This week, the plights of Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois and former Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson have made this old adage ring true: cheaters never win and winners never cheat.

But there are times when you can capitalize on being an inside (wo)man without breaking the law — especially when it comes to your personal finances. Here are three tips on how to use your personal finance connections to make some extra cash without going to jail:

1.)    Bribe your insurance agent with more business: Often times insurance agents will lower your rates if you offer to open up all of your insurance policies with them. So dangle you life, home and car in front of their noses and see what they'll give you. Find more tips on how to get deals on insurance in our guide.

2.)    Politely threaten your credit card company: Credit card companies will usually lower your interest rate or take off a late fee if you threaten to take your business elsewhere. Marketwatch offers tips on how to make this call here.

3.)    Get paid for bringing others into the inner circle: Some companies will reward you for referring customers to them. For example, ING Direct's Refer a Friend program pays its customers $10 every time they refer a new customer. (Plus, the new customer collects $25 when they sign up.)

Thing is, providers usually require the account holder to handle these changes so you'll have to do your own dirty work.

Have more suggestions? Drop them in our comment section.

-- Kristen Sullivan