Thursday, August 16, 2018

Thrifty Thinking: Comparison Shopping

Everyone looks for ways to save money on household bills, but sometimes all the offers and options can get confusing. The internet offers a vast amount of information to compare rates on recurring monthly bills but that’s a time-consuming proposition scrolling through endless links.

For busy consumers, free online tools can be a time saving solution to search for the best deals on recurring household bills all under one site. Comparison websites such asSqueeze.com allow consumers to view cost-saving rates for cell phone, cable and internet services, and the best interest rates for home mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, credit cards, and even insurance.

Squeeze.com is a free site that allows consumers to search for the best deals on recurring household bills—all in one place. It’s a marketplace to squeeze every last penny out of a paycheck. Monthly bills pinch Americans. Now, armed with information, they can finally squeeze back.

Here are 5 ways a comparison website can help consumers manage the bottom line for household budgets:

1- Clear up the Card – What kind of credit card do you really need?  Rewards are nice, but how do they stack up to fees and lines of credit?  Are you better off with a debit or credit card?  The answer is based on your spending habits and credit score as well as how much debt you may need to consolidate. How many months you need to pay it off also factors into the equation.  Taking all this into account, all the offers you receive in the mail may not hold the answer. In fact, a balance transfer credit card may be one of many options to consider.

2- Loan it or Leave it – How much money do you really need?  Should you be considering a personal loan? Totally different than a home mortgage, a personal loan - also called a signature loan - is an unsecured loan, which means you can borrow money with no collateral, based on your credit. From consolidating debt to improving your credit, to financing a major purchase like a new washer and dryer, people choose personal loans because interest rates are usually lower than credit cards, which can save you thousands of dollars. Using a comparison website is the quickest answer to whether a loan is the best option for your family’s needs.

3- Drive to Savings –Understanding your options and searching for the best value shouldn’t “drive” you crazy. Time is tight, so locating the best value - from comprehensive coverage to emergency roadside assistance - in the least amount of time is essential. That’s why a comparative website is a driver’s best friend.

4- Going Mobile for Less –Options for plans and carriers are nothing short of mind numbing and not all options are even widely advertised.  Decide first whether it makes more sense to have an individual plan for each member of the household, or to choose a family plan where everyone’s usage is on one bill but has their own dedicated number.  And, most importantly, read all the fine print before you sign up!

5- Reliable Internet – Whether it’s running a home business, planning Facebook meet-ups or arranging carpools and play dates via email – not to mention kids researching homework projects - reliable internet is essential.  You may want to bundle a cable and internet plan together. The number of lesser-known and less expensive service providers in your area may surprise you!

The ability for busy consumers to shop different providers in one place is a game changer – it’s like online shopping, but to save money.

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