I believe we can all agree that the Internet is not a luxury anymore; it’s a necessity. And surviving without an internet connection in this digitally connected world is nearly impossible. That being said, as the prices of all necessities have hiked in recent times, the internet has also become more expensive.
While I cannot say the same for other necessities, you can save money on the internet, for sure. In this article, I am going to share a few easy tips to lower your internet bills. So, let’s start:
- Carefully Examine Your Internet Bills:
When was the last time you carefully read the fine print of your internet bill? If you haven’t read it in a while, I suggest you analyze your most recent bill today. When checking out the bill, keep an eye on the following factors:
- Are you getting the internet speeds you’re paying for?
- Are there additional services added to your bill that you didn’t opt for?
- Are there any hidden fees included in your bills?
These factors let you know what you are paying for. Mostly you don’t get the internet speeds as advertised, and that’s normal. But if there’s a significant drop from the advertised speed to what you are getting, then contact your ISP’s customer support and ask for an explanation. Simply because what’s the point of paying for a handsome plan if you won’t get the mentioned speeds?
Also, some ISPs may add additional services to your plan without your consent. While you may not need those services, ISPs still charge for those perks anyway. So, by reading the fine print, you can look out for such services and opt out of them.
- Determine How Much Internet Speeds You Need:
Yes, we all want the fastest internet speeds, but do we really need them? Those high-tiered internet plans usually cost us more. Most people may not even need those extra MBs of internet speed as their routine online activities could be done on a low-speed internet plan.
I suggest analyzing your internet speeds and determining if you really need them. If your online activities do not include 4K streaming, heavy online gaming, or remote working, then I believe a standard internet plan should be enough to cater to your online needs.
- Switch to a Quality Yet Cheaper ISP:
If your current ISP is charging more for your current plan with frequent internet outages, data caps, and does not offer reliable customer support, then I believe you should switch to a different ISP.
Numerous quality ISPs are available that offer cheaper plans with quality services. As a Spectrum Internet user, my internet plan almost costs equal to an average steak in a good restaurant. Cherry on top is their 24/7 Spectrum customer service that helped me sign up for a suitable internet plan for all my home devices!
- Bundle Your Internet with Other Services:
Besides the internet, if you’re using cable TV or phone services, then I believe it’s a better idea to bundle them instead of paying for them separately. Most ISPs prioritize bundle users and offer discounts and promotions on their bundle deals.
Also, internet bundle deals minimize your hassle of connecting to different customer supports and you get a single bill for bundled utilities. Plus, most ISPs do not impose data caps and offer better internet speeds in bundled deals.
- Use Your Equipment:
Do you use ISP-provided equipment, like a router and modem? If yes, how much are you paying for its rent? Or is it for free? Generally, most ISPs offer free internet equipment to their high-end plan users. And usually charge a monthly rent to standard and basic plan users.
If you’re paying for the internet equipment, I suggest getting third-party equipment. It’s a one-time investment and does not cost as much as paying a few dollars every month to your ISP.
Bonus Section: Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs and Discounts:
If you have been with your ISP for a while now, you may qualify for loyalty programs or discounts.
Also, if you’re a student, senior, or retired military personnel, your ISP may have special internet plans for you. So, contact your ISP to know if you qualify for any discounted programs to lower your monthly internet bill.