As technology becomes a bigger part of our lives the costs for keeping up are growing.
We found 4 tips to lower your cable, internet and phone costs from Yahoo! Homes.
1. Do your research, shop around. Try talking to friends and family to see how much they're paying for their digital services.You'll also want to keep in mind that prices vary by location, so speaking to someone who lives in your zip code is probably a smart idea.
2. Don't overbuy. When you're customizing your bundle, don't just accept all the premium channels they give you. Ask yourself if they are channels you'll actually watch, and if they're not, ask your provider if getting rid of some channels could lower your bill. The same rule applies for your Internet service: Don't get what you don't need. If you only plan to use the Internet to check email chances are you don't need top-notch speed.
3. Negotiate. Negotiating for a good deal is king when it comes to bundling your digital services. Consider these stats from the Consumer Reports National Research Center: About 40% of bargainers reporting savings of up to $50 a month. And about 30% said they got free premium channels. If these potential saving opportunities appeal to you, then it's time to start honing your bargaining skills.
4. Avoid digital commitment, if possible. Avoiding commitment is especially important advice to keep in mind as promotional savings for a bundle may end after a certain amount of time, and a more attractive and cheap offer may become available. If so, you probably wouldn't want to be tied down to a contract, and worse pay a hefty fee to break it.