Lower your bills
Fourteen bills most households pay, and how to lower each one. Each page lists what to check on your current bill, what to ask your provider and when switching is worth it.
All bills
Where to start
Start with the bills that renew automatically and are easy to compare: car insurance, home internet, cell phone plans and subscriptions. A single phone call or a switch can lower them for a year or more.
A one-hour bill check
- Gather your last statement for each bill.
- Write down the monthly cost and when any promotion ends.
- Get two competing quotes for the same coverage or speed.
- Call your current provider, tell them the best quote and ask what they can do.
- Switch if they cannot match it, and cancel the old service in writing.
Repeat once a year, a month before your insurance or contract renews.
Bills you can lower without switching
Electricity and heating costs drop with a programmable thermostat and sealing drafts. Bank fees can often be waived by setting up direct deposit. Credit card interest falls if you ask for a lower rate or move the balance, but read the transfer fee first.
Use the bill calculator to see what each change saves in a year.
Frequently asked questions
Which bill is easiest to lower?
Subscriptions and streaming: cancel what you have not used in the last month.
How often should I shop around?
Once a year for insurance, internet and phone plans, ideally a month before renewal.