Random Thoughts
I’ve written a post about how to save money on your cable bill but I feel that I need to mention this. My parents have had the same cable company for about 4 years. They had the great first year deal but after it expired they never called to negotiate a lower rate.
A couple weeks ago I was at their house and we got on the subject and my Dad mentioned that I should call and get them the discount. I decided that wasn’t a bad idea so I went ahead and called (and acted as if I were my Dad). All I had to do was say that I knew someone getting a better deal and I was looking for the best deal they could offer me.
After being on hold for about 5 minutes the representative came back and said she could save my parents $50 a month for a year and then after that their bill would still be $20 cheaper a month than what they were paying now. It is crazy to me how cable companies refuse to give their customers decent rates. If the main rate without discount goes down you should expand that to all of your customers. Instead they kept my parents at the $20 higher rate.
Long story short, by calling the cable company for 15 minutes I saved my parents $500 in the first twelve months and $240 a year every year after that! Not bad for 15 minutes “work”.
Round Up
Work Save Live asks Why Are Credit Cards Bad? I personally don’t think credit cards are bad. I think if you use them correctly they are a great tool to make you money and make your life more convenient. You have to know if you can handle them or not though. If you can’t, don’t use them.
Funancials writes This Just In: Stocks Will Rise and the World Won’t End. I thought this post was hilarious! If you haven’t read it you need to check it out. It gives me a sense of hope for the economic future despite graduating into this mess a few years ago.
Miranda at Good Financial Cents writes How To Make Sense of Your Credit Card Number. I always figured that the numbers meant something but never investigated what the meaning was. This article tells you what each number stands for and how they are used.
Watson Inc asks Why Do We Worry About Money? Different people are definitely in different situations but this article analyzes many psychological reasons why people worry.
Last but not least, Len Penzo writes No, I’m NOT Rich. But I Am Financially Free. Here’s How I Got There. I personally hope I can write a similar post in the future but many years before I retire. It’d be nice to be in a similar position and not have to worry about job security or self employment income. It’ll be a while but I plan on getting there. Congrats on making it Len!
Carnivals
Below are all of the carnivals that I was put in this week that I could find or got ping backs on. If you hosted a carnival that I was included in this week and I missed it please let me know and I’ll add it below!
Carnival of Money Pros and Festival of Frugality included my post How to Write a Check.
Yakezie Carnival and Yakezie Lifestyle Carnival included my post Our Debt Pay Down Strategy.
Lifestyle Carnival included my post Should I Get a Smartphone Update.
Carnival of Personal Finance included my post Credit Score Deconstructed: The Components of Your Credit Score.
Enjoy your weekend!
So are there any good original movies I should be checking out? What have you seen lately?
An accountant by day and blogger by night, Lance is the owner of this site. 
I’ve read your post on how to save money on your cable bill, and I’ve read meany other PF blogs telling me to cancel my cable bill, well today’s the day I step up and call dish network and tell them my neighbor has direct TV and they get a lower price than I do and ask for a discount. Wish me luck! Just started blogging myself, if you have a chance come by, any advice and encouragement is appreciated!
Good luck! It is a bit harder with satellite companies especially if you are under contract. Can’t hurt to ask though!
No luck, they said they couldn’t do anything, supervisor said same thing. My contract is up in 2 months, that’s when I think I can get something accomplished.
Financial Penguin recently posted..My Goals for the Rest of 2012
I agree! I’d call the day your contract expires and I bet you either get a deal or if the other company is offering a better deal you can actually switch.
Cable companies are almost a monopoly! There is insufficient competition to bring down prices. The airline industry is becoming that way too.
krantcents recently posted..Friday Night Links: Fraud Edition
Flights are expensive but I can understand that because there are a lot of costs involved. Cable companies? not so much other than the content fees I guess.
Why is it harder to get a discount with satellite companies?
Marie at Family Money Values recently posted..How to Live Life Well and Avoid Deathbed Regrets
They normally have you in a contract and if you’re in a contract they have no incentive to lower your price. The other reason is if you have no other options for cable TV and they know that then why would they give you a discount if they are your only option.
I find it amazing how the cable company only offers these savings when they are put into a reactive position. You’d think they would be a little more pro-active to save headaches and keep their customers happy.
You would think, but cable companies aren’t normal. Then again they probably make more money this way which is their goal.
I love playing companies against each other. This is a buyer’s market for services like cable, credit cards, etc. If they want my business, they’re gonna have to fight for it
Harry @ PF Pro recently posted..Asset Allocation Guide: Why to Invest in International Index Funds
I agree! I actually have two or three cable providers to choose from so I normally get halfway decent deals.
I’ve been able to save over $300 per month in cable bill for my hotel by consolidating phone and cable. It took few days worth of work to negotiate the deal, but I am glad to spend that time for an annual savings in excess of $3600.
I am also a fan of Len Penzo’s writing, so I will check his post. Thanks for sharing.
shilpan recently posted..Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom
Len Penzo is definitely a great blog. I love his stuff.
That cable bill REALLY smarts. Your parents can save $50 per month for the next year with just a 5 minute call… OUCH, they were being overcharged!!! I had a similar experience. I heard someone else was paying less, so I negotiated a lower rate for our house. It’s ridiculous.
Roshawn @ Watson Inc recently posted..Why Do We Worry About Money?
I’ve been telling them to call but they never would so I finally did it for them.
Haven’t been watching many movies, primarily have been watching tv shows (Mad Men and Parks and Rec in particular).
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..Quick Hits and Weekend Reading
TV shows are always good too!
Not bad at all on that cable bill! I love how negotiable that price is once you bring up a competitor. Nice work doing that for your parents.
I can tell you NOT to rent Silent House or The Whaley House. I really LOVE scary movies, but both of these are terrible. Stupid Redbox. I should have trusted my instincts and just rented Piranha 3DD. At least I would have known exactly what I was getting!
My Money Design recently posted..Goal Setting When You Realize That All You Have Is Now
I thought it was a pretty good deal too! My parents were very happy.
It’s quite amazing how often “loyal” customers get taken advantage of the longer they stay with a company. I recently had a client that was paying $3,000/year for her car insurance. After forcing her, reluctantly, to shop rates she now only pays $800/year. Insane.
Thanks for the mention!
Jason recently posted..Tragedy Strikes Close to Home: Why You Need to Have Life Insurance
That’s sad but I’m glad you got her to change!
Wow! My brother just did the same thing! I agree with Jason: why companies gouge their customers until they call is beyond me.
AverageJoe recently posted..So You Want to Manage Your Own Money?
They do it because they make more money and don’t really lose customers because of it (or at least enough to offset the extra money).