Ever wondered if you’re paying too much for your credit card, your internet, your phone plan, and your electricity? The bad news is, you probably are; the good news is, there’s something you can do about it. Thanks to the Internet, it’s quick and easy to get a good grasp of what’s on the ever-changing market.
It’s important to note that price comparison isn’t just about comparing prices. It’s important to read the fine print! Otherwise, a low monthly fee doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a low bill every month. What are the conditions of a contract? Are there excess charges, late penalties, and so on? Sometimes, companies will offer low initial costs, making a profit by charging large amounts for breaking conditions. (If you’ve ever flown a low-budget airline and gone over the luggage limit, you’ll know what we mean! Sometimes, your excess luggage fee can end up costing more than your flight!) Does this sound a bit off-putting? Yes, but here’s a great motivator; you can easily save hundreds a year by getting this right. So buckle in, do a bit of research and reap the rewards.
Here are some regular costs you can compare to get the best deal for you.
- Compare Your Phone Plan.
It seems like there are dozens of phone providers out there, each offering several plans. Going through them all to find your best deal seems like a headache; especially when you don’t entirely know what providers are out there. Basically, comparing phone plans will involve looking at the monthly fee and its inclusions; you’ll also want to check what costs are involved when you go over these inclusions. How much is excess data? What countries can you phone, and how much does it cost? Look at your previous phone bills to see how you use your phone, and plan accordingly.
- Compare Electricity.
Depending on where you live in Australia, finding the cheapest electricity can save you up to $522/year! And that’s just by changing plans from the most expensive to the cheapest. But keep in mind, the cheapest price listed isn’t necessarily the best for you. Some things to think about: when do you use power, peak or off-peak? How much power do you use? What discounts are on offer, and what are you trading off?
- Compare Internet Plans.
This is usually a bit more straightforward because it’s relatively easy to understand how much data you’re using. Most plans nowadays are anytime plans, too. But you still need to keep an eye on excess data charges. Another important factor is speed; if you’re mostly just using your Internet for word processing, this isn’t a big deal. But if you’re online gaming, you don’t want to lag or drop out at that critical moment.
- Compare Insurance Providers.
There are many providers out there, both for health and car insurance. If you’ve been with your current provider while, it’s worth seeing if another provider can offer you a better deal. Is it
worth making the switch? Make sure you also compare conditions to see what is or isn’t included in the new plan offer.
So as we’ve seen, price comparison isn’t quite as easy as just looking at a table of prices; different plans can be apples and oranges. But with a bit of understanding about how you use these services, you can save for the things that matter to you.