7 News Features: Simple Ways To Save

WSVN--From Houdini to Copperfield, there's one trick that's never been solved: the disappearing dollar.

But you don't have to be a master magician to pull some instant savings out of your hat.

Take calling 4-1-1. It can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $3.50.

However, if you look closely, there's definitely an ace in the deck. 1-800-free-411.

The only catch, you may have to listen to an ad while you wait.

Speaking of phone calls, you never know what will happen when you pick a long distance carrier.

To avoid any big surprise, try a new internet service called Skype.

David Quain: "It enables you to make phone calls for free."

All you have to do is buy the equipment for 20 dollars and you can talk to anyone anywhere for as long as you want.

David Quain: "The call quality is excellent. It's better than a cell phone call. It's better than a lot of landline calls."

When you go shopping, we know how hard it can be to find the lowest prices.

No matter where you look, there's always a better bargain.

Tom Haynes: "So next time you go to the store, send a text message to 610-Smarter with the product's name and model number. In about a minute, Smarter.com will send you the lowest price online."

And as summer approaches, we know what our energy bills will do to our wallets.

But you can put the wands away and instead join FPL's on-call program.

By signing up, a technician will install a box that lets FPL randomly turn off major appliances for 15 minutes a day to conserve energy.

"For the air conditioner, you can save up to $83 a year in credits, for the pool pump, you can save $36 year in credit, and for the water heater, you can save $18 a year in credit."

Best of all, anybody can participate, it's easy, and...

"Its barely noticeable."

Finally, no slight of hand needed if you want to pay less at the pump.

Just make sure to fill up at night because gas pumped in lower temperatures tends to last longer.

And who knows, maybe these simple ways to save will make money appear for you -- just like magic.

One more gas tip: try buying fuel from the busier stations, because they have to refill regularly, their gas is fresher and will last longer.

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