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" Researching money-saving ideas and strategies to reduce household bills can help families keep money in their wallets and bank accounts. Read on for clever ways to reduce your monthly cash outflow.   Request actual meter readings from utility companies  If you pay a gas, water or electricity bill based on estimated meter readings, contact the service provider and request switching to actual readings. Bills generated by an estimate of how much gas, water or electricity you&amp;#039;re using may be inflated. Demanding an accurate reading of your usage is a great way to make sure you&amp;#039;re not being overcharged and to save a few bucks each month.   Pay bills online  Save money on postage, and avoid late payment fees by registering for online bill pay. Registering for online bill pay also saves you money by removing the temptation of paying bills on your credit card, which quickly can add to credit card debt.   Pay household bills by the initial due date  Many bills offer two due dates. Always try to pay your household bills by the first due date to avoid late fees and incur more debt. Create reminders for yourself through your cell phone or calendar that alert you to when your payment date is approaching. This is a surefire way to meet deadlines and save money by eliminating unnecessary interest on cell phone, car insurance and other bills.   Never carry a balance on credit cards  By paying off your credit card balance each month, you wipe clean the possibility of losing money to hefty interest charges attached to any debt that remains in your account. Additionally, some credit card companies provide financial rewards or incentives to those who consistently pay off their balances.   Contact companies when you see competitive rates  If you live in an area where you can select your gas or electric provider, or you have the choice of satellite or cable TV, save money by staying abreast of competitive companies&amp;#039; offers. Take advantage of the savings possibilities available by notifying your current service providers of these offers, and use them as leverage. Doing so with your current company, especially one with whom you have a history and pay regularly, may inspire it to offer you a better rate or deal. No one wants to lose good business. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/work-money/tips/a3862/money-saving-ideas-for-household-bills-77817/>