Save money painlessly by negotiating discounts for monthly household expenses.

    OK, so you've already cut your monthly budget in an effort to build your savings. Daily lattes are gone, dinners out are rare, and perhaps you're saving money by working at home. What else can you do to cut your monthly household expenses?

    你ni正zheng在zai通tong過guo節jie省sheng家jia用yong開kai銷xiao來lai省sheng錢qian。那na好hao吧ba，你ni已yi經jing開kai始shi減jian少shao每mei月yue的de預yu算suan來lai努nu力li存cun錢qian了le。每mei天tian一yi杯bei咖ka啡fei的de享xiang受shou沒mei有you了le，也ye不bu去qu外wai麵mian餐can館guan就jiu餐can了le，也ye許xu你ni為wei了le省sheng錢qian都dou呆dai在zai家jia裏li工gong作zuo了le。你ni還hai可ke以yi做zuo些xie什shen麼me來lai節jie省sheng每mei月yue家jia庭ting開kai支zhi呢ne？

    Cutting your monthly budget again doesn't mean trimming necessities; it means saving money on them. That might include trimming grocery costs and comparison shopping for items likes clothes and household goods.

    節(jie)省(sheng)每(mei)月(yue)的(de)開(kai)支(zhi)預(yu)算(suan)並(bing)不(bu)是(shi)說(shuo)減(jian)少(shao)生(sheng)活(huo)的(de)必(bi)需(xu)品(pin)。而(er)是(shi)說(shuo)在(zai)這(zhe)些(xie)上(shang)麵(mian)省(sheng)錢(qian)。這(zhe)也(ye)就(jiu)意(yi)味(wei)著(zhe)要(yao)減(jian)少(shao)日(ri)雜(za)開(kai)支(zhi)，買(mai)衣(yi)服(fu)或(huo)家(jia)庭(ting)用(yong)品(pin)的(de)時(shi)候(hou)多(duo)逛(guang)幾(ji)家(jia)店(dian)對(dui)比(bi)一(yi)下(xia)價(jia)格(ge)。

    But when you save money on these purchases, each discount only happens once. To really maximize your savings, cut your recurring expenses, and let the savings add up.

    但(dan)是(shi)當(dang)你(ni)在(zai)買(mai)這(zhe)些(xie)東(dong)西(xi)上(shang)麵(mian)省(sheng)錢(qian)時(shi)，隻(zhi)能(neng)有(you)一(yi)次(ci)的(de)打(da)折(zhe)機(ji)會(hui)。為(wei)了(le)真(zhen)正(zheng)達(da)到(dao)節(jie)約(yue)開(kai)支(zhi)的(de)目(mu)的(de)，你(ni)需(xu)要(yao)削(xue)減(jian)你(ni)的(de)日(ri)常(chang)開(kai)支(zhi)費(fei)用(yong)
，多(duo)存(cun)點(dian)錢(qian)。

    Review Your Monthly Budget Expenses

    回顧一下你的每月開支預算

    We tend to think that the costs of goods and services only goes up, but, in fact, they sometimes goes down. Competition and new technology often bring down prices for services like cable, telephone and Internet--giving us an opportunity to cut monthly budget expenses painlessly. So consolidating your business at one company or signing up for bundled services also might mean a discount.

    我wo們men經jing常chang會hui想xiang當dang然ran的de認ren為wei服fu務wu以yi及ji物wu價jia是shi一yi直zhi上shang漲zhang的de
，但dan其qi實shi有you時shi候hou他ta們men是shi會hui下xia降jiang的de。競jing爭zheng以yi及ji新xin的de科ke技ji經jing常chang會hui給gei電dian視shi，電dian話hua，網wang絡luo這zhe樣yang的de服fu務wu行xing業ye帶dai來lai降jiang價jia，這zhe就jiu提ti供gong給gei我wo們men每mei月yue可ke以yi毫hao無wu痛tong苦ku地di節jie省sheng開kai支zhi的de機ji會hui。所suo以yi
，隻zhi購gou買mai固gu定ding的de品pin牌pai或huo者zhe是shi辦ban理li捆kun綁bang性xing的de服fu務wu都dou有you可ke能neng會hui給gei你ni省sheng錢qian。

    But few companies advertise to existing customers that they have lowered their prices. You have to review these monthly household expenses periodically to be sure you are getting the best deal.

    danshihenshaoyougongsizaijiangjiahouhuidaguanggaotongzhikehuzheyizhenfenrenxindexiaoxi。suoyi
，nixuyaomeiyuedoushenzhazhexiejiatingkaizhiyusuan，yiquebaozijidedaolezuishihuidezhekou。

    Here's a list of 10 places to cut your monthly budget:

    以下10招幫你節省每月開支

    1.Insurance

    保險

    Compare prices for auto, home, health, business and life insurance. Consolidating at one insurance company could lower your insurance costs. That might mean you'll need to take your business elsewhere to save money. But before you do, be sure you're getting all the discounts you deserve at your current company.

    比bi較jiao汽qi車che保bao險xian，家jia庭ting保bao險xian，健jian康kang保bao險xian
，商shang業ye保bao險xian以yi及ji人ren生sheng保bao險xian的de價jia格ge。在zai同tong一yi家jia保bao險xian公gong司si買mai的de話hua可ke以yi降jiang低di你ni的de購gou買mai成cheng本ben。這zhe就jiu意yi味wei著zhe你ni要yao在zai別bie的de地di方fang省sheng錢qian。但dan是shi這zhe樣yang做zuo之zhi前qian
，要yao確que保bao那na家jia公gong司si給gei了le你ni最zui優you惠hui的de購gou買mai折zhe扣kou。

    Consider raising your deductible for lower rates. Ask your agent what other discounts you might qualify for. Often working from home could mean a discount on auto insurance.

    考(kao)慮(lv)下(xia)以(yi)低(di)利(li)率(lv)來(lai)增(zeng)加(jia)你(ni)的(de)可(ke)扣(kou)款(kuan)。問(wen)問(wen)你(ni)的(de)代(dai)理(li)機(ji)構(gou)你(ni)還(hai)可(ke)以(yi)得(de)到(dao)什(shen)麼(me)樣(yang)的(de)其(qi)他(ta)折(zhe)扣(kou)。經(jing)常(chang)在(zai)家(jia)工(gong)作(zuo)就(jiu)代(dai)表(biao)著(zhe)可(ke)以(yi)在(zai)汽(qi)車(che)保(bao)險(xian)上(shang)省(sheng)錢(qian)。

    2.Financial Fees

    財務費

    Are you still paying a monthly fee even though your bank now offers free checking? Particularly if you have direct deposit, most banks offer some type of free checking. I found I was paying $8 month for only a few services （like free certified checks） that weren't available on the bank's free checking program.

    即(ji)使(shi)現(xian)在(zai)的(de)銀(yin)行(xing)提(ti)供(gong)免(mian)費(fei)存(cun)儲(chu)業(ye)務(wu)，你(ni)是(shi)否(fou)每(mei)月(yue)還(hai)在(zai)繼(ji)續(xu)為(wei)你(ni)的(de)戶(hu)頭(tou)付(fu)費(fei)呢(ne)？特(te)別(bie)是(shi)如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)辦(ban)理(li)的(de)是(shi)直(zhi)接(jie)存(cun)款(kuan)業(ye)務(wu)的(de)話(hua)，大(da)多(duo)數(shu)銀(yin)行(xing)都(dou)會(hui)提(ti)供(gong)好(hao)幾(ji)種(zhong)類(lei)型(xing)的(de)免(mian)費(fei)儲(chu)蓄(xu)。

    我發現每個月我都交給銀行8美元
，但是隻能享受到銀行不免費提供的個別服務（如免費確認支票）.

    Do you incur ATM fees because your bank's machines are not convenient? It might be as simple as reviewing your current bank's options or you might consider migrating your account to an Internet bank, especially if earning more interest is important to you.

    你是否因為銀行取款機不方便而要支付ATMfeiyongne
？jiejuedezuijiandandefangfayexujiushikankannicunkuandeyinxingyoumeiyouqitaxuanze，huozhejiangqiancundaowangshangyinxing
，tebieshidangcunkuanlixiduinilaishuoshihenzhongyaodeshihoujiugengyaozheyangzuole。

    3.Cable and Satellite Television

    電視和衛星電視

    Competition in this industry means that new packages are available that could save you money. Television and phone service providers are now bundling together their services, so consolidating your phone and TV services at one company may save money.

    zaigaixingyedejiliedejingzhengjiuyiweizhexinchanpinnenggoubangnishengqian。rujin
，dianshihedianhuafuwushangdouxihuanjiangyewukunbangzaiyiqituixiao，suoyizaitongyijiagongsibanlikunbangyewukeyibangnishengqian。

    New customers, whether bundling services or not, usually get the best deals, so it may be necessary to switch providers. But sometimes threatening to switch will net you a discount. Also, if you're really serious about saving money, consider downgrading your package by cutting out pay cable channels.

    xinkehu，buguanshifouxuanzekunbangyewu，douhuidedaozuiyouhuidefuwu，suoyiyoubiyaodehua，keyijingchanghuangongyingshang。danshijingchanggenghuangongyingshangdeweixianjiushihuishinixiangshoubudaozhekou。bingqie，ruguonizhendexiangshengqiandehua
，keyikaolvxiajianshaofufeipindaodedinggou。

    4.Cell Phone

    手機

    Cell phone companies love to offer free phones to induce you to sign up for another two-year contract. Before you renew your contract ask yourself a few questions:

    手機公司都會以提供免費手機為名，讓你簽下兩年的花費合約。在你簽之前先問問自己：

    （1）Do you really need a new phone and what is the hidden cost up sticking with your plan to get it? （I got my cell phone from Ebay for $30 rather than take the free one and the two-year contract.）

    你真的需要一個新手機嗎？在你得到這個手機的背後你要付出多少成本？（我寧願從易趣網上花30美元買個手機，而不願要一個免費的手機和兩年的花費合同）.

    （2）Are you using all the minutes allotted?

    你用得完所有的通話時間嗎？

    （3）Are you paying for Internet and texting but not using it enough to justify the cost? Or are you using it so much that another plan might be a better deal?

    你是否支付了過多的短信費和手機流量費？或者你是否每個月都超支，換選另外一種套餐也許是更實惠的做法。

    （4）Would a cheaper plan or a prepaid cell phone serve you just as well?

    是不是有適合你的更便宜的套餐或者付費電話服務呢？

    5.Telephone

    電話

    Many people are getting rid of their landlines entirely. However, if you work out of your home, this may not be a feasible option. But if you have a separate fax line, you might consider discontinuing it. With a scanner, you can email documents as PDFs instead of faxing.

    很(hen)多(duo)人(ren)已(yi)經(jing)完(wan)全(quan)淘(tao)汰(tai)了(le)座(zuo)機(ji)電(dian)話(hua)。但(dan)是(shi)
，這(zhe)對(dui)失(shi)業(ye)在(zai)家(jia)的(de)你(ni)來(lai)說(shuo)可(ke)是(shi)個(ge)行(xing)不(bu)通(tong)的(de)選(xuan)擇(ze)。但(dan)是(shi)如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)有(you)獨(du)立(li)的(de)傳(chuan)真(zhen)電(dian)話(hua)的(de)話(hua)

，你(ni)可(ke)以(yi)考(kao)慮(lv)淘(tao)汰(tai)座(zuo)機(ji)。而(er)有(you)掃(sao)描(miao)儀(yi)的(de)話(hua)
，你(ni)又(you)可(ke)以(yi)不(bu)用(yong)發(fa)傳(chuan)真(zhen)，而(er)是(shi)將(jiang)文(wen)件(jian)掃(sao)描(miao)成(cheng)PDF檔電郵給客戶。

    Like cable and Internet providers, landline phone service packages keep getting cheaper as more competition comes on the market. Consider VOIP or cable phone services. If you do stay with your traditional telephone company, be sure you are getting the cheapest long distance service and not paying for services you don't need.

    zhengrudianshihewangluoshangjianayang，yinweishichangshangjiliedejingzheng
，henduodianhuashangjiasuotigongdechanpinyeshiyuelaiyuebianyi。kaolvxiashiyongwangluodianhuahuozhedianlandianhuaba。ruguoniyidingyaojianchishiyongchuantongdedianhuadehua，quebaonidedaodechangtudianhuashoufeishizuiyouhuide
，lingwai，buyaoweibuxuyaodefuwufufei。

    6.Internet Provider

    互聯網供應商

    Shopping around for a better package of telephone services might also save you on your Internet access if you use DSL. But there are many other options for Internet services including cable, satellite and a whole host of wireless Internet options.

    使用DSLzaiwangshangsichuguangguang，zhaoyizhaogengbianyidedianhuafuwuyekeyibangnijieshengkaizhi。danshiniyekeyishiyongqitadewangluofuwu


，rudianshi，weixingdengyizhengtaodewangluofuwu。

    The Internet is a telecommuter's lifeline, so do your research first. Be sure if you change service providers the new one will offer the services and reliability your business needs.

    網(wang)絡(luo)是(shi)遠(yuan)程(cheng)通(tong)訊(xun)工(gong)具(ju)，所(suo)以(yi)先(xian)要(yao)在(zai)網(wang)上(shang)做(zuo)好(hao)搜(sou)索(suo)工(gong)作(zuo)。確(que)保(bao)如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)更(geng)換(huan)供(gong)應(ying)商(shang)的(de)話(hua)
，新(xin)的(de)供(gong)應(ying)商(shang)會(hui)在(zai)滿(man)足(zu)你(ni)業(ye)務(wu)需(xu)求(qiu)的(de)前(qian)提(ti)下(xia)更(geng)可(ke)靠(kao)的(de)提(ti)供(gong)給(gei)最(zui)優(you)惠(hui)的(de)服(fu)務(wu)。

    7.Refinance Your Home

    將你的房屋重新抵押籌備資金

    Refinancing your home can cut your monthly budget expenses the most significantly, sometimes saving you hundreds of dollars per month.

    將房屋重新抵押籌備資金能夠為你節省開支成本做出很大的貢獻，每月能為你節省上百美元。

    But refinancing involves many upfront costs （interest points, taxes, fees, etc.）, so it may take several months （or even years） for you to actually realize these savings. And if you're not planning to stay in the house for long, you could actually lose money on refinancing. Carefully consider the pros and cons of refinancing your home before taking this cost-cutting step.

    將房屋重新抵押籌備資金包括了很多成本（如利率點，稅收
，手續費等）,suoyinikenengyaohuajigeyueshenzhishangniandeshijiancainengcongzhongkandaojieshengdechengben。dangranle，ruguonibudasuanzaizhesuofangzidaihenjiudehua，nizheyangzuojiukenengsunshibushaoqian。zaizuochengbendezaidiyazhiqianyidingyaoshenzhongkaolvhaozheyangzuodelibi。

    8.Credit Card Rewards Points

    信用卡積分

    If you have a credit card with rewards points, use them. But use them wisely. Keep in mind that credit card companies offer points to induce you spend more. So don't pay more （by racking up interest or fees） in order to get rewards points. To accumulate points faster, concentrate your spending on the one card that offers the reward you will use （for me that's the one with Home Depot gift cards） rather than spreading your spending among several cards.

    如ru果guo你ni的de信xin用yong卡ka上shang有you積ji分fen的de話hua

，使shi用yong它ta們men。但dan是shi要yao精jing明ming的de使shi用yong這zhe些xie積ji分fen。你ni要yao知zhi道dao信xin用yong卡ka公gong司si之zhi所suo以yi提ti供gong積ji分fen是shi為wei了le促cu進jin你ni的de消xiao費fei。所suo以yi不bu要yao為wei了le積ji分fen而er去qu消xiao費fei。為wei了le更geng快kuai的de累lei積ji積ji分fen，最zui好hao的de方fang法fa是shi使shi用yong一yi張zhang提ti供gong積ji分fen的de信xin用yong卡ka
，而er不bu用yong很hen多duo張zhang信xin用yong卡ka消xiao費fei。

    Saving rewards points for your dream vacation or another splurge runs the risk of the points expiring or never being used. Using points on a regular basis helps you cut your monthly expenses. Consider using rewards systems that pay cash or offer gift cards that you will actually use.

    累lei積ji積ji分fen的de好hao處chu是shi也ye許xu能neng夠gou實shi現xian你ni夢meng想xiang的de假jia期qi或huo者zhe其qi他ta值zhi得de炫xuan耀yao的de獎jiang項xiang，但dan是shi風feng險xian就jiu是shi可ke能neng商shang家jia會hui終zhong止zhi積ji分fen，或huo你ni一yi直zhi沒mei機ji會hui使shi用yong這zhe些xie積ji分fen。定ding期qi使shi用yong積ji分fen可ke以yi幫bang你ni節jie約yue每mei月yue開kai支zhi。選xuan擇ze反fan饋kui現xian金jin或huo禮li品pin卡ka的de消xiao費fei更geng有you效xiao。

    9.Utility Bills

    水電費

    Like phone and cable industries, your utility company likely has more competition than it once did. Often you can change gas or electric suppliers for a better price on your energy needs, while still remaining a customer of the same utility company for billing and delivery purposes. However, these other suppliers don't always have a better price so be sure to do some comparison shopping.

    正如電話、電(dian)視(shi)行(xing)業(ye)那(na)樣(yang)，你(ni)們(men)家(jia)的(de)水(shui)電(dian)費(fei)公(gong)司(si)如(ru)今(jin)也(ye)麵(mian)臨(lin)著(zhe)前(qian)所(suo)未(wei)有(you)的(de)競(jing)爭(zheng)。在(zai)滿(man)足(zu)需(xu)求(qiu)的(de)前(qian)提(ti)下(xia)

，你(ni)可(ke)以(yi)經(jing)常(chang)性(xing)地(di)更(geng)換(huan)能(neng)給(gei)你(ni)帶(dai)來(lai)更(geng)多(duo)實(shi)惠(hui)的(de)煤(mei)氣(qi)或(huo)電(dian)氣(qi)供(gong)應(ying)商(shang)，但(dan)是(shi)你(ni)可(ke)能(neng)為(wei)了(le)結(jie)算(suan)和(he)支(zhi)付(fu)方(fang)便(bian)一(yi)直(zhi)使(shi)用(yong)同(tong)一(yi)家(jia)水(shui)電(dian)公(gong)司(si)。但(dan)是(shi)，這(zhe)些(xie)供(gong)應(ying)商(shang)不(bu)可(ke)能(neng)一(yi)直(zhi)都(dou)提(ti)供(gong)給(gei)你(ni)最(zui)優(you)惠(hui)的(de)價(jia)格(ge)
，所(suo)以(yi)要(yao)經(jing)常(chang)貨(huo)比(bi)三(san)家(jia)。

    But the old-fashioned way to save on utility costs is simply to conserve electricity or waste less water.

    而最傳統的節約水電費開支的方法就是盡量節約用水用電。

    10.Credit Card Interest Expense

    信用卡利息

    Monthly interest can be a huge expense for those with a large debt. Making only a minimum payment means the monthly interest eats up most of your payment. Reducing interest can mean more money for other expenses or paying off debt faster.

    每(mei)月(yue)如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)有(you)大(da)量(liang)負(fu)債(zhai)的(de)話(hua)肯(ken)定(ding)會(hui)產(chan)生(sheng)巨(ju)大(da)的(de)利(li)息(xi)。保(bao)底(di)消(xiao)費(fei)就(jiu)意(yi)味(wei)著(zhe)你(ni)每(mei)月(yue)的(de)大(da)部(bu)分(fen)消(xiao)費(fei)都(dou)是(shi)用(yong)來(lai)支(zhi)付(fu)利(li)息(xi)的(de)。你(ni)可(ke)以(yi)通(tong)過(guo)其(qi)他(ta)消(xiao)費(fei)或(huo)早(zao)一(yi)點(dian)還(hai)請(qing)貸(dai)款(kuan)來(lai)降(jiang)低(di)利(li)息(xi)。

    One way to lower your interest is to simply ask for a lower interest rate. Companies will often oblige to keep your business. If they don't, consider a balance transfer to another card with a better rate. Read the fine print, though, balance transfers sometimes offer rates that go up after a period of time and usually involve fees.

    減jian少shao利li息xi最zui簡jian單dan的de方fang法fa就jiu是shi向xiang信xin用yong卡ka公gong司si要yao求qiu更geng低di的de償chang還hai利li息xi。這zhe些xie公gong司si為wei了le保bao住zhu客ke戶hu
，會hui答da應ying你ni的de要yao求qiu。如ru果guo他ta們men不bu同tong意yi的de話hua，就jiu將jiang信xin用yong卡ka的de帳zhang目mu轉zhuan到dao另ling一yi張zhang利li息xi更geng好hao的de信xin用yong卡ka上shang。但dan是shi，要yao看kan清qing楚chu文wen件jian，因yin為wei結jie餘yu轉zhuan戶hu有you時shi候hou在zai一yi定ding時shi期qi後hou利li率lv會hui更geng高gao，並bing且qie都dou會hui產chan生sheng手shou續xu費fei。