Israeli Families Save Thousands Annually With Just Five Phone Calls to Service Providers

The rising cost of living in Israel has left many families struggling to make ends meet. A recent investigation revealed that by making just five phone calls to key monthly service providers, electricity, gas, internet, mobile phone, and insurance, families can save thousands of shekels annually. The process involves researching competitive offers, comparing plans, and negotiating better rates, especially in sectors like electricity where competition has recently increased.

The study featured two families as examples. The Motzafi family from Beersheba, with four young children, managed to save about 300 shekels per month, totaling 3,600 shekels a year. They switched to a competitor offering up to 21% discount on electricity, reduced their mobile phone bill from 110 to 65.90 shekels for three lines, lowered internet costs from 125 to 91 shekels, cut insurance expenses by 30%, and negotiated a better gas price by leveraging collective bargaining in their building.

The Shemesh family from Hod Hasharon, initially confident they had no room to save, discovered significant reductions after reviewing their bills. They cut electricity costs by 150 shekels monthly by shifting heavy usage to discounted nighttime hours, reduced internet fees from 164 to 115 shekels, and halved their mobile phone bill for six lines from 209 to 100 shekels. The biggest savings came from insurance, where a consultation revealed they could lower payments by over 1,000 shekels monthly, including life insurance premiums dropping from 2,417 to 1,418 shekels.

The key takeaway is that consumer loyalty to large providers often stems from convenience and fear of poor service, but this hesitation costs families substantial money. With minimal effort, just a few phone calls and some research, families can significantly reduce their monthly expenses. The report encourages consumers to prioritize their bank accounts over brand loyalty and to actively seek better deals.