Can’t cut more spending? These companies say cut your bills instead

Every year, Julia Zhu’s husband would collect information on home values in their area, including their own appraisals, receipts and much more, then take a day off work to go argue at city offices why their property tax should be lower.
That all changed when she received a letter in the mail from Ownwell describing how the company could take over that task from her husband. She just had to register online, submit basic information, and Ownwell would do the rest. Only if the company saved them money would Ownwell get paid a percentage of the amount that it saved the Zhus. Otherwise, Ownwell would get paid nothing, so there was nothing to lose.
“Last year, we saved about $160 in property tax” after Ownwell took its cut of the savings, said Zhu, 64, who lives in Houston. She was so satisfied, she hired Ownwell again. “This year, we saved $260.”
Property tax is only one area where Ownwell saves customers money. It recently expanded into everyday bills, competing with companies like Rocket Money and Experian, which also offer bill negotiating services. The types of bills each company can help Americans negotiate may vary slightly, but the intent is the same: help Americans save money, especially at a time when millions of people are struggling with soaring prices.
More than 3 in 4 Americans said inflation and the economy make it more difficult to pay their bills, and 40% are less able to cover their monthly bills than a year ago, according to a LendingTree survey of more than 2,040 adults Sept. 3-5.
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“Many people may not even realize that they have the power to negotiate bills or simply don’t have the time or expertise to do it,” said Yahya Mokhtarzada, co-founder and chief revenue officer of Rocket Money. “Especially during a time where inflation and rising costs has impacted so many people, this service can offer significant financial relief and ultimately improve the user’s overall financial wellbeing.”
Once someone registers and uploads their bills, the companies start negotiations with service providers or agencies for lower prices. Bills they negotiate include cable, internet, cellphone and home security services.
Rocket said it can even negotiate gym memberships and coach you through the steps to get refunds on late and overdraft fees.
Ownwell also offers mortgage monitoring and in some areas, property tax help, which is how it began.
“There was an inequity that a billionaire could reduce his property taxes and no one else could because it was so cost-prohibitive” because the process often requires a lawyer to help, said Joseph Noor, Ownwell cofounder and chief technology officer. “We wanted to create a solution to use software to service anyone, whether you’re in a mobile home or mansion.”
Rocket and Ownwell also said they’ll monitor insurance rates and alert you if there’s an opportunity to save money. They’ll also keep an eye on bills they’ve negotiated for you as contracts expire or new offers arise so you don’t have to, they said.
“With the client’s permission, we will renegotiate on their behalf when the contract renewal date approaches,” Mokhtarzada said.
Because services vary slightly by company and geography, customers should check each company for what it offers in their location.
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Rocket Money and Experian include bill negotiations for their premium subscribers, so there’s no additional up-front costs for the service other than the monthly subscription they’re already paying. Rocket Money premium monthly subscriptions range between $6 and $12, while Experian charges $24.99.
Ownwell doesn’t require any subscription to use its service.
If successful, Ownwell and Rocket Money take a percentage of the savings. Ownwell’s cut is usually 25% to 35%, and Rocket Money’s is 30% to 60%, the companies said. Experian said its customers receive 100% of any savings it wins.
Rocket Money’s average savings range from 10% to 20% per bill, Mokhtarzada said. The company didn’t disclose its success rate but said it has helped millions of Americans save money.
Ownwell estimates it saves consumers on average $250 a year, with an 86% success rate.
Experian said 81% of its negotiations resulted in savings.
Americans can monitor and negotiate each bill themselves, but it can be time-consuming and confusing. Even former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams struggled to negotiate his own medical bill.
“I’m a Realtor, and a lot of times before, my clients asked me to provide market data to help them go to the county to do own their own property tax protection,” she said. “I have to provide all the reports for them to compare. After this (using Ownwell), I find it very easy to do to get a tax reduction. So now, I refer a lot of my clients.”
Zhu, who moved to the U.S. from China in 1993, added that for non-native English speakers like herself, these services are even more beneficial.
“Some people don’t know English much,” she said. “This is very easy to use for them, and they get savings very quickly.”
Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and  subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.