Trimming Tech Bills

By Jeremy Caplan

Americans spend as much as $200 to $300 a month staying connected with home and mobile phones, Internet access, TiVo and premium TV. Not only are we laying out an additional 20% more each month than we did a decade ago, but as new features come on board--ringtones, downloadable movies and higher-speed Web access--the costs are sure to go higher still. But there are lots of ways to get the same services for less. For starters ...

LOOK FOR BUNDLING

Many telecoms will charge you less for your communication services if you sign up for more than one from them. Buy cable TV and high-speed Internet access together with a digital phone line, for instance, and you may end up paying 20% less than you would have if you had purchased each from a separate provider. As Verizon and other carriers start to offer television over phone lines, expect more price competition.

GET THE LATEST DEAL

Special deals and seasonal sales change constantly, but many providers will honor promotions after they have expired. Even when companies won't budge on price, some will throw in bonus features, such as extra channels or prime-time minutes--if, for example, you agree to extend your contract a few more months. Sites like lowermybills.com and epinions.com keep you abreast of the latest deals and point you to the most flexible service providers.

INFORMATION CAN BE FREE

If you don't watch a lot of cable TV, why not just go for old-fashioned free broadcast TV? A good set-top antenna can boost your reception. And to cut your telephone costs down to zero, use online tools such as Google Talk or Skype, which let you place free calls from your computer (if whomever you are calling has the proper software). As for Web access, check for free wi-fi in your neighborhood before you pay a lot to go online.

SHOP FOR A NEW PROVIDER

Vonage, AT&T CallVantage and other digital phone services offer home calling more inexpensively than traditional providers. Upstart Net-access companies have also cut the cost of getting wired. Sites like abtolls.com and thelist.com can help identify the most competitive offerings.