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Money Saver Report: How To Lower Your Bills

As CBS 2 HD Found Out, The Key To Savings Is Haggling

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Who isn't looking to slash their monthly bills these days? You can easily do it. All you need to know is where and how to ask for your discount.

From your cell phone and cable costs to your newspaper subscriptions and insurance premiums, CBS 2 HD found hundreds of dollars in savings were just a phone call away.

What bills are you looking to slash? The phone bill? The cable bill?

Ask and you shall receive. That's what CBS 2 HD found when we called a cable company.

CBS 2 HD: "I wanted to go over the cable bill with you to see if there were some options that I could start to remove and drive that bill down."

Cable representative: "I would actually recommend that you consider removing HBO on demand. That one channel is $4.95 a month."

And that wasn't the only suggestion. We ditched some extra channels and sent back a DVR cable box for a total savings of $31.95 a month.

Or $383 a year. Next up?

"One of the best ways to save money is to shop around," said Jeanne Salvatore of the Insurance Information Institute.

After checking on competitors' rates, increase your deductibles.

"You can save anywhere from 10 to 20 percent off the cost of your policy," Salvatore added.

Also, look into discounts for combining homeowners and car insurance. Ask to see if you qualify for more discounts. Even consider removing comprehensive and collision on an older car. It can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings.

"See how much you're paying for that coverage and what you would get back if there was a total loss," Salvatore said.

Next, CBS 2 HD tried to chop newspaper home delivery.

CBS 2 HD: "I noticed there are always ads on TV for introductory rates?"

She said no. So …

CBS 2 HD: "I guess at this time I just need to cancel my subscription and go over to the Post."

New York Times representative: "OK ma'am, just bear with me here."

The next thing CBS 2 HD knew …

New York Times rep: "At this time I can offer you 16 weeks at half price."

Putting $254 back in our pocket over the course of a year.

With companies fearing you'll jump ship, the list is endless. You can haggle over just about any bill. Try it for your cell phone, credit cards, even your landscaper might be willing to cut you a break. 

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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