Upgrade Your Internet Service Package

This is one of the few tech-related tips that I need to be reminded of occasionally, and something that my mom does not. While I don’t particularly like thinking about my ISP when all is well, it’s good to remember that if you haven’t looked at your service plan in a while they may have newer offerings that end up being cheaper than your current plan. I haven’t looked since we moved a few years ago, found out that I can go from 800Mbps to 2Gbps and save $14/mo. Admittedly, this is an unusual result because of how Xfinity’s plans handle unlimited data, but even going from 800Mbps to 1Gbps would’ve been a good enough deal to jump on.

Now for a tip that my mom probably DOESN’T know: your ISP is leasing equipment to you that you could just be buying outright yourself. Xfinity is my home ISP and is surprisingly upfront about this option. Most ISPs I’ve used in the past required calling in and specifically asking to install your own equipment. Regardless of method, you’ll need to make sure you have a modem that’s compatible with your service before calling in to have your ISP activate it. Most ISPs publish a list of compatible modems on their website, make sure to check that before buying anything.

The lesson here? Give your ISP a call and see what kind of dough you can save. More likely than not, you’ll be able to upgrade your service. And if you feel brave enough to use your own equipment, ask them about that, too.