Cut Your Internet Bill: Practical Ways to Pay Less Each Month

Most consumers don’t realize that some of their bills can be negotiated. If you’re unhappy with how much you’re spending on internet services, call your internet provider to see if you can keep costs down. Most internet providers are willing to budge on price if it means they can retain a good customer. If you haven’t played this game before, the process can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. All you have to say is, “I’m considering switching because my bill keeps going up, can you help me get back to a promo rate?” 

The key is to skip chatting with customer service and ask to speak directly with a retention rep. Say “I’d like to speak with someone who handles customer loyalty or retention” and be direct and calm. Doing so will open the door to the retention department’s best offers. Mention competitors by name if needed. For example: Xfinity is offering me $40 per month for the same speed.

If you need help coming up with the perfect script, turn to the WorkMoney one-click script generator. All you have to do is enter your current provider name and internet speed. Then you will receive a custom phone script plus alternate plan quotes.

Pay close attention to your internet bill and keep an eye out for sneaky fees like these:

• Late fees: Often forgiven if you call and explain hardship

• Installation fees: Internet providers may waive these for existing customers

• Regional sports or broadcast fees: Ask to switch to internet-only plan if you stream your TV instead of relying on cable

• Overage fees: These happen when you use more data than your plan allows—usually about $10 for every extra 50GB. Switching to a plan with more data can help you avoid these charges.

Alongside taking advantage of some of the quick fixes we mentioned, you can also look into more long term savings solutions. 

Stop Renting Hardware You Can Buy Once

When you first set up your internet service, you’ll need a modem/router to get things rolling. Internet service providers let you rent this hardware directly from them, but rental fees can add up—usually totaling $120 to $300 per year. Instead, you can buy your own: a basic modem costs around $50, a good router runs $100 to $150, or you can get a modem-router combo for about $99 to $500. In many cases, you’ll earn your money back within the first year.

To save even more, you don’t have to purchase the equipment brand new. You can often find it used for a deep discount on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Look for Financial Assistance Programs

There are government financial programs in place that can really move the needle when it comes to your internet spending. Lifeline is a great example of a federal support program. Lifeline is a government program that gives low-income households a discount on phone or internet service. It helps cover the monthly cost of broadband, phone, or bundled plans through approved providers, so more people can stay connected to jobs, healthcare, and education. Consumers can save $9.25 per month. 

Some states have their own financial assistance programs to help out with utility bills like internet service, so it’s always worth looking into what resources are available to you locally. You can also look outside of government programs for support. With the help of EveryoneOn.org, you can locate free or reduced internet based on your ZIP code and income. Most providers offer plans for $10 per month.

Lock in a Promo for 2 Years or More

When you call your internet provider to chat about pricing, ask about 12- or 24-month price locks. If you’re signing up for a new internet service, this is also a smart time to chat about locking in promotional prices. 

Don’t let the clock run out on those savings. Set a calendar reminder to renegotiate 30 days before promo ends. After all, the worst they can do is say no, so it never hurts to ask. 

Choose a Reseller Fiber or Fixed Wireless Deals Provider

Reseller fiber and fixed wireless providers tend to be cheaper alternatives to big-name cable companies. Reseller fiber providers lease network access from major fiber-optic internet companies and resell it to customers. Often, they can do this at lower prices or with different service terms. Fixed wireless providers deliver internet through radio signals from nearby towers to a receiver at your home, offering a cable-free alternative in areas without wired broadband. These services offer the same or even better internet speeds but don’t advertise as heavily, so they’re easy to miss.

Keep an Eye on Pricing

Don’t set and forget your internet bill. You can use the WorkMoney Broadband Price Index to track quarterly promo and post-promo rates by region.