Finance: Save money by making a few phone calls

With the current economic and financial crisis going on around the world, I've been thinking of ways we can save money each month. I've been thinking, do I really need cable? A gym membership? For others of you it may be a more expensive phone or internet plan, Netflix, etc.

We have a really great price on internet, so I knew I couldn't find a better deal on that but I decided we were paying too much for cable and I was going to call and see if they could lower are payment or I was going to cancel it and just get basic tv. I called and asked for a better deal and the agent agreed to take off $10 without blinking an eye. A 3-minute phone call is saving us $10 a month. I tried for more, but she said $10 was the best she could do right now.

I really enjoy having a gym membership. I could workout at home or outside, but I think it is more convenient to go to the gym. I enjoy that time to myself and it gives my son an opportunity to socialize and get used to being away from me since he is with me the rest of the day. I went and asked for a lower price and they also took off $10 after a 5-minute conversation.

With less than 10-minutes of work I am saving $20 each month! Not bad. I encourage each of you to take a look at items that you could live with out and see if you can call an negotiate a better price. Companies are struggling now too and they would rather keep you as a customer than lose you all together, so they are willing to negotiate.

Stay tuned for more money saving tips in May.