10 Phone Calls That Can Save You Hundreds of Dollars

You're probably used to looking at your latest credit card statement, seeing the overdue interest charges, eating it and just paying it. But turns out, you can call and try to get the charges waived. The worst that can happen is that they refuse BUT, more often than not, if you address the issue politely, sternly, and immediately, any charge — be it interest, service, annual, mistaken — can be waived. That's right, being nice about it can save you money. And if the first call doesn't work, try again. The next person to answer your call might be feeling generous.

Here are some other ways to reduce credit card debt. We'll just leave this right here.

If you can't pay your balance in full every month, switch to a low-rate card. All it takes is a simple phone call to your bank and they can easily drop it to a no-frills card with a significantly lower interest rate that has no annual fee. The interest payments you'll be saving on alone is worth the call.

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You almost never want to speak to a CSR from your phone provider but if it means saving you money, you have to make that call. There might be new discounts or specials that apply to you, or you might be paying for services that don't make sense. Do you really need unlimited data when you're barely using 4 GB? That phone insurance is a waste because they'll just talk you into a new plan that comes with a phone for $0 anyway.

Based on how much we use and increasingly require, Internet usage is one thing to keep track of. Hold your provider accountable by calling and seeing if you can talk them to lower your rate. If there are ongoing promotions for existing customers, or even promos for new ones, inquiring about them might earn you a credit off your monthly bill for a limited time. Or perhaps you'll qualify for an additional service credit towards your bill if you upgrade. The monthly payments might not decrease a tonne, but you might see the reward in future bills.

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These days, cable companies offer a lot more than straight TV, when it comes to your viewing options. Give yours a call and verify what is included in your monthly package (streaming content, etc.). Find out if you are paying the latest rates for what you are getting, or if there are any new products offered by the service provider. If you are aware of better competitor rates, speak up and see if they are willing to match it.

If you haven't refinanced your mortgage, it might be time to look into seeing if you qualify. If you're worried about potential awkwardness, it doesn't even have to be with the bank or lending company currently servicing your loan. Presumably, you've already paid off a chunk of the loan; by refinancing a lesser amount at a potentially lower interest rate, you could knock down your monthly payments significantly.

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You probably pay a lot every month for homeowners, life and auto insurance. But what your payments started at might no longer apply. You may have given up smoking since, or lost a bunch of weight and gotten your blood pressure back to normal. Perhaps it's been years — even decades — since you last got a speeding ticket or were involved in an accident. Maybe you've installed a new home security system or smartened up your house. Call your auto insurance provider; you might qualify for a good driver discount, or the company that provides your homeowners and/or life insurance might lower the amount you're currently paying since you've gotten both into better shape.

Call someone to visit your home and see if your residence would qualify for this upgrade. Once you've confirmed the logistics, be forewarned the up-front costs might be as high as $30,000. However, if you have money saved, have a line of credit, or want to finance the project, it's worth exploring. In the long-term, solar panels can increase a home's value, save you hundreds a year (that hydro bill will never be the same) and you're protected from the rising cost of electricity. On the feel-good side, you'll also reduce your carbon footprint; always a plus.

Whether you're a long-time member or recently signed up, you'll want to keep tabs on how much the facility is charging its newest members. A club may lower prices to attract newbies but not offer the reduced rate to existing members. If that's the case, call and ask the manager if you can also get that going rate. It might not be an immediately significant amount but it can add up.

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This one's a no-brainer. By contacting your phone provider and requesting to get rid of your landline, you'll be saving as little as $10 a month to as much as $50, depending on your plan. And the customer service rep on the other end likely won't argue since you're probably one of the last people on the planet to make your cellphone the only number where you can be reached.

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