Saving Money

I am always looking for EASY ways to save money. I love to get a deal that is useful. And I love when I can cut bills down in easy ways. I don't want to spend hours just to save a few dollars, but I will spend some time on the phone talking to companies to save money.

Last week I had the option to earn money easily and I also had the chance to save money on a bill. We have been chosen to be a Nielsen family. This means I need to write down everything we watch on television for the next week, which is tedious. But as a thank you they sent me $30. Not a gift card or a coupon but $30 in cash. I am willing to spend a few minutes each day writing down what we watch for $30.

Then last week I looked at my electric bill. I hate my electric bill and I am always fighting with it. I want the bill to be as low as possible and I struggle with it. I turn lights off all of the time. I wait until I am wearing two sweaters, fleece socks and slippers before I turn on the heat. I line dry my diapers and towels when I can. I wash clothes in cold water. I don't use the a/c unless I can't sit still without sweating in the summer. I try hard to do what I can, but the bill doesn't go as low as I would like. Then last week I noticed the rates my local electric company was offering are lower than what I am paying. I switched companies a couple of years ago to get a lower rate (in my area I can choose who provides the electricity, I just pay the local company to transfer it to me). It cut my bill at the time. But I looked and the rates have lowered with the local company. I called my local company and was told I could switch to them at any time, but they don't know what the rates will be after June 30. They also pointed out I may pay a fee for leaving the other company.

I ahte paying fees so I called my company and asked. They said I was not under contract and could leave at any time. I said I was considering switching to get a lower rate. Turns out I can get the lower rate with the company I am currently paying PLUS they will keep that rate until December. I asked why I hadn't heard about the lower rate and was told they don't notify their customers when rates drop but I can call every few months and ask. A few minutes on the phone is going to save me about $15 a month on average. I am VERY happy! I learned it is worth calling companies to see if there is a lower rate to pay. I will keep this in mind in the future.

I am looking into swagbucks as another way to save money and earn free things. I have read about it a few places but I have not jumped in yet. Do any of you use swagbucks? Is it worth my time? I have also thought about surveys, but them often ask for more information that I am comfortable providing. I don't think swagbucks does this, but I am not sure.