Chatham woman rings up almost $300 in savings
Chatham resident Claire Addams expects to save about $288 a year by making changes to her phone service.
Addams, 75, who lives on a fixed income, said she pays about $44 a month on her home's landline service, including paying AT&T for long distance minutes she doesn't use.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
Addams was among dozens of people who went to the Chatham ShoreBank Friday to get tips from the Citizens Utility Board on how to cut phone bills. CUB showed her three ways o save:
• • Dropping the Line-Backer program, which insures phone wires in a home. CUB Executive Director David Kolata said inside wire problems are rare. "Most happen about once every 25 years." Saved: about $84 a year.
• • Switching to one of AT&T's Consumer Choice plans. AT&T is required to offer these three plans but does not have to tell consumers about them unless they are directly asked. Saved: $132.
• • Changing her long distance plan because she uses a cell phone for her non-local calls. Saved: $72.
Addams thinks she is saving enough on her phone bill that she'll be able to keep her $35-a-month garage space that she thought she was going to have to give up.
She also is changing her Internet service plan, because CUB pointed out that the discounted promotional package she signed up for had expired and the fee was much higher.
Other tips from CUB:
• • Avoid 411 calls, which average about $2 a call. Use a free directory assistance service, such as 1-800-FREE411.
• • Shop for long distance with lesser known companies, such as Pioneer Telephone.
• • Drop voice mail, which can run as much as $10 a month.
Call CUB at (866) 688-4282 for free help.
Sun-Times News Group
