6 Web Sites to Help You Lower Your Bills
With money-saving site BillShrink shutting down, here are some alternatives.
BillShrink -- the Web site that helps you compare credit cards, cell-phone plans, gas stations, savings rates and television services -- recently announced that it's shutting down July 31. There are several things about the site that has made it a favorite among personal finance publications, including Kiplinger's, over the past five years it has been in operation.
For starters, it's free. It provides customized recommendations based on information you provide for ways you can shrink your bills with lower-cost alternatives to services and financial products you're using. And it will send you e-mail alerts if better savings are available.
In a July 17 e-mail to users, the BillShrink team said it expects to launch a new money-saving service in the future. But it did not provide a reason for shutting down BillShrink. And no one from the BillShrink team responded to a request from Kiplinger's for a comment.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
There are several other sites that can help you compare the products and services that BillShrink's money-saving tool does. Unfortunately, most focus only on one or two products and services, so you'll have to visit several free sites to get the same sort of information you got from BillShrink alone.
MyRatePlan is most similar to BillShrink in terms of the number of products and services for which it provides price comparisons -- cell-phone plans, VoIP and cable phone plans, television services, credit cards, travel and insurance. But it doesn't provide recommendations for you -- it's up to you to do the actual comparisons.
Bankrate provides comparisons for all things banking: checking, savings and money market accounts, CD rates, credit cards, mortgage rates and auto loans. It also provides insurance quotes. Another site to consider for banking comparisons is Kasasa, which helps you find community banks or credit unions with free accounts and high rates.
LowCards.com helps you compare credit cards based on card type, how much you plan to spend per month on the card and whether you'll carry a balance. It provides a list of the top cards in every category with an unbiased opinion on every card.
WhistleOut lets you compare cell-phone plans based on minutes, data and price range that you enter.
GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas prices near you. Simply enter your city and state or zip code.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Award-winning journalist, speaker, family finance expert, and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk.
Cameron Huddleston wrote the daily "Kip Tips" column for Kiplinger.com. She joined Kiplinger in 2001 after graduating from American University with an MA in economic journalism.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Close Mixed Amid War Angst, Nvidia Anxiety
Markets went into risk-off mode amid rising geopolitical tensions and high anxiety ahead of bellwether Nvidia's earnings report.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
What the Comcast Cable Spinoff Means for Investors
Comcast has announced plans to spin off select cable networks and digital assets into a separate publicly traded company. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental Properties
Travel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
By Cameron Huddleston Last updated
-
How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and More
Travel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
By Cameron Huddleston Last updated
-
How to Appeal an Unexpected Medical Bill
health insurance You may receive a bill because your insurance company denied a claim—but that doesn’t mean you have to pay it.
By Rivan V. Stinson Published
-
Amazon Prime Fees Are Rising. Here’s How to Cancel Your Amazon Prime Membership
Amazon Prime Amazon Prime will soon cost $139 a year, $180 for those who pay monthly. If you’re a subscriber, maybe it’s time to rethink your relationship. Here’s a step-by-step guide to canceling Prime.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
How to Haggle for Almost Anything
Smart Buying Learning how to haggle is an invaluable skill. These strategies will help you negotiate a better price for just about any product or service.
By Katherine Reynolds Lewis Last updated
-
Disability Insurance Can Provide COVID Coverage
Coronavirus and Your Money If you are concerned about long-term complications from COVID-19, consider disability insurance coverage.
By Rivan V. Stinson Published
-
21 Things You Can't Return to Amazon — Either Online or In-Store
Did you know there are things you can't return to Amazon? Before tossing these items into your shopping cart, be sure to read Amazon's return policy first.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
How to Avoid a Charity Scam
personal finance Scammers never quit, even when you're trying to be altruistic. But you can avoid getting duped if you do your homework.
By Rivan V. Stinson Published