Dial for Dollars and Save a Bundle

Most people don't realize that thousands of dollars a year in savings are a few phone calls away.

Before you begin slashing your budget or looking for a second job to weather the economic slump, pick up the phone and make nine calls to make sure you are getting the best value for your money.

Credit card company: If you have credit cards that carry a monthly balance, ask your credit card company for a better interest rate. It may seem strange that a company would reduce your interest rate simply by you asking, but if you are a good customer, they often will. ...