Analyzed URL
https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/utility-bills-script
AI-Ready Score
58
/ D
Poor
out of 100
Token Savings
HTML tokens
299.375
Markdown tokens
452
Savings
100%
Score Breakdown
Semantic HTML
73/100
Content Efficiency
51/100
AI Discoverability
25/100
Structured Data
100/100
Accessibility
60/100
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Your page has a low ratio of actual content to total HTML. Much of the page weight is markup, scripts, or styles rather than content.
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Your site doesn't support Markdown for Agents. This Cloudflare standard lets AI agents request content in markdown format, reducing token usage by ~80%.
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Create a /sitemap.xml listing all your public pages. Most CMS platforms can generate this automatically.
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Add descriptive alt attributes to all images. Describe what the image shows, not just 'image' or 'photo'. For decorative images, use alt="" (empty).
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An initial draft of this script was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors. If you’re looking to lower a utility bill, calling a customer service representative can help. (Look for this number on your bill or company website.) You could potentially get a lower bill, or, more likely, find ways to cut costs through rebates and assistance programs. Or you may make charges more predictable and easier to plan for with an alternative payment plan. ## Your script for finding ways to save The script below will help you ask about these opportunities and make your case. When you call, you may have to request to an automated operator that you “speak to a representative” a few times. When you connect with a real person, aim to be kind, but firm. Find more guidance, like how to prepare for a successful call, below the script. ### Introduce yourself "Hi, my name is \[Your Name\], and I’m a customer with \[Utility Company\]. I’d like to see if we can find way for me to save money." ### Verify account information "My account number is \[Account Number\], if you'd like to verify my account details." ### Explain the issue "Given my budget and other expenses, I’m finding it difficult to manage these costs. I’d like to explore if there’s a way to negotiate a lower bill or monthly payment or otherwise save me money." ### Make your request At this point, focus on cost-saving opportunities you’ve researched. (See our guidance for how to do this research below the script.). Or highlight your specific situation, or ask about alternative options that can help. Consider these four tactics, if applicable: Highlight loyalty and payment history "I’ve been a loyal customer for \[number of years\] and have always paid on time. Is there any discount or loyalty program for long-term customers that I could benefit from?" Keep reading Log in or create a free NerdWallet account for the rest of the script and guidance. 
This Script May Help You Save on Utilities - NerdWallet [Skip to content](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/utility-bills-script#main)[](https://www.nerdwallet.com/)   Search  [Sign In](https://www.nerdwallet.com/api/nts/v1/login?redirectTo=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nerdwallet.com&initialScreen=signin)[JoinSign Up](https://www.nerdwallet.com/api/nts/v1/login?redirectTo=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nerdwallet.com&initialScreen=signup)   My NerdWallet  Advertiser disclosure ### You're our first priority. Every time. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives. So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that appear on our site. This compensation helps us provide tools and services - like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies. However, these factors **do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings**, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. [Here is a list of our partners](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/our-partners). # This Script May Help You Save on Utilities  Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of [our partners](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/our-partners) and [here's how we make money](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/advertiser-disclosure). Published Nov 8, 2024 1:35 p.m. PST · 7 min read Fact Checked How is this page expert verified? NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible. [More on our editorial rigor](https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/nerdwallet-editorial-guidelines) [  ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen) Written by Laura McMullen [  ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen) [Laura McMullen](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen) Editor & Content Strategist [](https://twitter.com/lauraemcmullen)[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraemcmullen/) --- 10 years of experience Expertise - Personal finance - financial news - student loans Laura McMullen assigns and edits content related to personal loans and student loans. She previously edited money news content. Before then, Laura was a senior writer at NerdWallet and covered saving, making and budgeting money; she also contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press. Before joining NerdWallet in 2015, Laura worked for U.S. News & World Report, where she wrote and edited content related to careers, wellness and education and also contributed to the company's rankings projects. Before working at U.S. News & World Report, Laura interned at Vice Media and studied journalism, history and Arabic at Ohio University. Laura lives in Washington, D.C. Published in  Editor & Content Strategist + more [  ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/pamela-de-la-fuente) Edited by Pamela de la Fuente [  ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/pamela-de-la-fuente) [Pamela de la Fuente](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/pamela-de-la-fuente) Managing Editor [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-de-la-fuente/) --- 23 years of experience Expertise - Personal Finance - Budgeting - Taxes - Retirement - Underrepresented communities Pamela de la Fuente is a managing editor of NerdWallet's personal finance content. She leads budgeting, money-making, consumer credit and and debt coverage. Ask her and her talented team about why credit scores matter, how to save money on your grocery bill, finding the right side hustle, how to protect your identity for free and more. Previously, she led taxes and retirement coverage at NerdWallet. Pamela joined NerdWallet after working at companies including Hallmark Cards, Sprint Corp. and The Kansas City Star. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years. Pamela is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all. She is a graduate of the Maynard Institute's Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists' President's Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet's Nerds of Color employee resource group. Managing Editor + more [  ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet) Co-written by AI-Assisted NerdWallet [  ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet) [AI-Assisted NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet) Writer --- An initial draft of this article was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors. Writer + more SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer. An initial draft of this script was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors. If you’re looking to lower a utility bill, calling a customer service representative can help. (Look for this number on your bill or company website.) You could potentially get a lower bill, or, more likely, find ways to cut costs through rebates and assistance programs. Or you may make charges more predictable and easier to plan for with an alternative payment plan. ## Your script for finding ways to save The script below will help you ask about these opportunities and make your case. When you call, you may have to request to an automated operator that you “speak to a representative” a few times. When you connect with a real person, aim to be kind, but firm. Find more guidance, like how to prepare for a successful call, below the script. ### Introduce yourself "Hi, my name is \[Your Name\], and I’m a customer with \[Utility Company\]. I’d like to see if we can find way for me to save money." ### Verify account information "My account number is \[Account Number\], if you'd like to verify my account details." ### Explain the issue "Given my budget and other expenses, I’m finding it difficult to manage these costs. I’d like to explore if there’s a way to negotiate a lower bill or monthly payment or otherwise save me money." ### Make your request At this point, focus on cost-saving opportunities you’ve researched. (See our guidance for how to do this research below the script.). Or highlight your specific situation, or ask about alternative options that can help. Consider these four tactics, if applicable: Highlight loyalty and payment history "I’ve been a loyal customer for \[number of years\] and have always paid on time. Is there any discount or loyalty program for long-term customers that I could benefit from?" Keep reading Log in or create a free NerdWallet account for the rest of the script and guidance. [LOG IN](https://www.nerdwallet.com/)  **Article sources Article sources** NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our [editorial guidelines.](https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/nerdwallet-editorial-guidelines) Back to top About the authors [](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen) [Laura McMullen](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen) Laura writes about managing money for NerdWallet. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other outlets. [See full bio.](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen) [](https://twitter.com/lauraemcmullen)[](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#472b2a242a322b2b2229072922352330262b2b22336924282a)[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraemcmullen/) [](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet) [AI-Assisted NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet) An initial draft of this article was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors. [See full bio.](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet) [](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f59487819c96999086b59b908791829499999081db969a98) Helpful resources [ How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/pay-off-debt) [ Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/credit-score-ranges-and-how-to-improve) [ How to Budget Money in 5 Steps ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/how-to-budget) [ 28 Proven Ways to Save Money ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/how-to-save-money) More like this [The Financial Glow Up](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/hubs/glowup)[Personal Finance News](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/news)[Making Money](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/hubs/making-money)[Paying Your Bills](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/hubs/paying-your-bills)[Personal Finance](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance) Related articles [  Get Your Free Credit Score  By NerdWallet ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/free-credit-score) [  How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026  2 By Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/pay-off-debt) [  50/30/20 Budget Calculator  2 By Amanda Barroso, Elizabeth Ayoola ](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/nerdwallet-budget-calculator)
Upload this file as /finance/learn/utility-bills-script.md on your server so AI agents can access a clean version of your page. You can also configure Accept: text/markdown content negotiation to serve it automatically.
Generated llms.txt for this single page
# NerdWallet > Calling your utility provider may help you find rebates, discounts and other ways to save. Here's exactly what to say while you're on the call, as well as what to research beforehand. ## Main - [This Script May Help You Save on Utilities](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/utility-bills-script): Calling your utility provider may help you find rebates, discounts and other ways to save. Here's exactly what to say w… - [Company](https://www.nerdwallet.com/company) - [Skip to content](https://www.nerdwallet.com/) - [Explore more credit card resources](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards) - [Best credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best) - [Best credit card bonus offers](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/bonus-offers) - [Best balance transfer credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/balance-transfer) - [Best travel credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/travel) - [Best cash back credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/cash-back) - [Best 0% APR credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/zero-percent) ## Blog - [Today's mortgage news](https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news) ## Legal - [Business legal](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/legal) - [Terms of use](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/terms-of-use) - [Privacy policy](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/privacy-policy)
Full llms.txt requires domain-wide analysis (coming soon)
Upload this file to https://www.nerdwallet.com/llms.txt at the root of your domain. AI agents like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity check this file to understand your site structure.
Semantic HTML
Uses article or main element
(100/100)
Has <main>
Proper heading hierarchy
(100/100)
Clean heading hierarchy
Uses semantic HTML elements
(16/100)
24 semantic elements, 473 divs (ratio: 5%)
Meaningful image alt texts
(56/100)
29/52 images with meaningful alt text
Low div nesting depth
(83/100)
Avg div depth: 6.7, max: 20
Content Efficiency
Good token reduction ratio
(100/100)
100% token reduction (HTML→Markdown)
Good content-to-noise ratio
(0/100)
Content ratio: 0.2% (1986 content chars / 823231 HTML bytes)
Minimal inline styles
(50/100)
29/1661 elements with inline styles (1.7%)
Reasonable page weight
(20/100)
HTML size: 804KB
AI Discoverability
Has llms.txt file
(0/100)
No llms.txt found
Has robots.txt file
(100/100)
robots.txt exists
Robots.txt allows AI bots
(100/100)
All major AI bots allowed
Has sitemap.xml
(0/100)
No sitemap found
Markdown for Agents support
(0/100)
✗ Accept: text/markdown
✗ .md URL
✗ <link> tag
✗ Link header
Has Content-Signal (robots.txt or HTTP headers)
(0/100)
✓ robots.txt
✓ HTTP header
✗ Policy
Structured Data
Has Schema.org / JSON-LD
(100/100)
JSON-LD found: BreadcrumbList, Article, SoftwareApplication
Has Open Graph tags
(100/100)
All OG tags present
Has meta description
(100/100)
Meta description: 183 chars
Has canonical URL
(100/100)
Canonical URL present
Has lang attribute
(100/100)
lang="en"
Accessibility
Content available without JavaScript
(100/100)
Content available without JavaScript
Reasonable page size
(40/100)
Page size: 804KB
Content appears early in HTML
(25/100)
Main content starts at 73% of HTML
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"headline": "This Script May Help You Save on Utilities",
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"markdown": "An initial draft of this script was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors.\n\nIf you’re looking to lower a utility bill, calling a customer service representative can help. (Look for this number on your bill or company website.)\n\nYou could potentially get a lower bill, or, more likely, find ways to cut costs through rebates and assistance programs. Or you may make charges more predictable and easier to plan for with an alternative payment plan.\n\n## Your script for finding ways to save\n\nThe script below will help you ask about these opportunities and make your case. When you call, you may have to request to an automated operator that you “speak to a representative” a few times. When you connect with a real person, aim to be kind, but firm. Find more guidance, like how to prepare for a successful call, below the script.\n\n### Introduce yourself\n\n\"Hi, my name is \\[Your Name\\], and I’m a customer with \\[Utility Company\\]. I’d like to see if we can find way for me to save money.\"\n\n### Verify account information\n\n\"My account number is \\[Account Number\\], if you'd like to verify my account details.\"\n\n### Explain the issue\n\n\"Given my budget and other expenses, I’m finding it difficult to manage these costs. I’d like to explore if there’s a way to negotiate a lower bill or monthly payment or otherwise save me money.\"\n\n### Make your request\n\nAt this point, focus on cost-saving opportunities you’ve researched. (See our guidance for how to do this research below the script.). Or highlight your specific situation, or ask about alternative options that can help.\n\nConsider these four tactics, if applicable:\n\nHighlight loyalty and payment history\n\n\"I’ve been a loyal customer for \\[number of years\\] and have always paid on time. Is there any discount or loyalty program for long-term customers that I could benefit from?\"\n\nKeep reading\n\nLog in or create a free NerdWallet account for the rest of the script and guidance.\n\n\n",
"fullPageMarkdown": "This Script May Help You Save on Utilities - NerdWallet\n\n[Skip to content](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/utility-bills-script#main)[![Nerdwallet 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\"Search\")![Close](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIxOCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxOCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUxMiA1MTIiID48cGF0aCBkPSJNNDA1IDEzN0wyODYgMjU2bDExOSAxMTktMzAgMzAtMTE5LTExOS0xMTkgMTE5LTMwLTMwIDExOS0xMTktMTE5LTExOSAzMC0zMCAxMTkgMTE5IDExOS0xMTl6IiAvPjwvc3ZnPg== \"Close\")\n\nSearch\n\n![Close](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyMiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyMiIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUxMiA1MTIiID48cGF0aCBkPSJNNDA1IDEzN0wyODYgMjU2bDExOSAxMTktMzAgMzAtMTE5LTExOS0xMTkgMTE5LTMwLTMwIDExOS0xMTktMTE5LTExOSAzMC0zMCAxMTkgMTE5IDExOS0xMTl6IiAvPjwvc3ZnPg== \"Close\")\n\n[Sign In](https://www.nerdwallet.com/api/nts/v1/login?redirectTo=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nerdwallet.com&initialScreen=signin)[JoinSign Up](https://www.nerdwallet.com/api/nts/v1/login?redirectTo=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nerdwallet.com&initialScreen=signup)\n\n![Notifications](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%2220%22%20height%3D%2220%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%2016%2016%22%20aria-hidden%3D%22true%22%20fill%3D%22currentcolor%22%20focusable%3D%22false%22%20%3E%3Cpath%20fill-rule%3D%22evenodd%22%20clip-rule%3D%22evenodd%22%20d%3D%22M11.55%207.335c0%201.982.704%202.685%201.145%203.125.037.037.072.071.104.105a.616.616%200%2001.201.438c.004.354-.29.666-.737.666H9.33c0%20.748-.586%201.33-1.32%201.33-.754%200-1.34-.582-1.34-1.33H3.714c-.446%200-.714-.312-.714-.667%200-.145.045-.312.179-.437l.103-.105c.442-.44%201.147-1.143%201.147-3.125%200-1.605%201.205-2.897%202.857-3.23v-.438C7.286%203.313%207.598%203%208%203c.38%200%20.692.313.692.667v.438c1.652.333%202.857%201.625%202.857%203.23zm-7.054%203.334c.468-.563%201.017-1.542%201.01-3.313v-.021C5.506%206.063%206.616%205%208%205c1.362%200%202.5%201.062%202.5%202.334l-.002.02c0%201.772.515%202.751.984%203.314H4.496z%22%20%3E%3C%2Fpath%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E \"Notifications\")\n\n![Close](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyMiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyMiIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUxMiA1MTIiID48cGF0aCBkPSJNNDA1IDEzN0wyODYgMjU2bDExOSAxMTktMzAgMzAtMTE5LTExOS0xMTkgMTE5LTMwLTMwIDExOS0xMTktMTE5LTExOSAzMC0zMCAxMTkgMTE5IDExOS0xMTl6IiAvPjwvc3ZnPg== \"Close\")\n\nMy NerdWallet\n\n![Close](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyMiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyMiIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUxMiA1MTIiID48cGF0aCBkPSJNNDA1IDEzN0wyODYgMjU2bDExOSAxMTktMzAgMzAtMTE5LTExOS0xMTkgMTE5LTMwLTMwIDExOS0xMTktMTE5LTExOSAzMC0zMCAxMTkgMTE5IDExOS0xMTl6IiAvPjwvc3ZnPg== \"Close\")\n\nAdvertiser disclosure\n\n### You're our first priority.\nEvery time.\n\nWe believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives.\n\nSo how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that appear on our site. This compensation helps us provide tools and services - like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.\n\nHowever, these factors **do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings**, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. [Here is a list of our partners](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/our-partners).\n\n# This Script May Help You Save on Utilities\n\n\n\nMany, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of [our partners](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/our-partners) and [here's how we make money](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/advertiser-disclosure).\n\nPublished Nov 8, 2024 1:35 p.m. PST · 7 min read\n\nFact Checked\n\nHow is this page expert verified?\n\nNerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.\n\n[More on our editorial rigor](https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/nerdwallet-editorial-guidelines)\n\n[\n\n\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen)\n\nWritten by Laura McMullen\n\n[\n\n\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen)\n\n[Laura McMullen](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen)\n\nEditor & Content Strategist\n\n[](https://twitter.com/lauraemcmullen)[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraemcmullen/)\n\n---\n\n10 years of experience\n\nExpertise\n\n- Personal finance\n- financial news\n- student loans\n\nLaura McMullen assigns and edits content related to personal loans and student loans. She previously edited money news content. Before then, Laura was a senior writer at NerdWallet and covered saving, making and budgeting money; she also contributed to the \"Millennial Money\" column for The Associated Press. Before joining NerdWallet in 2015, Laura worked for U.S. News & World Report, where she wrote and edited content related to careers, wellness and education and also contributed to the company's rankings projects. Before working at U.S. News & World Report, Laura interned at Vice Media and studied journalism, history and Arabic at Ohio University. Laura lives in Washington, D.C.\n\nPublished in ![The Associated Press](https://cdns3.nerdwallet.com/lending/publication-logos/TheAssociatedPress.webp \"The Associated Press\")![The New York Times](https://cdns3.nerdwallet.com/lending/publication-logos/TheNewYorkTimes.webp \"The New York Times\")![The Washington Post](https://cdns3.nerdwallet.com/lending/publication-logos/TheWashingtonPost.webp \"The Washington Post\")![U.S. News & World Report](https://cdns3.nerdwallet.com/lending/publication-logos/USNewsAndWorldReport.webp \"U.S. News & World Report\")\n\nEditor & Content Strategist\n\n+ more \n\n[\n\n\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/pamela-de-la-fuente)\n\nEdited by Pamela de la Fuente\n\n[\n\n\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/pamela-de-la-fuente)\n\n[Pamela de la Fuente](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/pamela-de-la-fuente)\n\nManaging Editor\n\n[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-de-la-fuente/)\n\n---\n\n23 years of experience\n\nExpertise\n\n- Personal Finance\n- Budgeting\n- Taxes\n- Retirement\n- Underrepresented communities\n\nPamela de la Fuente is a managing editor of NerdWallet's personal finance content. She leads budgeting, money-making, consumer credit and and debt coverage.\n\nAsk her and her talented team about why credit scores matter, how to save money on your grocery bill, finding the right side hustle, how to protect your identity for free and more.\n\nPreviously, she led taxes and retirement coverage at NerdWallet.\n\nPamela joined NerdWallet after working at companies including Hallmark Cards, Sprint Corp. and The Kansas City Star. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years.\n\nPamela is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all.\n\nShe is a graduate of the Maynard Institute's Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists' President's Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet's Nerds of Color employee resource group.\n\nManaging Editor\n\n+ more \n\n[\n\n\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet)\n\nCo-written by AI-Assisted NerdWallet\n\n[\n\n\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet)\n\n[AI-Assisted NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet)\n\nWriter\n\n---\n\nAn initial draft of this article was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors.\n\nWriter\n\n+ more \n\nSOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED\n\nThis page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.\n\nAn initial draft of this script was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors.\n\nIf you’re looking to lower a utility bill, calling a customer service representative can help. (Look for this number on your bill or company website.)\n\nYou could potentially get a lower bill, or, more likely, find ways to cut costs through rebates and assistance programs. Or you may make charges more predictable and easier to plan for with an alternative payment plan.\n\n## Your script for finding ways to save\n\nThe script below will help you ask about these opportunities and make your case. When you call, you may have to request to an automated operator that you “speak to a representative” a few times. When you connect with a real person, aim to be kind, but firm. Find more guidance, like how to prepare for a successful call, below the script.\n\n### Introduce yourself\n\n\"Hi, my name is \\[Your Name\\], and I’m a customer with \\[Utility Company\\]. I’d like to see if we can find way for me to save money.\"\n\n### Verify account information\n\n\"My account number is \\[Account Number\\], if you'd like to verify my account details.\"\n\n### Explain the issue\n\n\"Given my budget and other expenses, I’m finding it difficult to manage these costs. I’d like to explore if there’s a way to negotiate a lower bill or monthly payment or otherwise save me money.\"\n\n### Make your request\n\nAt this point, focus on cost-saving opportunities you’ve researched. (See our guidance for how to do this research below the script.). Or highlight your specific situation, or ask about alternative options that can help.\n\nConsider these four tactics, if applicable:\n\nHighlight loyalty and payment history\n\n\"I’ve been a loyal customer for \\[number of years\\] and have always paid on time. Is there any discount or loyalty program for long-term customers that I could benefit from?\"\n\nKeep reading\n\nLog in or create a free NerdWallet account for the rest of the script and guidance.\n\n[LOG IN](https://www.nerdwallet.com/)\n\n\n\n**Article sources Article sources**\n\nNerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our [editorial guidelines.](https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/nerdwallet-editorial-guidelines)\n\nBack to top\n\nAbout the authors\n\n[![Laura McMullen](https://www.nerdwallet.com/tachyon/2020/12/laura_hs_square.jpg?resize=70%2C70 \"Laura McMullen\")](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen)\n\n[Laura McMullen](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen) Laura writes about managing money for NerdWallet. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other outlets. [See full bio.](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/laura-mcmullen)\n\n[](https://twitter.com/lauraemcmullen)[](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#472b2a242a322b2b2229072922352330262b2b22336924282a)[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraemcmullen/)\n\n[![AI-Assisted NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/tachyon/2019/07/nerdwallet-logo.jpg?resize=70%2C70 \"AI-Assisted NerdWallet\")](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet)\n\n[AI-Assisted NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet) An initial draft of this article was created by NerdWallet using automation technology, then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by NerdWallet’s human writers and editors. [See full bio.](https://www.nerdwallet.com/author/ai-assisted-nerdwallet)\n\n[](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f59487819c96999086b59b908791829499999081db969a98)\n\nHelpful resources\n\n[\n\nHow to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/pay-off-debt)\n\n[\n\nCredit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/credit-score-ranges-and-how-to-improve)\n\n[\n\nHow to Budget Money in 5 Steps\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/how-to-budget)\n\n[\n\n28 Proven Ways to Save Money\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/how-to-save-money)\n\nMore like this\n\n[The Financial Glow Up](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/hubs/glowup)[Personal Finance News](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/news)[Making Money](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/hubs/making-money)[Paying Your Bills](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/hubs/paying-your-bills)[Personal Finance](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance)\n\nRelated articles\n\n[\n\n\n\nGet Your Free Credit Score\n\n\n\nBy NerdWallet\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/free-credit-score)\n\n[\n\n\n\nHow to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026\n\n\n\n2\n\nBy Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/pay-off-debt)\n\n[\n\n\n\n50/30/20 Budget Calculator\n\n\n\n2\n\nBy Amanda Barroso, Elizabeth Ayoola\n\n](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/nerdwallet-budget-calculator)\n",
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"descriptionKey": "rec.add_semantic_elements.description",
"howToKey": "rec.add_semantic_elements.howto",
"effort": "moderate",
"estimatedImpact": 5,
"checkScore": 16,
"checkDetails": "24 semantic elements, 473 divs (ratio: 5%)"
},
{
"id": "reduce_page_size",
"priority": "high",
"category": "accessibility",
"titleKey": "rec.reduce_page_size.title",
"descriptionKey": "rec.reduce_page_size.description",
"howToKey": "rec.reduce_page_size.howto",
"effort": "moderate",
"estimatedImpact": 4,
"checkScore": 40,
"checkDetails": "Page size: 804KB"
},
{
"id": "move_content_earlier",
"priority": "high",
"category": "accessibility",
"titleKey": "rec.move_content_earlier.title",
"descriptionKey": "rec.move_content_earlier.description",
"howToKey": "rec.move_content_earlier.howto",
"effort": "moderate",
"estimatedImpact": 4,
"checkScore": 25,
"checkDetails": "Main content starts at 73% of HTML"
},
{
"id": "reduce_page_weight",
"priority": "high",
"category": "contentEfficiency",
"titleKey": "rec.reduce_page_weight.title",
"descriptionKey": "rec.reduce_page_weight.description",
"howToKey": "rec.reduce_page_weight.howto",
"effort": "significant",
"estimatedImpact": 4,
"checkScore": 20,
"checkDetails": "HTML size: 804KB"
},
{
"id": "improve_alt_texts",
"priority": "medium",
"category": "semanticHtml",
"titleKey": "rec.improve_alt_texts.title",
"descriptionKey": "rec.improve_alt_texts.description",
"howToKey": "rec.improve_alt_texts.howto",
"effort": "moderate",
"estimatedImpact": 4,
"checkScore": 56,
"checkDetails": "29/52 images with meaningful alt text"
}
],
"llmsTxtPreview": "# NerdWallet\n\n> Calling your utility provider may help you find rebates, discounts and other ways to save. Here's exactly what to say while you're on the call, as well as what to research beforehand.\n\n## Main\n- [This Script May Help You Save on Utilities](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/utility-bills-script): Calling your utility provider may help you find rebates, discounts and other ways to save. Here's exactly what to say w…\n- [Company](https://www.nerdwallet.com/company)\n- [Skip to content](https://www.nerdwallet.com/)\n- [Explore more credit card resources](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards)\n- [Best credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best)\n- [Best credit card bonus offers](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/bonus-offers)\n- [Best balance transfer credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/balance-transfer)\n- [Best travel credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/travel)\n- [Best cash back credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/cash-back)\n- [Best 0% APR credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/zero-percent)\n\n## Blog\n- [Today's mortgage news](https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news)\n\n## Legal\n- [Business legal](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/legal)\n- [Terms of use](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/terms-of-use)\n- [Privacy policy](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/privacy-policy)\n\n",
"llmsTxtExisting": null,
"snippets": [
{
"id": "add_llms_txt",
"title": "Create /llms.txt",
"description": "Upload this file to your web root. It tells AI agents what your site is about and which pages matter.",
"language": "markdown",
"code": "# NerdWallet\n\n> Calling your utility provider may help you find rebates, discounts and other ways to save. Here's exactly what to say while you're on the call, as well as what to research beforehand.\n\n## Main\n- [This Script May Help You Save on Utilities](https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/utility-bills-script): Calling your utility provider may help you find rebates, discounts and other ways to save. Here's exactly what to say w…\n- [Company](https://www.nerdwallet.com/company)\n- [Skip to content](https://www.nerdwallet.com/)\n- [Explore more credit card resources](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards)\n- [Best credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best)\n- [Best credit card bonus offers](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/bonus-offers)\n- [Best balance transfer credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/balance-transfer)\n- [Best travel credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/travel)\n- [Best cash back credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/cash-back)\n- [Best 0% APR credit cards](https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/zero-percent)\n\n## Blog\n- [Today's mortgage news](https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news)\n\n## Legal\n- [Business legal](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/legal)\n- [Terms of use](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/terms-of-use)\n- [Privacy policy](https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/privacy-policy)\n\n",
"filename": "/llms.txt"
},
{
"id": "add_sitemap",
"title": "Create /sitemap.xml",
"description": "A sitemap helps AI agents discover all your pages. Most CMS platforms generate one automatically.",
"language": "xml",
"code": "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?>\n<urlset xmlns=\"http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9\">\n <url>\n <loc>https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/utility-bills-script</loc>\n <lastmod>2026-02-18</lastmod>\n </url>\n</urlset>",
"filename": "/sitemap.xml"
},
{
"id": "add_content_signals",
"title": "Add Content-Signal directives",
"description": "Content-Signal tells AI agents how they may use your content. The recommended location is robots.txt, but you can also add it as an HTTP header.",
"language": "txt",
"code": "# robots.txt (recommended, canonical location):\nUser-agent: *\nContent-Signal: search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no\n\n# Nginx — add to server block (optional, for HTTP header):\n# add_header Content-Signal \"search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no\" always;\n\n# Apache — add to .htaccess (optional, for HTTP header):\n# Header set Content-Signal \"search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no\"",
"filename": "/robots.txt"
},
{
"id": "add_markdown_negotiation",
"title": "Support Markdown for Agents",
"description": "Implement one or more of the 4 Markdown for Agents mechanisms to let AI agents request content in markdown format.",
"language": "html",
"code": "<!-- 1. Content negotiation: respond to Accept: text/markdown -->\n<!-- In your server/framework, check the Accept header and return markdown -->\n<!-- with Content-Type: text/markdown -->\n\n<!-- 2. Serve .md URLs (e.g., /about.md alongside /about) -->\n<!-- Generate static .md files or handle .md routes in your app -->\n\n<!-- 3. Add <link> tag in your HTML <head>: -->\n<link rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\" href=\"/page.md\">\n\n<!-- 4. Add Link HTTP header on HTML responses: -->\n<!-- Link: </page.md>; rel=\"alternate\"; type=\"text/markdown\" -->\n\n<!-- Best practice: include Vary: Accept and X-Markdown-Tokens headers -->\n<!-- on markdown responses -->",
"filename": "<head> + server config"
}
]
}Use our API to get this programmatically (coming soon)
This JSON is for internal use — unlike the Markdown and llms.txt files, it's not meant to be uploaded to your site. Save it as a baseline to track your score over time, share it with your dev team, or integrate it into your CI/CD pipeline.
Coming soon: Full Domain Analysis
Crawl your entire domain, generate llms.txt, and monitor your AI-readiness score over time. Join the waitlist to be notified.
You're on the list! We'll notify you when it launches.