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While pundits and economists worry about Wall Street’s well-being, Americans worry about losing their jobs, paying their bills, and the health of the planet. The capitalist marketplace promotes the exploitation of people and natural resources as cheap fixes. But you don’t have to abandon your values to save a buck. Welcome to the People’s Marketplace.

By Martina Steiner

Do you want a better deal on your cable bill? How about your cell phone or Internet service? You can probably get one if you just call your company and ask.

Ok, it’s not quite that easy, but it’s easier than you think. You’ll have to gear-up to negotiate, and maybe do a little prep work.

First, know your bill. What services are you paying for now that you don’t need? For instance, if you have cell phone insurance at $6.99 month, you are paying $83.99 a year for something you’ll probably never use. Cut it. If you want to negotiate a better price for Internet service, the tech magazine, Wired, at www.wired.com, suggests knowing what speed you have, how much bandwidth you get, etc. This will give you a little more confidence once you’re on the phone and different options are being offered to you.

Once you’re ready to make the call, do it when you have plenty of time, and when you’re feeling friendly. Assume that the call will take at least thirty minutes. Avoid negotiating on a bad day and unleashing all of your money-related stress on the customer service representative. Trust me, yelling at the small-fry employee at Verizon will only result in an “accidentally” discounted call, not a cheaper package.

Whether or not you choose to prepare, research, or get into your zen place first, the most important thing is – make the call, because it often works. See, most companies don’t love you, it’s true, but they don’t want to lose your business. If you make the call and all your charm and powers of persuasion are not working on whomever you’re talking to, just hang-up, call again and give it another try with someone new.

While there is nothing noble about having a cell phone, Internet service, or cable TV, there is nothing wrong with it either. Our current system does not allow for much competition, so your only service provider options are going to be big corporations that you’d rather not give your money to. But there is no mom-and-pop cell phone service. If that makes you mad, then start supporting advocacy organizations that push for industry regulations that foster competition and better business practices. Check-out the group Free Press at www.freepress.net. Free Press is leading the fight for internet-neutrality, and it advocates for better policy around cable TV, and public access to information.

So, stand up for yourself, and your wallet, and get a better deal. Try it, and stretch your dollar to meet your values. Together, we can take back the economy.