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| I'm off to spend three days in the most perfect company xxxxx Love you DB! |
Hello Dear Reader,
I was sent the following guest post, which I happily accepted, because it really got me thinking. I look around for the best deal on everything from cars to body lotion, but I really haven't given much thought to my internet supplier. We are, to put it bluntly, totally and absolutely stuffed here in deepest darkest Cornwall. We don't have superfast where I live so comparing upload and download speeds and bandwidth is an entirely academic exercise. However, you don't have my excuses and really ought to be getting a better deal!
So, take the really good advice below and get yourself the best deal possible. If you can, let me know how you got on, how much money you saved. There will be a quiz at the end so make sure you're reading all the way through.
Frugal Tips on Finding Cheap Broadband Deals
We are relying more and more on the internet for work and leisure. However, the cost of having internet connection can be pricey. Are you paying too much for your internet service? Here’re some tips on how to find cheap broadband deals.
Bundle your broadband, phone and TV services
The best way to save money on your broadband is to get your broadband, phone and TV services from one internet service provider. First, find out what you’re using the internet for, how much phone time you use and what type of TV programmes you like to watch. Then, search for a bundle that costs less than buying the services separately. Another advantage of a bundle is that you've only one bill to pay.
Go basic and pay your line rental upfront
Most broadband packages require a landline. Choose a no-frill landline if you’re unlikely to use features such as caller ID or call waiting. The amount you pay to rent a landline can be more expensive than the broadband. Some internet service providers offer discounts if you pay the annual amount of your line rental in advance. Therefore, the best way to save money is to pay your line rental upfront rather than in monthly instalment.
Choose a cost effective broadband deal
Make sure you choose a broadband deal that fits your needs and budget. Internet speed and download allowance are two important things to take into consideration to avoid paying for access you don’t need or paying extra charges. Broadband speed is a measure of the length of time it takes to transfer data from the internet to your computer. Broadband packages with faster connections are more expensive than basic packages. If you download large files, stream movies from Netflix and play games online, fast download speeds is preferred.
Download allowance is the amount of data you are allowed per month. The price you pay varies according to the download allowance. An unlimited package is more expensive than a limited one. If you’re a light user, a limited package will probably be fine for you. On the other hand, if you’re a heavy user with a limited package, it won’t be long before your allowance is used up. If you go over the limit, you have to pay penalty charges.
Hidden costs
Ask your internet service provider for a full cost breakdown. Find out whether there are any hidden costs such as installation fees and postage fees for the router. Make sure you read the small prints before you sign the contract.
After reading that, I discovered that I'm a light user and that I only need a limited package. We don't 'stream movies' or 'download' anything at all really. What type of user are you? If you have teenagers in the house, or you are a lot more techno-savvy than I am, then a really good upgraded package where the entire house can be online at the same time will be really useful.
Just to let you know, the dog sitter AKA my mum, is here and we'll be off to North Yorkshire at six in the morning. If you are in the slightest bit interested, you can follow me on twitter queen_frugal and catch my updates #froogsontour. I might not get the chance to blog over the next few days as I will be staying on the Yorkshire Moors but I will be uploading photos on twitter.
Until then,
All my love,
Froogs xxxxx