Start With the “Big 5” Bills That Are Most Likely to Overcharge
These industries are the worst offenders when it comes to hidden fees, loyalty penalties, and quiet price hikes.
Cable/Internet Providers: Plans creep up every 6–12 months. You’ll often find:
“Broadcast fees”
“Regional sports fees”
Rental fees for equipment you forgot you’re paying for
Promotional discounts that vanished without warning
Cell Phone Carriers: Seniors are commonly on outdated plans costing far more than current options.
Medical Billing & Pharmacy Costs: Double billing, coding errors, and overpriced prescriptions are more common than you’d think.
Utility Companies
Look especially for:
Estimated readings instead of actual
Service fees that look inconsistent
Seasonal charges that don’t match usage
These five categories account for 80% of the overcharges people never catch.
Look for the Red Flags of “Quiet Overcharging”
If you see any of these, something’s off:
Your bill goes up, but your usage stays the same
You’re paying for features you don’t use
You see new “mystery charges”.
You’re billed for something you canceled
You’re on a 10-year-old plan (companies never update you to cheaper options automatically)
You haven’t negotiated your rate in over a year
The golden rule: If you haven’t checked it, it’s probably costing you too much.
Compare Your Current Cost to Current Offers
This is the fastest way to catch overcharging.
Go to the company website as if you’re a new customer and check the rates.
Ask yourself:
Is the new customer price lower than what I’m paying?
Are there new bundles or discounts I don’t have?
Do they offer senior discounts I wasn’t given?
If the answer is yes, you’re overpaying.
Audit Your Subscriptions — the Silent Budget Killer
The average older adult has 8–12 subscriptions, but only uses about half.
Look out for:
Streaming services
Cloud storage
Magazines/newspapers
Grocery delivery
Pharmacy or wellness memberships
Fitness apps
Language or learning apps
Antivirus software
If you haven’t used it in 30–60 days, cancel it.
Check for “Senior Price Traps” at Stores and Restaurants
Many places offer senior discounts, but you must ask.
Others quietly raise prices on certain packages and assume you won’t compare.
Audit these categories:
Grocery loyalty card prices
Restaurant “specials” that aren’t actually cheaper
Pharmacy pricing (generic vs brand)
In-store vs online prices
Membership clubs—are you actually using them?
Crazy tip: Seniors pay more when businesses assume convenience over comparison.
Show them you’re sharper than they think.
Review Your Medical Bills for Errors
An estimated 60% of medical bills contain mistakes—and seniors get hit the hardest.
Look for:
Duplicate charges
Services not received
Wrong coding
Out-of-network fees applied incorrectly
Medications are charged at brand cost when you get the generic
If something looks suspicious, ask for an itemized bill—this alone often leads to corrections.
Perform the 3-Minute “Overcharge Test” on Any Bill
Ask three questions:
Has the price gone up? If yes, why? If there’s no clear explanation, call.
Am I paying for something I don’t use? If yes, remove it.
Would a new customer get a better deal? If yes, renegotiate.
Most bills fail at least one question—and that means you’re likely being overcharged
Call and Negotiate — It Works More Often Than You Think
Companies don’t want to lose paying customers.
What to say:
“My bill went up. I need you to help me bring it back down or match current offers.”
“What loyalty, senior, or promotional discounts can you apply today?”
“Can you remove any fees? I see new ones I don’t recognize.”
Most reps are trained to offer immediate savings.
Savings range: $10–$60 per month per bill—and that adds up fast.
Keep a “Price Log” for Anything You Pay Monthly
This is a simple but powerful tool.
Track:
Current price
Last increase
What plan are you on
Notes on promotions
Once you see the patterns, overcharging becomes obvious.
The Rule of Thumb
If you don’t regularly review a bill, someone else is regularly taking advantage of that.
A Senior’s Quick Audit isn’t about being cynical. It’s about being informed, confident, and proactive.
You’ve spent decades earning your money. There’s no reason to let companies chip away at it through confusion and quiet increases.
With care,
Mike Bridges
Founder, The O55 Report