Tip to trim your monthly auto insurance premium

Trimming down the cost of a monthly car insurance premium may be easier to do, especially if you've recently been laid off.

Depending on state and insurance carrier, the cost of your car insurance premium can be trimmed if you drive less because of a job loss or change in commuting habits. An annual mileage estimate change could lower your cost... and not lower your coverage. A quick call to your insurance agent will determine whether you qualify.

For example, the Well Heeled blog reports that after losing a job, the annual mileage estimate with job interviews included was still much lower than the daily commute. The savings? A $75 a month premium was lowered to $60, and the recipient received a $135 overpayment from the auto insurance carrier.

Think you may be eligible for a lower monthly premium thanks to your annual mileage estimate? Here are signs that may result in a lower premium depending on state:

• Change in job situation, meaning a shorter commute
• Change in relationship, meaning you have moved in with that special someone
• Change in environment, meaning you've moved to a city from a rural area

Buyer's remorse over fixed-rate oil prices

Heating oil prices are half of what they were last fall. Why are so many stuck paying the hiked-up prices?

There's good news for consumers regarding heating oil rates. The Energy Administration announced national prices for March 2009 as low as $2.22; the lowest price since 2005. July 2008 prices were as high as $4.71.

The recession has caused oil prices to fall dramatically, which is good news for those living on a budget. However, some consumers dependent on heating oil are still paying last fall's prices. Fearing that heating oil prices would continue to climb, many consumers opted for a locked-in rate. Ken Glasser locked in at $4 a gallon last August to heat his Boston home. He had his friends and family join in on the fixed-rate. "Some years you're the dog and some years you're the hydrant," Glasser reports to NPR.

The locked in contracts are extremely difficult to break, most requiring a a large termination fee. Buyers remorse is a current theme among fixed-rate customers. In the past decade, fixed-rate customers have made out better than month-to-month customers. Unfortunately, a contract is a contract. Jim Colloura of the New England Fuel Institute says"It was offered as a service to the customer. It was no malicious intent here. … I think this is a learning curve for everybody."

This year's locked in prices are set to be around $2.50, a lot better than last year's. In any case, it is highly unlikely that heating oil prices will come close to last fall's average.

Savings 101: Time to cut out your cable?

Is it time to cut out your cable?

A $70 a month cable bill adds up to $840 a year. That's a nice chunk of cash that could be stashed in the bank, if you're willing to deal with minor buffering issues.

If you do cut your cable, where do you go? Hulu offers free commercial-supported TV shows and movies from NBC, FOX, and many others. Netflix sends you DVDs by mail, and as a bonus streams selected movies via the Internet. You can try Netflix for free, and it's then only $4.99 a month with no late fees. For shows not on Hulu, most of the major networks offer free viewings online. You can also download movies and watch them immediately from iTunes and Amazon, for a small fee.

Cutting your cable may be a money and time saver. Karen Lubensky, switched from cable and uses NetFlix. What does Karen find? "The savings are tremendous. My husband and I watch a lot of movies from Netflix, and I find more time to read, and go to the gym. I now take a sewing class once a week, something I wouldn't have had the money or time for. "

We recommend giving it a try... Maybe cable is something you won't end up missing after all.

Inside Consumer United :: Orit Beitler

Orit Beitler's next adventure? Consumer United.

We welcome Beitler to our Consumer United team! Beitler is excited to help negotiate the best services and deals for consumers. Beitler believes in Consumer United because the customers will be able to save money, and receive excellent care and service by the company's representatives.

What is Beitler's favorite personal finance advice? "The future is always cheaper. If you save what can buy you one donut a day, in ten years the compounded amount will buy you several more donuts." Other ways to save? "Compare, compare, compare."

Each season Beitler enjoys doing different things. In winter, Beitler loves skiing, reading, and working out at the gym. In summer, Beitler is a fan of diving ... she was proposed to under water (and said yes)! Come spring and autumn you will find Beitler hiking, and traveling. Beitler has even climbed Mt. Kenya, which is the second highest mountain in Africa.

Before Consumer United, Beitler worked in the telecommunication industry focusing on several areas in the supply chain, operations and sales, both in Israel and the U.S. Beitler is currently a Sloan Fellow student at MIT.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Energizer.com: Receive a free sample of Energizer audioPRO batteries

NeweggMall.com: 50% off select handbags

OnSale.com: Save $480 on Samsung 46" 1080P LCD HDTV

Magazine City: Save on food and gourmet magazines

Dollar Rent a Car : 5% off any vehicle with code: CJ05

Peapod: Shop Peapod for $10 in FREE groceries

Consumer United: Save 5% on Consumer United's affinity group discount with High Point Auto Insurance in New Jersey

Inside Consumer United :: Brandon Morrocco

Brandon Morrocco is our newest team member at Consumer United, working full time as a Consumer United advocate. Morrocco feels it's inspiring to be a part of a company that is growing so fast. He says it's even more inspiring to imagine where it will be this time next year.

Morrocco believes in Consumer United and the group's mission to save its members money on basic services. When asked how Consumer United will help the average consumer, Morrocco replies: "Consumer United just plain helps, because every penny saved is another penny that can make life more enjoyable. Big-time companies tend to push the average consumer around, it's great to see an organization fighting for the consumer."

How does Morrocco save money? "I save money by putting it in an account with no debit card, or giving it to my girlfriend and telling her not to spend it. Or, I use Ramen noodles as my sole food group." In his free time, Morrocco likes to relax, spend time with his family and watch TV. He loves sports, and has a passion for food whether it be cooking or dining at one of his many area restaurants.

What is Morrocco's favorite financial advice? "Pay off all your debt before saving or investing. The rates on debts are generally 200 to 300 percent higher than investments so whats the point of investing when you have debt that completely washes out any profit you might accrue?"

Before Consumer United, Morrocco graduated from University of Vermont in 2006. He then moved to Florida and worked for Allstate. Now he's in Boston. Morrocco also enjoys travelling. He has been to Russia, Cuba, Spain, France, Italy and England.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Walmart.com: Free sample of Folger's Coffee

Angie’s List: Need a handyman? Find local unbiased reviews on the best handymen

MagazineCity.com: Save on food and gourmet magazines

Restaurant.com: Get a $25 gift certificate to Four Seasons for only $10

AutoGeek.net: Protect your vehicle from the elements with a Covercraft car cover

OnSale.com: Closeout Sale on notebooks, TVs, software and accessories with up to $250 in savings

Consumer United: Sign up with our home security service provider, Brinks, and get free installation on Brinks Home Security standard system. This is a $199 savings off their standard offer. Please say you're a Consumer United member and reference the promo code CCP# 28621.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Degree Men: Free Degree Men Absolute Protection deodrant sample

Blue-Ray: Buy two and get a third blu-ray movie free at Amazon

Restaurant.com: Get $25 Certificates for only $10

OnSale: Free shipping for orders over $49 after rebate

Targus: Gravity backpack with wireless rechargeable mouse. Only $24.99

Reebok: Reebok Premier Ultra KFS Cushion Running Shoe for Men. $44.98

Consumer United: Sign up with our home security service provider, Brinks, and get free installation on Brinks Home Security standard system. This is a $199 savings off their standard offer. Please say you're a Consumer United member and reference the promo code CCP# 28621.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Woot: Breville die-cast espresso & cappuccino maker for $149.99

Orbitz: 50% off hotel & flight packages

Conde Nast: Free sample of Bertolli pasta sauce

Cold Stone Creamery: Free 3 oz. ice cream today

Consumer United: Save up to $200 in additional savings with High Point New Jersey auto insurance

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Kashi: Free cookie sample

OfficeMax: Lexmark printer with auto feeder $70 shipped

Buy.com: Slacker portable internet radio $152 shipped

Mwave.com: Jabra Bluetooth Wireless headset $20

Consumer United: Sign up and save $500-$1000 off home mortgage closing costs

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Travelocity: Round trip flights from $108 at United Airlines

The Limited: 30% off weekend sale

Lenovo.com: Save up to 32% on select notebooks

Buy.com: Genius graphics tablet $69 shipped

Consumer United: Sign up with our new home security service provider, Brinks, and get free installation on Brinks Home Security standard system. This is a $199 savings off their standard offer. Please say you're a Consumer United member and reference the promo code CCP# 28621. Click here to learn more.

Inside Consumer United :: Noelle Sevoian

Noelle Sevoian joined Consumer United in 2008 to work in the marketing department. Being a part of the CU team has inspired Sevoian to think differently about what it means to save money. “Less is more” is her money saving motto, she says. “More stuff will not buy us happiness, but with less, we can focus on the things that really make us happy. Spending less will put more in the bank, too.”

Consumer United can help that savings grow, she says, because as more consumers band together, they will help negotiate even better deals. “This is extremely important due to the rising cost of living.”

In addition to the contributions she makes at Consumer United, Sevoian is an up-and-coming entrepreneur. She started a company that sells vegan granola bars called Noelle’s Bars. She is also a student at Suffolk University where she sings a capella.

Though she will be returning to school in the fall, she will continue as a member of the Consumer United team. “I love the workplace dynamic,” she says. “Everyone is so different and each person has something positive to bring. I love the environment. We are growing so fast and working hard to increase that growth. So far it’s going very well.”

--Bridget O'Sullivan

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Design Within Reach: Free shipping on furniture and accessories

Sketchers: 20% off store wide shoe orders $50 and up

Amazon: 50% off men's & women's watches

Target: Free shipping and 15% off select furniture

Consumer United: Sign up and save $500-$1000 off home mortgage closing costs

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Amazon: PG Tips tea bags 50% off

Buy.com: Canon A590 digital camera $134 shipped

Amazon: AT&T Blackberry 8310 Curve $75

Sears.com: Small appliances and kitchen tools on sale

Consumer United: Sign up and save $500-$1000 off home mortgage closing costs

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

American Eagle: BOGO 50% on all jeans and Ts and free shipping until 9/01

Delias: 15% off and free shipping for Labor Day savings

Geeks.com: Up to 80% off Geeks.com Labor Day sale

Musician's Friend: Labor Day clearance sale

Amazon.com: Save up to 65% this Labor Day

Consumer United: Sign up and save $500-$1000 off home mortgage closing costs

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Apple: Buy a Mac, get an iPod touch for free after rebate

Ikea: Up to 50% off Labor Day Sale

Amazon: Up to 50% off High Sierra backpacks and messengers

Arby's: BOGO sandwich coupons

Consumer United: New customers who subscribe to FiOS TV between now and Saturday, Oct. 4 will receive their choice of a year's free use of either a high-definition (HD) digital video recorder (DVR) or an HD Home Media DVR.

Inside Consumer United :: Bridget O'Sullivan

Bridget O'Sullivan joined Consumer United during its infancy in 2007. She works in the marketing department as a communications associate and as a regional blogger for Consumer United Advocate.

Advice from O'Sullivan? "My favorite personal finance advice is to put all of the money you come across into the bank. You'll be more likely to save it because you have to make that extra effort to take it out again."

A strong believer in Consumer United, she notes how the company's membership offers savings on basic services which impacts the group's members where it matters most ... their pocketbooks.

O'Sullivan enjoys reading in her free time and almost always has more than one book open at once which sharpens her writing skills. She likes to paint as well and is a senior at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.

When asked about her time spent at Consumer United, O'Sullivan adds: "It was amazing to watch (the group) all sit down and puzzle out the solutions to the challenges facing Consumer United in its early days. When it all got started, we worked mostly out of one room and used a white board to lay everything out. Now that those plans are in action, it's great to see the return."

Savings 101: Five Ways To Save Today

Business Week quizzed financial advisors for tips on how to reduce expenses while boosting savings. Here's our take on the savings tips:

1. Cut Utility Bills
Turn off air conditioning, lower the thermostat when possible, turn off lights and buy efficient light bulbs.

2. Cut Back on Eating Out
Bring a bagged lunch to school or work. Eating out rarely costs less than eating at home.

3. Cancel your Gym Membership
The benefits of a gym membership are only worthwhile if you go often. Run outside instead, walk in the park, or play an outdoor sport with a friend.

4. Force Yourself to Save
Trick yourself into saving more. Setup automatic deposits every month from checking to savings and investment accounts. Over time, increase your automatic savings rate.

5. Take an Off-Season Vacation
Luxury Vacation condos can cost dramatically less during the off season. Go camping, stay with friends or visit a low cost location.

Check back tomorrow. We'll roll out five new savings tips each day for the remainder of the week.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

American Eagle: All jeans buy one get one 50% off

REI: Labor Day clearance--up to 30% off clothing

Office Depot: $120 rebate and free shipping on Acer Extensa widescreen laptop

Newegg.com: $50 off and free shipping on Canon ZR900 digital camcorder

Consumer United: Sign up and save $500-$1000 off home mortgage closing costs

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Apple: $1000 off refurbished MacBook Pros and iMacs

Textbooks.com: Savings and free shipping

EMS: Save up to 40% off

Fannie May: 50% off cheese cakes

Consumer United: Sign up with our new home security service provider, Brinks, and get free installation on Brinks Home Security standard system. This is a $199 savings off their standard offer. Please say you're a Consumer United member and reference the promo code CCP# 28621. Click here to learn more.