Everyone seems to want to save money these days. And with inflation exceeding the median rise in income, who can blame folks for wanting to save a few dollars?

When was the last time you sat down and studied a copy of your cell phone Bill or truly read your entire rental agreement? With the advent of online bill pay, many people don’t even bother to look at their bill before submitting an online payment, and those who have set up auto-payments may never see a bill at all. But failing to scrutinize at least one printed copy of a regular bill can cost you hundreds, if not thousands, per year.

1. Read Insurance Policies Carefully

One type of document that should always receive scrutiny is a copy of your insurance policy for each type of coverage you have: auto, home, renter’s, health, etc. This is particularly important when it comes to property and casualty insurance such as homeowner’s insurance and your auto policy.

Why? Well, many Americans choose to pay these bills monthly, instead of Paying the full amount as it comes due every six months. Most also incorrectly assume there is no cost for splitting their bills up month by month instead of paying up front. But this habit can be costing you. Not only do many insurers offer discounts for paying in full — some insurance companies opt to treat monthly payments as if they are extending you Credit. You may be paying up to 15 percent interest for the year just for paying your policy monthly, instead of all at once.

2. Check Your Credit Card Fees and Rewards

After you’ve checked your insurance company’s fine print, you’ll want to move on to taking a good hard look at the payment arrangements offered by your credit card and lending companies, including all the requisite legal disclosures. Many credit cards, for example, offer limited-time 0 percent interest deals to get you to sign with them, then charge you outrageous rates down the line. Use caution, and protect yourself from this type of bait-and-switch by paying your bill in full before the 0 percent interest deal evaporates.

3. Read Your Rental Agreement

Whether you’re renting a hot new studio apartment or renting equipment to make the move or to do a job, you want to be certain to read all rental contracts carefully. Many residential rental leases, for example, charge you by the day if you are late on your payment, some as many as $25 to $50 per day. Paying even a week late can easily cost you an extra $100+, so make sure you can afford to pay on time. When renting equipment, pay careful attention to the type of coverage you are purchasing to make sure it is adequate to indemnify you from liability if the tool breaks.

4. Save on Electric Power

You may feel at the mercy of your local utility company, and for a good reason: In many municipalities, only one source for public electric and water utilities is available, which creates a de facto monopoly in which consumers have no choice but to pay what the utility charges or go without needed service. However, a dozen states have deregulated the energy industry, and if you are lucky enough to live in one of them, you get to enjoy the boons of competition in the form of lower prices. A little research on the best provider could save you quite a bit annually.

5. Reduce Your Cable Bill

Most areas, except very rural ones, offer a host of ISPs and cable providers, meaning consumers get at least some choice. There are also a host of other entertainment choices such as Netflix and Amazon Prime that charge a lower monthly fee to access their movie and show collections. It is well worth your time to do a little shopping before signing a cable contract. Also, keep an eye on those bills. While cable companies are largely justified in their fees, catching fees they overly inflated in error could put some money back in your pocket.

6. Check With Your Cell Phone Carrier

Are you paying too much for cell phone service? In this area, consumers have a lot of choice, so it is good to do your research. Already in a contract? Companies like Sprint offer help pay off your old contract so you can switch sooner. Don’t need a phone with all the bells and whistles, but want something to take in your car in case of breakdown? Companies such as Cricket, Tracphone, and Jitterbug offer phones with minimal features for very low monthly rates.

7. Leasing or Buying a Vehicle

Got good, or at least decent, credit? Make sure you negotiate when buying a new car. If your credit score is 781 or above, you should receive super-prime interest rates, the lowest around. Credit not so hot? Consider leasing a car instead of buying. You’ll be able to drive a much nicer car than what you could perhaps afford with traditional financing, and the lower lease rates will help you rebuild your credit.

Reading through the legalese can be a hassle, and seeing all the fees associated with your regular bills can be stressful. However, with a little due diligence, you can save yourself quite a bit of money.

Scott Huntington is a writer from central Pennsylvania. He enjoys working on his home and garden with his wife and 2 kids. Follow him on Twitter @SMHuntington