Have you called your service providers in 2017?
If you haven't talked to your service providers this year, it is time to look up their websites, figure out what your account number is and call them up, or even better chat with a representative. If you can chat with support, you can get other things done (like tweak your budget) while you negotiate with them.
What do I mean by service providers?
I mean everyone you pay monthly and thought you couldn't get a better price on. Especially those (like cell phones) that have the flashy commercials trying to recruit new customers. Just because you have done your research and found the best deal when you signed with them, doesn't mean they are looking out for your best interest now.
Do Your Research
Check out the deals the other providers give, if you find a better deal elsewhere, then by all means switch. But if you want to stay with your current provider, make sure you have ammunition to work with. This will also give you a purpose and goal of what to expect. Remember, you want anything less than what you pay now.
OK, Ready, Go.
If you can chat, it is better because you can get other things done while you wait when they "check with their supervisor". If you need to call them, use a headset, headphones with a microphone or be somewhere where you can talk on speakerphone, this way you'll be hands free to do on the spot research.
My Story
My mobile phone company which shall remain nameless, has ads that feature a little girl at a lemonade stand who tells her customer that her $1 lemonade will actually cost more because of taxes and fees. So I decided to ask why I was still paying for taxes and fees even though I am a long time customer. The conversation started rather slowly with lots of "nos" and praise about how my grandfathered account had features for a price unheard of in the newer accounts. Then we got to the discussion about taxes and fees to which the representative (after talking to his supervisor), asked me if I wanted to "switch" to take advantage of the no taxes and no fees option. Yes, please I said. Wow, $12 a month!! Just for asking.$12 A Month Isn't A Lot of Money
Let's do the math. Scott Alan Turner has an investment calculator on his site - https://scottalanturner.com/tools/investing-calculator/ If I invest $12 a month for the next 20 year without touching it, it will be worth over $9,000! Every penny counts, as you will see when you use Acorns or Digit.
Don't Stop There
After I reduced my bill by $12 a month, I was motivated to do more. So I asked them about my employee discount. Huh? What employee discount? So I told them about the 15% and the 19% discount plans my company had with the other mobile service providers. "It would be a real shame to leave this company", I told them, "but I really need to watch my finances". His response was, "We value you being a customer for over 10 years, let me put you in touch with our "Loyalty Department". Bingo, I'll update this post if the Loyalty Department gets back to me with good news.
If you try to recreate my success, please post in the comments and let me know. Also make sure you ask for the "Loyalty Department" and if they don't have one, tell them that other companies do, and you may need to join them. :-)
