Check out your cable provider
Cable TV providers are adding fees to cover their costs — while they say they’re holding down their prices in general, says Gunderson. These costs come from carrying certain broadcast networks such as CBS, and for regional sports channels.
“In any event, cable companies will almost always renegotiate or lower the costs of Internet service, cable packages, etc., if you call to cancel. For example, I got mine down from $170 a month to $100 by negotiating,” says Gunderson.
Examine your cable bill to see what channels you watch, what channels you don’t, and where you may be overcharged. Negotiate a package that gives you the channels you watch most. Look at the fees on your bill — for extra boxes, or for your modem. You can sometimes replace the modem you rent from the cable company with one of your own, which will pay for itself in months.
