How I Successfully Stopped My Cable Bill from Rising Again—And You Can Too!

It’s time to take a look at my cable and internet bill again. Every few months, I call my provider, Optimum (now part of Altice), to snag discounts and keep my monthly charges down. Let’s dive into how I’ve navigated my bills and why I’ve stuck with Optimum despite my earlier plans to cancel cable.

Back in 2020, Optimum raised its popular packages, increasing my bill from $263.63 to $280 a month. Not wanting to pay more, I called them up. After chatting, I managed to lower my bill to $230. That was a nice win, but I thought I could do even better.

I started researching alternatives, comparing streaming services to see if I could create a package that worked for us. I found one that would cost $181.95. Motivated, I declared I would cut the cord.

However, when I called to cancel, Optimum offered some credits and discounts, bringing my bill up to just 50 cents more than my DIY package. Happy with their service, I decided to stay.

Every year, I had to call back to renew those credits. The deals changed — some lasting a year, others only a few months. Surprisingly, I often found better promotions with each call. My most recent success in January dropped my bill to $117.06 per month.

But life happens. I missed my April call to renew some credits, and my bill rose to $157.06, which was on me. I also noted that a promo for free “premium” channels would end in July, so I stayed vigilant.

When I called about those premium channels, the representative gave me a $10 loyalty credit just for reaching out and promised to call back with updates. However, when she did, there weren’t any exciting new offers. Instead, my bill was set to rise by $32.97 to keep the channels.

Determined to keep my costs in check, I asked if there were loyalty credits available. That’s when I learned about the retention department — the team that helps customers who want to leave.

I spoke with a retention agent and reviewed my options. Ultimately, they confirmed that my current package was already a better deal than they could offer me. Yet after pushing for more, I found a solution: I could temporarily get one channel for free and another two channels for just $1 a month. I even earned a one-time $12 credit, putting my new bill at about $136.06, with a minor increase planned for the next year.

This experience is common among cable customers. A 2023 survey found that 42% of people regularly negotiate their bills to save money. It shows how being proactive can lead to significant savings.

The retention department remains key for customers trying to navigate these waters. With new promotions popping up regularly, staying informed can make a real difference.

I’m keeping reminders in my calendar to call back every month and see what new offers might be out there. If you’re in a similar boat, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider—it’s always worth trying.



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