miss_thenorth
Frugal Homesteader
reassess all of our bills, and look for cheaper everything. Usually this time of year, because, it seems the last three houses anyways, our move in date was September. So, we call around insurance companies, see if we can get cheaper or better rates. Evaluate our usage for hydro and gas, make changes, propose changes if and as needed. Call around to providers to see if they can give a better deal.
There are two ways we are saving money this year --one-is our phone bill. We threatened Bell, that we were gonna go with another company for our home phone, long distance, internet and cell phone. It wasn't until we said we were leaving that they came at us with a great offer. So, we went from over $120, to ~$60/mo. Plus they are giving us features like call display etc, that we did not want to pay for before. the catch is we have a one year contract. No biggie--we will renegotiate next year when the contract is up.
The other way is--we are breaking our mortgage and getting a new one. There will be a penalty involved, but it will be worth it in the long run. We are going from 5.99% to prime - which is 2.25%.
As far as insurance goes, we are getting pretty much the best rate out there, but this is not always true. We have found that every year, we must do this to stay on top, so I just wanted ot share, incase it gives any one else the idea to do this too.
There are two ways we are saving money this year --one-is our phone bill. We threatened Bell, that we were gonna go with another company for our home phone, long distance, internet and cell phone. It wasn't until we said we were leaving that they came at us with a great offer. So, we went from over $120, to ~$60/mo. Plus they are giving us features like call display etc, that we did not want to pay for before. the catch is we have a one year contract. No biggie--we will renegotiate next year when the contract is up.
The other way is--we are breaking our mortgage and getting a new one. There will be a penalty involved, but it will be worth it in the long run. We are going from 5.99% to prime - which is 2.25%.
As far as insurance goes, we are getting pretty much the best rate out there, but this is not always true. We have found that every year, we must do this to stay on top, so I just wanted ot share, incase it gives any one else the idea to do this too.