How to Save Money on Bills – EP 5

Phone, utility, and internet bills are just a few of the dreaded expenses covered on this week’s frugal episode. It doesn’t have to all be doom and gloom though, as we search the internet and weed through what’s useful and what’s not when it comes to saving money on bills. We even learned a few things about ceiling fans along the way! Get pumped.

Notable Notes

What the internet has to say
- Lauren Greutman Article
- Lauren shares 15 ways to reduce utility costs and covers everything from washer/dryer tricks to negotiating with your electric provider.
  - What Jen and Jill have to say
    - Doing chores that involve electricity at night may mean paying a lower utility rate – check with your provider
    - Rotating ceiling fan blades/switching direction of ceiling fan (i.e. pull warm air up/push cold air down, or vice versa)
    - Protecting windows from drafts in the winter – Jill’s recommended shrink film HERE
    - Switch to LED bulbs for reduced electrical costs
      - 2700 Kelvin Color Temperature is the equivalent to a soft white incandescent
      - Here’s a ‘nerding out’ article on light bulbs
- The Simple Dollar Article
- Trent shares 40 ways to save money on common monthly expenses. There are some overlap suggestions from the Greutman article, but also some great reminders about thinking differently and approaching expenses from a more frugal perspective.
  - What Jen and Jill have to say
    - Jill really did not resonate with this article and openly shares her contrary opinions to numbers 13, 32, and 36. After all, what functioning adult – alive in 2018 – has an epiphany that they no longer need their cell phone?!
    - Jen took a more level-headed approach and affirms the suggestions of using power strips/timers, and eliminating unnecessary subscriptions.
Ways we save money and what’s worth spending on
- 1. Shop around and call every few months for a better deal – this works particularly with cell phone and cable service providers
- 2. Reduce use – identify ways to cut back on TV spending, don’t use the dryer for the full cycle, etc.
- 3. Pay off debt – this IS worth spending money on! Freedom awaits!
Frugal Fail
- Jen shares her internet/phone service fail
BILL OF THE WEEK!
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