If youre wondering how to save money, try a simple strategy: negotiation.
By using these strategies, I estimate my family has saved at least $5,000 over the past year.
Realtor Commissions
Realtor commissions are negotiable, and not just by going the for-sale-by-owner route.
The realtor commission is something that you should discuss before signing a contract.
When wesold our houselast year, our realtor volunteered a discount without us having to ask.
If yours doesnt do offer, dont be afraid to speak up and ask the question.
Thetypical realtor commissionin most markets is 6%.
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2.
Cell phone companies know youve got plenty of choices, and theyll bend over backwards to keep your business.
If you do decide to switch, it’s possible for you to probablykeep your phone number.
Electric, Gas and Propane Bills
Yes, you may even be able to negotiate your electric bill!
Many states have whats called energy choice.
This means consumers can choose another supplier for their electricity or gas.
We recently switched providers and aresaving $75-100 a month on our electric bill.
Similarly, rates for propane can vary greatly by supplier.
Spend a few minutes calling several local suppliers and you might discover a great savings.
If you cant negotiate your electric bill, be sure to look intoother easy ways to save electricity.
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4.
Medical Bills
A stay in the hospital can quickly run up many thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Some hospitals offer an immediate 10-20% off your bill if you pay upfront.
Another way to keep medical bills down is to get a second opinion thatprocedure might not even be necessary.
They may be willing tonegotiate the amount thats leftafter the insurance company pays its portion.
Stay organized and keep meticulous records of your procedures in case the hospital overcharges you.
The key here is to shop around quite a bit beforepicking a mortgage lender.
double-check to include both fees and interest rates in your comparison.
I collected five different quotes before picking a lender for our recent home purchase.
Plus, the one I chose was willing to lower the app fee to secure my business.
Make the most of your money by negotiating as much as possible, whether for one-time costs ormonthly bills.
Your Turn: Have you ever negotiated one of these bills?
She loves to encourage other busy moms with simple, practical strategies and tips.
Connect with her atEarly Bird Mom.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
