internet providers seem to be consistently raising the prices of their services. At times, they do this out of nowhere.
Receiving a surprise increase in your bill is not a pleasant experience. Negotiating with providers to lower your bill can be challenging as well.
You do not have to continue to wait on hold on the phone to find out why there is a mysterious expense on your bill.
In the sections below are some tips that you can follow to reduce your monthly bills and still enjoy your cable and internet services.
Tip 1: Cut Out Premium Cable TV Channels
One small step you can take to decrease your cable bills is to reduce the number of premium channels in your plan. Perhaps you took a bundle of channels, and now you do not watch them anymore.
It is important to pay attention to your cable bill in order to see which channels you are paying for.
If you decide to get rid of HBO, you can cheapen your cable bill by around $20. Letting go of Showtime may save you around $5 to $15 depending on the cable provider.
If you find that you are having a hard time cutting back on channels, then you may remove them temporarily. You can always buy them back the following month.
Tip 2: Get Cheap Cable and Internet by Bundling
When you bundle your internet and cable with certain cable providers, you can save around $1,000 within two years.
The cost of stand-alone internet or cable can cost around the same amount as the bundle itself. You may also receive membership rewards and bonuses, so contacting your provider for their offers can be beneficial.
It is beneficial to negotiate when ordering these bundles. There are times when the service representative will try to sell you bundles you do may not need.
If you only watch local channels, then you do not need a premium cable package. If you only use your internet service for paying bills and watching Netflix, then you do not need incredibly fast internet.
Tip 3: Learn How to Obtain Free Government Internet and Laptop With “PCs for People”
PCs for People is a program that reuses business electronics to provide low-income individuals, households or nonprofits with the chance to have internet and a computer.
To qualify, your income level needs to be 200 percent below the poverty level. The potential recipient can also qualify by currently be enrolled in a government assistance program.
Recipients of this program get a refurbished desktop and laptop computer, low-cost hotspot internet and affordable computer repair.
Their internet service cost begins at $16 per month, offering 4G LTE internet with no credit checks or hidden fees. If you need a repair for one of their computers, PCs for People charges $25 for basic repairs.
Tip 4: Receive Affordable Internet Service With LifeLine Internet
Similar to PCs for People, you must meet the income limit to receive discounted internet service. To qualify, your household income must be 135 percent below the poverty guidelines.
The poverty guidelines will vary depending on your household size or state you live in.
If you are participating in a government assistance program such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid, you may be automatically eligible.
If accepted into the program, you will receive $9.25 towards your bill each month to reduce the cost. One detail that is important to note is that not all providers work with Lifeline, so make sure to contact your provider to confirm if they work with this program.
This Lifeline discount may also apply to bundled services or telephone services. Once you qualify, you must continue to verify your eligibility to continue using the service.
