Pink Slip Tip - Expense Reduction

Bartender, drink please! Well, that was how I was feeling 1 hour ago. Honestly, I swear, unemployment benefits never seem to give you enough money. So, tragedy hit when I found out I had to claim unemployment benefits in New York. The jury is still out on whether I can actually claim in New Jersey. Site note: New Jersey now gives you $600 a week (compared to last year's $584, what a great state!) and New York, well the lovely state that makes you pay like $15 to enter NYC is still at the dismal $405 a week for 2010. Living in New Jersey and having to claim benefits in New York when my state of residence gives over $200 more a week, well, it makes me a little pissy! LOL Okay, sorry, got sidetracked.

So, this post was not to vent about New York but to give you a quick tip in reducing your expenses. As you compile your list of monthly expenses and income into your monthly budget (frowning, I know), the possibility of breaking even maybe be rare (digging into savings is the next step). If your relying on unemployment income, well that dollar amount is fixed. The next best thing, cut expenses. First thing, evaluate what is a "variable" (basically, what can be changed versus fixed expenses that do not fluctuate). So, the Pink Slip Alert is to let you know that your cable bill can be reduced substantially and immediately, especially if the amount you pay hasn't changed in the past year(s). I recently noticed that I was paying $91 for cable since February 2008. I was on the Comcast website and noticed they had the same package as mine for $39.99. Huh?? So, I called up Comcast with an agenda:

1. GET MY CABLE BILL DOWN! (even though these promotions are usually for new customers). Ask the rep to take a look at your current package. Maybe even bring in the heavy machinery such as discussing competitors prices, your loyalty as a customer and your current job situation. Tell me that you basically can not afford your current bill and need to cancel, that will get them going on a rescue plan.

Honestly, I didn't really need all those ESPN channels, 2 channels is sufficient and the entertainment channels (channels 200+) was not necessary. Sure, I know, its hard to part with cable, but let's just say for the record my bill reduced from $91 to $59 a month. The customer service representative noticed that I was paying for additional items that are being included in current cable plans and that my package was outdated. Hmmmm. So, call up Comcast, Time Warner, Dish, Verizon or whomever your carrier is and try to get a reduction on your bill or reduce your cable package. Want versus Need my People!

Extreme Trip - If you really want to take the plunge, basic cable is calling your name. Sure, its very limited, mtv not included, bravo not included and additional espn channels doubt it. Channels like NBC, ABC and others are included, essentially the Girl Scout/Cub Scout package - survival. I tried this once for 7 months, I lived!
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