day 8 - How to cut 5% of your bills in 5 days.

One might think they cannot squeeze another nickel out of their budget, but I am here to help. We are all born with the same amount of money in our pockets and we will all leave with the same amount. However, during the time we are here on Earth, we are responsible for being good stewards of our money. If your consider money to be a blessing, how can you expect God to bless you with more when you do not manage well what you already have. Below are a ton of helpful hints that will free up money. All it takes is a little "sweat equity" and you will find that right under your nose is a lot of savings. Before I get started, I want to post a challenge. Whoever identifies and reports back the largest savings, will win a $10 Starbucks card. Here we go:

• Credit Cards: Call them and say the following words (even if you do not mean it). "Please connect me with the payoff department as I would like to make a payment in full!" Don't say anything else and listen to what happens next. They will lower your interest rate just to get you not to pay it off.
• Cable: Call them and say the following words: "I like my cable service but the fees are too much for my budget. What package can I move to that will lower my bill by $25/month? When it is all done, you will likely have the same service for $25 less.
• Mortgage: The new HARP 2.0 is a easy way to lower your mortgage rate to todays rate without the refinance fees. You can save hundreds of dollars per month. Call your bank and ask them how to apply for the new HARP program. You can even have negative equity and get a rate down in the 4% range.
• Look at your bank statement for any junk fees and call the bank and ask them to reverse it
• Review your bank statement for any long forgotten "recurring monthly bills"
• Natural Gas Bill. If you are not in a fixed rate 12 month plan, do it tomorrow. Rates are .60/therm and you could still be paying twice that.
• Car note: Call your local credit union/bank and ask if they can offer a better rate. Chances are you can get a better rate particularly at a credit union.
• Program your thermostats, replace some bulbs with 40W bulbs, make sure there is no drafty spots in your house, use a small ceramic heater instead of the central heat if you can

The great news about all these is that when you finish, you can do it all over again in a few months. I have personally cut hundreds per month from my bills by ASKING. Ask for a better rate, better deal, or an improved option. Some people think this is being stingy. I think you are honoring God by making your money go farther. What happens to people who are good with their blessings....They get more!

I cannot wait to hear your thoughts. If I get 10 comments, I will post another round of cost saving ideas.