Hidden Charges « The Shopping Nazi

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Measure Your Cars CPM not MPG

It was back in August of 2009 when I wrote about figuring what it would cost me to drive my Dodge Caravan one mile. Since then I have come across new information. It seems that I am not the only one who realizes that the old way of measuring a cars efficiency by miles per gallon leaves out too many variables. Since August of 2009, everyone that I have talked with have raised their eye brows...

Foreclosure Don’t Give Up

Foreclosure is a word that has been striking fear, remorse and a lot of negative emotions in virtually every home owner in the past few years. News agencies have been reporting 1 in 10 home owners are facing foreclosure. The most common foreclose is for failing to pay the mortgage. Foreclosure can all happen for failing to do something else not related to money. This can be not adhering to...

Self Improvement with Audible

If you are coming to The Shopping Nazi, you want to improve your lifestyle. You want to be able to get the best possible value with your hard earned dollar. If you know that Audible.com has a large selection of audio books to help you. There are books to help you improve you communication skills, parenting skills, personal finance, and even audio books to help motivate/inspire you to do what yo...

Shopping for Shoes – Intro

Before Sex in the City, it is accepted that women like fancy shoes, with high heels. Men are not any more practical. Men what boot to look and feel macho. Both are not necessarily the best approach to buying shoes. 21st century has taken over, even the shoe industry. I am sure many of you have see the TV commercial that suggests you don't have to go to the gym. All you have to do is wear this c...

Shopping for the Palm Pre

It has been over a year since Palm released the Palm Pre. At that time all the tech reviewers were joking that the Palm Pre was the pre-bankruptcy release for Palm. Well, Palm has not gone into bankruptcy. Three of the four major cell phone carriers offer the Palm Pre. In call seriousness the Palm cell phone is different than the Blackberry, or the many smart phones that use the Android operati...

Shopping for the Chevy Equinox

The Chevy Equinox is classified in what some people want to call "plus-sized crossover, small SUV". This basically means the Equinox is smaller than a full size SUV and larger than your standard crossover. The much advertised feature of the Chevy Equinox is the rear seating and rear storage. 60/40-split rear seat that could be slid almost 8 inches front and rear. In the rear cargo section t...

Money Management from the Mint

Way back in 1995, I remember when I helped a young pest control business get their first computer. We set up their books with a new software from Quicken. Over the years, Quicken has been the only real money management software for personal of business use. Since then there has been several of money management programs to come on the market and many of them leave. Then in 2005, Aaron Patzer sai...

Dean Koontz on Audible

One of the many author found at Audible.com is Dean Koontz. Do you realize you can get his Dean's book Breathless in an MP3, but it on your iPod, or other MP3 player and listen to it while driving to work, or even washing the car, or at the gym. Breathless was #1 New York Times bestseller. Author Dean Koontz delivers a thrilling novel of suspense and adventure. The mystery unfolds high ...

Clear Expectation of Service

Several years ago, I worked briefly at this computer store. The owner would change the terms of service at least once a week, if not more. When I left there the Terms of Service was very fine print on the back of every receipt. The receipt was printed on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. This is nothing unusual. Every business has literature that states where their responsibly starts and where ...

Shopping for a 32 Inch LCD

I love sitting around coffee shops, and lounge area. What I over hear is so amazing. Just the other day this guy asked a friend, "Where was the best place to get a LCD TV?" The friend answered quick, "Fred Meyer, they have the best prices." I was so tempted to lean over and ask what empirical data he was making statement. Instead I bit my tongue. Without any ceremony, I got up and walked t...

Hidden Charges

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on March 12, 2010 in Budget, Business, Home - Comments: Comments Off

In this past week, I have seen the price of gas go up a good 15 cents per gallon. For many of us that are struggling in the Great Recession, this makes another obstacle we have to climb over to get out of the hole.

This week, I have found three more obstacles. Each of the three hidden charges were in my monthly bills. Things that I did not realize that I was being charged, then the money coming out of my pocket. When I questioned the charges, I was told it was written in to my agreement or terms of service.

Phone Bill – $15.61 in Other Charges, What is Other Charges? When asked for specifics I go the answer, “These include non-communications related charges such as Premium Handset Protection and communication-related charges, such as certain fees”.

Gym – Twice a year there is a $40 charge added to my regular monthly bill. When question about that extra bill was, I was told that was for equipment upgrades.

Gas Bill – My local gas company charges me $6.50 for sending me a bill in the mail each month.

These are just three things I found this week, where I was losing money. It broke down to over $28 per month I am spending on hidden fees. These were charges I was not aware that I was being charged.

I have since taken steps to stop or reduce those charges.

Phone Bill – I am still quizzing my cell phone provider as to what those charges are exactly. If I don’t get a satifying answer, then I will ask for help from the Better Business Bureau.

Gym - My gym membership expires in a couple of months. At that time I will be looking for another gym.

Gas Bill – My gas company told me if I went to auto pay, I would not have to pay that $6.50.

I only mention three. I am sure as dig deeper in to all those contracts, comments, and terms of service, I will find much more. That is why I hate big pieces of paper with a lot of fine print. Then the wording is such that makes is hard to understand. That is why I review every bill at least once a year.

You may just be surprised as to what is coming out of you bank account and for what reason. Just off the correction to some of my bills, I am more than able to make up for the latest increase in gasoline.