Whether you’re binge-watching shows on Netflix or just trying to keep up with your friends on Facebook, a good home internet connection is a necessity. Unfortunately, many people get tricked into thinking that they have to carry a bloated cable bundle in order to score affordable internet service. However, the truth is that you can cut the cord from cable and still get affordable internet service. Here are several ways to trim your bill.
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1. Arm yourself with competitor prices. The easiest way to lower your internet bill is to do your homework. Use a price comparison tool, such as the one at CutCableToday, to compare internet service providers, also called ISPs, in your area. Find out how much each ISP charges for standalone internet. Armed with that price information, contact your current provider and let the customer service representative know what the competition is charging. Your provider doesn’t want to lose your business, so it might be willing to offer you the same deal to keep you as a customer.
2. Check on promos. If promotional pricing is available, you may be eligible for a temporary price break. This could give you six months or even a year of a lower price on your account. Often, you can renegotiate this deal when your promotional price is ending.
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3. Lower your speed. You might think that it’s best to get the internet package with the highest possible speed, but for most homes a high-speed account ends up being a waste of money. For example, when you’re streaming Netflix, you only need around 5 megabits per second, or mbps, per stream. So, if you have two people in the same home watching Hulu and Netflix at the same time, you’d need about 10 mbps. Most homes can get away with between 20 and 30 mbps of internet speed.
4. Keeping cable? Consider the bundle. Cable companies love to tell you that you save money with bundle offers, but that isn’t necessarily the case. A lot of the time, people end up with more than they need or want in a bundle, and it costs them more than it would’ve if they’d just ordered the basics of what they wanted. However, there are some fair deals out there if you search carefully. Just remember, the quoted price often leaves out hidden fees, so ask for the price with everything included. Also, consider what your bundle price will be once the promotional period ends.
5. Get your own modem and router. When you sign up for service, your equipment is given to you, but it’s important to realize that you don’t own the equipment … you’re renting it. Your modem/router combination will cost you around $10 per month. So, if you buy your own modem, you can shave that price from your bill. You’ll likely find yourself spending around $150 to get your own modem and router, so it will take you about a year to realize the savings.
[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]
6. Threaten to cancel. Whether you plan to cancel or not, sometimes suggesting that you will is enough to get your internet bill lowered. Most major telecommunications companies have specific customer service departments that focus on keeping their customers. It’s these agents that have the power to offer you discounts, special deals or even lower your bill. In many cases, they want your business bad enough that they’ll buckle to keep it. So when you call, ask for the retention department.
7. Use a bill negotiation service. Don’t feel like calling and negotiating? There are several services out there that will help to negotiate your bills, so you can get a lower price. The process is pretty simple — you send them your bills, and they call and renegotiate on your behalf. If they save you money, they charge you a percentage of your savings. If they can’t you don’t pay. There’s really nothing to lose.
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7 Ways to Save Money on Your Internet Bill originally appeared on usnews.com
