Small Changes Like a Lower Cable Bill Can Help Relieve Debt for Chicago Residents
When you pay a lot of money each month for a service, you expect to get something back in return, right?
Yet millions of Americans are blowing hundreds of dollars a year on stuff we don't use enough to get our money's worth - like cable service, say Chicago bankruptcy attorneys.
Maybe you watch TV, but do you really watch all 300 channels (and if so, how do you find time to do anything else)? Realistically, you probably keep returning to the same few to watch your favorite shows. Maybe it's time to ask yourself: is it really worth a bill that, for many folks, totals more than $100 a month? Think of what you could do with an extra $1,000-plus a year.
The good news is you may be able to lower your bill without forgoing your favorite shows.
What many customers fail to realize is that a lower bill can be as easy as calling your cable company. As a businesses, a cable company wants your money - but they also want to retain you as a customer. If you do nothing, they'll charge you the maximum possible. If you call up your company and tell them you're thinking of downgrading or canceling - or mention a competing cable or satellite company with a lower rate - they might customize your plan to something more affordable. Many cable services offer discounted rates for the first few months to entice new customers, so you know they have some wiggle room.
If they won't budge - or if it's not enough to make a difference - maybe it's time to ask yourself if the benefit you're receiving is worth the cost. If you mainly watch TV shows, you can get many seasons on Netflix for under $10 a month - plus the capability to stream many shows on your computer. Sure, you'll have to wait until the season is released - but you'll pay one-tenth the price. If you just can't wait, you might be able to find your shows on Hulu.com, the site that allows you to watch some TV shows and movies - absolutely free.
Cutting back doesn't always mean cutting out - it just means shopping around until you find a debt repayment plan that you can afford. Of course, if you've got so much debt that you can't afford much of anything anymore, it's time to start shopping for a debt relief plan. Find out for free if bankruptcy can make your debt payments more manageable so you can afford the bills - and little indulgences like your favorite TV shows - when you try a complimentary personal debt analysis with a Chicago bankruptcy lawyer.