5 Monthly Bills You Can Easily Negotiate Down

Money’s tight, right? And those too-high bills can feel like a punch to the gut.

But your expenses and cash outflows may be higher than they need to be. In fact, you may be able to trim them by hundreds of dollars just by speaking up.

Read these tips for help negotiating some of your most important bills.

1. Phones

Cellphones are a lifeline, but plans can be expensive, especially with unlimited data and several lines on an account.

Here’s what to do:

• Analyze your plan and monthly usage. Trim costs by reducing or eliminating data or services you don’t use.
• Assess competitors’ rates to help you in negotiating.
• Call your carrier. Ask for a rate reduction, pointing out how long you’ve been a customer and saying you’d rather not have to leave.
• Ask if any promotions or limited-time special rates are available.
• Be willing to leave your current carrier if you don’t get the satisfaction you think you deserve.

Comparison shop among cellphone plans in the Money Talks News Solutions Center.

2. Cable

With consumers able to drop cable in favor of streaming services like Philo, Hulu, Sling, Amazon Prime and Vudu, cable providers are eager to retain customers.

A few tips:

1. Identify other cable companies with lower prices to give yourself leverage in bargaining.
2. If you successfully negotiate a better rate, watch monthly statements to make sure the cable provider does make the reduction.
3. Look into using a service such as Trim or Billcutterz that negotiates for a better deal on internet, phone, cable and other monthly bills — lowering them for the customer in return for a cut of the savings.
4. Think about getting rid of your cable service.

3. Credit cards

If you have a high interest rate on your credit card, monthly minimum payments won’t go far toward reducing the overall balance.

However, credit card companies may work with you to lower minimum payments, interest rate and even the total balance owed.

Get started by reviewing all of your bills. Decide what monthly payment you can realistically commit to. Make a monthly budget to find that number.

Depending on the severity of the debt, you may need a trustworthy credit counselor to help. These folks give advice, identify options and help you protect your credit. Two nonprofits — the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and Consumer Credit Counseling Services — offer consumer-first services.

And you’ll find help with debt, including credit card debt, in the Money Talks News Solutions Center.

4. Auto insurance

Watch any big-time sporting event on TV, and you’ll quickly realize that many companies are vying for your car insurance dollars. This competition gives you bargaining power.

Here’s how to use that bargaining power to lower your car insurance costs:

1. Begin the quest to lower insurance costs by checking out Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson’s quick-read “How to Get the Best Possible Deal on Car Insurance.”
2. Learn what level of coverage is required where you live, including state coverage requirements for bodily injury and property damage.
3. If your premiums equal 10% or more of the vehicle’s value, paying for comprehensive and collision coverage may not be worth it. Consider dropping those aspects of your coverage.
4. Shop around by getting quotes from multiple insurers. You can do this yourself, but you no longer need to. Third-party services like The Zebra and Gabi do it for you — and can save you a bundle.
5. Consider paying for car insurance by the mile, meaning based on how much you drive. This is possible through companies like Metromile.
6. After you select an insurer, continue comparison shopping for lower premiums at least every other year.

5. Medical bills

Even if you have health insurance, your medical bills may be too big. If so:

• Learn how to negotiate medical bills. Stacy offers advice in “2-Minute Money Manager: How Do I Get Help With Medical Debt?“
• If you have a high-deductible medical plan and must pay the fee out-of-pocket, explain this to the creditor.
• Ask for a drastic reduction in your unpaid balance or for a 0% interest repayment plan.
• Make an offer, such as, “Suppose I give you half the amount I owe, but pay it all today?”
• Make sure you’ve been charged a fair rate. Use the Healthcare Bluebook to compare medical costs in your area.

Have you had success lowering your bills through negotiation? Share your stories and tips by making a comment below or on our Facebook page.