Brandon Kelley
We’ll show you where to find a free phone, $10 Internet, and how to lower your utilities so you can take at least some of the load off your back.
Have you done everything in your power to lessen pandemic’s negative impact on your family? You probably have by doing things like:
- Looking for a new job.
- Trying to find a second job.
- Working a side gig.
- Selling some of your stuff.
- Cutting costs from your budget.
- Applying for government assistance.
STOP!
Do you need a financial reset? If you owe more than $10,000 here is a debt relief resource available to help you today.
To help you in your quest to cut costs, here are some tips to lower some of your monthly bills that you can try today:
1. Get a free phone and pay less per month.
How much of your hard-earned money is going towards your cell phone and landline bills? The answer is that it’s probably more money than you’d like.
To pay less for your phone bills, try the Lifeline program from the FCC. Not only can it lower those monthly costs, but it can also give you a free phone if you qualify.
2. Don’t pay more than $10 for Internet.
What do you use the Internet for nowadays? Before COVID-19, you probably used it for entertainment purposes and to stay in touch with loved ones. Now, you may have to use the Internet to:
- Work from home.
- Connect your kids to their virtual classes.
- Attend telemedicine appointments.
- Shop online so you can stay safe.
- And so on.
The Internet is a must in this pandemic world, and since you can’t get rid of that cost altogether, you should at least try to pay less via one of the following: EveryoneOn, Comcast Internet Essentials, Access from AT&T, Verizon Lifeline, and Mediacom Connect 2 Compete.
What do all of those Internet services have in common? They offer extremely affordable connections that are as low as $9.95 per month. Even better, many of those services won’t charge you installation or equipment fees, and they don’t require credit checks or contracts.
3. Get government assistance with your electricity bill.
Whether it’s the chilly winter or the upcoming scorching summer, your cooling or heating costs will contribute to a higher electricity bill. If that bill gets too high, you could break your budget and have to scramble for extra cash to pay all of your bills.
To lower your electricity bill, apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). It can help with your heating and cooling costs that make up a huge portion of your bill.
4. Try to negotiate a lower bill.
Whether it’s your phone, Internet, electric bill, or something else, almost everything can be negotiated to a lower price during the pandemic. How can you find out? By contacting your provider and telling them the issues you’re having with paying your bills.
Even if you don’t get a lower monthly payment, you should at least be given options to make your bills more manageable until we get back to the new normal. This can include payment plans, delayed payments, one-time discounts, and more.
5. Call 211.
If you’re finding your finances to be so frustrating that you don’t know what to do, call 211 now. They can help you find assistance with food, housing, paying your bills, and more.
Mark Luigi Dacumos
Brandon Kelley