If you watch TV, use broadband and own a landline, you’re often better off bundling these services together with a single provider for a cheaper rate.
Whether you’re paying separately and should consider bundling to save some cash, or switch provider because you’re overpaying - you could save anything from £350 to £600 a year.
Big tip
Tight budget? Ditch the TV package, switch to a cheap broadband and phone bundle. A Freeview box that allows you to record and pause your favourite programs will cost peanuts compared to a full on Sky subscription.
What should you do with your extra money? Now that you’ve saved a few quid, we’ve a few ideas that will get you saving. Try them out here.
How long it’ll take: 20 minutes
Equipment needed:
- Phone, so you can call up your provider to haggle
- Pen and paper, so you can work out how much you’re paying
- Internet access, so you can research deals
1. Find out what you’re getting right now
Get your paper bills out or check online to see how much you’re actually paying out every month. Find out what services (including home phone, tv package etc) you are getting and think about what you’re using.
Without having a starting point, where you know where you are, it’s hard to cut things out or negotiate a lower price.
2. Use comparison sites
Get a comparison website to do the hard work, so you don’t have to.
There are lots to choose from (which can be a bit daunting), but we have a guide that will tell you all you need to know when it comes to making your next telecoms-based steps.
Put your postcode into the website, play around with the options and check the costs that come out.
3. Haggle
The easiest thing you can do is to just call up and ask your provider if they can move you onto a better deal, or get a discount.
It doesn’t have to be hard either - for example, mention if you don’t use the landline because you have a mobile and see if they can knock some money off your monthly bill.
MoneySavingExpert.con has a great guide on how to haggle, so you can do it like a pro.
Use what you have - With broadband bundles, the mobile deal will usually give you minutes, texts and data – but no handset.
With these Sim-only options you’ll need to use an old handset, or go out and buy a new one yourself, rather than being handed a handset as part of your monthly contract.
Make sure you check out a few providers - When you’ve worked out the combination of TV, broadband, landline and mobile services, check out the cost from different providers.
You may be tempted by cheap introductory offers. Don’t be blinded, and see what the bill bounces back to when they’re over.
Then compare the cost to your current bills from separate suppliers. Big savings? Get set to switch.
Try and bag a freebie - Some companies charge for connection, installation, set-top boxes, routers and the like, but some don’t. This is a really competitive market.
Bargain with providers to see if you can actually get this stuff for free, but make sure you tot up the total price of your package to make sure that freebie doesn’t make you think you have a good deal, when it isn’t.
Only pay for what you need - There’s no point in paying for a massive bundle when you only watch standard TV for example.
The same goes for your broadband and mobile too! Take note of what you use (you can call up and ask if you’re not sure), and pay less if you use less.
Don’t get blinded by the offers - Telecoms companies are so keen for your business, they’re willing to dangle shopping vouchers, tablets and even TVs as temptations to switch. Grab them if it’s a good deal – but don’t get blinded by the offers, leaving yourself with an expensive contract long after the vouchers are spent.
Once you’ve found the best deal that meets your needs. You could go one step further and check out if a cash back site can help reduce your costs further.
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
