During an economic downturn, we are all looking for ways to save money. Cell phones is one area of our budget that absorbs tons of money – cell phone plans can cost as much as $50-$100 per month! In fact, new data released by Harris Interactive reveals that 15% of Americans are canceling (or changing) their cell phone plan to save money – another 17% are thinking about doing the same. While we admire the boldness and determination required to make a tough decision, like canceling your cell phone (cell phones have become a staple gadget these days!), we’ve compiled some of the most effective ways to reduce your cell phone bill, so you don’t have to cancel it:
1. Get Rid of the Smartphone! The iPhone, Blackberry, Droid – these phones have completely changed the cell phone industry. They’re great phones, but not so great for your wallet. In addition to the high price to buy the phone, there’s a data plan, which is a monthly fee of usually $30-$40, which is required to activate the Internet and email service on the phone. Unless you need Internet and email on your phone for business or for some other necessity, get rid of your smartphone! Buying one of these fancy phones “because it’s cool” or to “impress your friends” is not a good enough excuse! You can buy a very reliable phone for under $50 at the major carriers.
2. Text Messages: It seems like we text more than we talk! But text messaging costs money – sometimes $0.10 per text. If you insist on text messaging, purchase a plan that includes several hundred texts per month – it should be around $5 per month. I canceled my text messaging plan months ago, and I’m still here!
3. Reduce Your Monthly Minutes: Most cell phone plans have free nights and weekends – meaning minutes are not used during this time – this is a great time to make most of your calls. Also, consider lowering the number of minutes allotted in your monthly plan – this will reduce your bill. Use Billshrink.com – after answering some questions about how much you use your cell phone, the website searches for the cheapest cell phone plan among the major carriers!
4. Call Within Networks: Most of the major cell phone plans do not utilize minutes if you make phone calls to other people who have the same provider as you. If you have Verizon Wireless and you call someone else who also has Verizon Wireless, no minutes will be used, allowing you to lower the amount of monthly minutes, which will save you money!
5. Make a Phone Call…To The Phone Company! Yeah, call up and ask for a better price or if there is any way to receive a discount. There’s lots of competition and cell phone providers don’t want to lose customers. Also, be sure to check your cell phone statement to make sure there are no errors.
For ways to save money on using your iPhone, click here! Know of any other ways to save money on cell phones? Post your comments below!
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I went to a prepaid service and I'm saving a bunch of cash. I know I might not have to “coolest” phone out there, but I can still talk and text…I have my laptop for the internet. I'm using the Net10 service and I know exactly what I'm paying for every month, even without a contract. Maybe when I start making enough to pay for the bill I'll get an iPhone.
I have had to move and leave my friends and family so contacting them was not a happy medium until I found a offer from Net10 which allows me to select unlimited talk for the month for $50.00. The cool thing is I can speak for as long as I wish for that month.
Prepaid cell phones is a great way to save money. I switched to Tracfone where I got a great phone for about $10 and my service averages less than $7 a month when I buy a $20 airtime card, which provides me 60 minutes of airtime and three months of service. Plus, Tracfone gives people the safety and security of a wireless phone without the problems of a contract and monthly fees.
A great way to save money on your cell phone plan is to go prepaid. Straight talk has put over $30 a month back in my pocket each month. I went to my local Walmart and found out about there $45 a month unlimited calls and texts plan. I was able to get my phone right there and then and best thing was, I didn’t have to sign a contract!
I have heard great things about straight talk and I really like the idea of an unlimited plan for only $45 a month. I am a heavy texter though, so is there a specific straight talk phone you recommend I get?
@ Sammy, I have heard good things about straight talk. Do you know if they have smart phones that you can buy with their unlimited plan?
i heard great thing about straight talk too! and I’m so tired of trying to cut my cellphone bill. it’s been a strugle, i don’t knw what else to do, i avoid texting like the plague, i keep my conversations short, when im home i use skype but still, i can’t make it lower than 65 and really, what’s the point of having acellphone and being a slave of the bill and the contract…i’m tired. i gotta check out that Straight Talk thingy pronto!
you know I see how much people are trying to save money not only on cellphones but on everything! This are hard times, and it’s very important to cut back on expenses and open a savings account for a rainy day. I did switche to a prepaid and also while at it, I got my grandma a tracfone at Kmart with that service they have for seniors, only paid 14.99 for it and she can afford it, it starts as low as 7 dollars a month, it’s a great option for retired people and ederly that have to cut even more on those monthly expenses.
Everybody talk about Straight Talk and how awsome it is and how affordable, now 45 a month seems just perfect and for unlimited, it is really cool. Anybody knows if there is any contract at all, you say no contract but are you 100% sure? plus I would buy a smart phone is switching, can you suggest any models? Prices?
Thanks.
I so understand what he says about being trapped paying extra fees on contract- it’s the simplicity of a prepaid plan that has got me looking around. I see tracfone offers an plan for 20 dollars a onth. . I think the option of going high or low in usage from one month to the next may make the extra worth my while. What is the procedure and how painless is it to switch between Tracfone’s plans?
@phill23 I use a Tracfone and only buy the minutes that are good for a year. I don’t use all those minutes, so prior to their expiration, I buy another set of year-long minutes which extends my service. The leftover minutes from the previous year are rolled over. This works great if you don’t talk on the cell a lot. Also, I try to purchase when they are offering a promotion that has some “extra” minutes on the deal. I spend about $100 per year, no contract. I always have Radio Shack do the download of the minutes for me; they’ve been real nice about it.
how great is that that despite all the changes that are going on with other companies, that tracfone has only gotten better and they’ve managed to keep costs the same. They’ve added some good new phones to take advantage of the data plan too. There’s not a complaint coming from me. It’s good to see that good things can last.
The basic phones save you a lot of money.