Ten tips for saving on cell phones bills
JANESVILLE — Cell phones can be expensive, and money is tight.
But cell phones are commonplace in today's world, and most people feel they can't live without one.
Cutting cell costs is another way to save.
Here are 10 ways to save money on your cell phone bill:
1. Reduce the number of minutes you buy. Track how many minutes you use each month. Find out if you can get a cheaper package within the number of minutes you use. A cheaper plan might fit your needs. And keep track of how many minutes you've used to avoid overage fees. Meanwhile, monitor your daytime minutes and night or weekend minutes.
2. Get a family plan. A lot of cell companies offer a discount if you sign up more than one person on one account. If everyone in your house has a cell phone, consolidating plans is a good way to save money. Check with your provider.
3. Mind how many text, picture or video messages you send. The cost of texts is cheap, usually about 20 cents a message. But it adds up. Video or picture messages cost more. If you love texting, sign up for an unlimited text package at a fixed cost. Chances are, the fixed cost is less than paying per text.
4. Take advantage of company promotions. If your cell carrier is offering new deals with more minutes or friends-and-family, in-network calling, take advantage of it. Cell companies often will give existing users the same promotions if they renew their contracts.
5. Use a prepaid cell plan. Many companies offer pay-as-you-go cell service. If you don't use a cell often, this might be a good way to avoid more expensive options. If you tend to go over your minutes, a prepaid cell will prevent you from paying overage fees.
6. Shop around. Different cell providers offer competing plans. The number of minutes, phones, data and other packages vary widely. Find the plan that fits your budget and lifestyle.
7. Restrain from impulsive temptations to download ringtones or subscribe to video games and other applications. They might be only a couple bucks, but they add up. And it's easy to lose track of the monthly and one-time fees. So cut back on the extras.
8. If you use the Internet on your cell, be aware of the charges for the number of pages viewed or megabytes used. The Internet also sucks up airtime minutes. Those of you who must have Internet access can search for a flat-rate data plan.
9. Watch out for roaming charges. If you talk outside your coverage area, you can be charged extra for roaming minutes. Roamers should get a nationwide plan to call from anywhere.
10. Don't use a cell phone. Believe it or not, people still live without carrying a phone 24 hours a day. We all did it not long ago. Plenty of land line carriers offer service for much less than cell carriers.
May 12, 2009 at 9:46 p.m.
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I work with a national cellular service provider called Consumer Cellular, which offers post-paid service
*************************************************Are you sure you work for *** I work with a national cellular service provider called Consumer Cellular, which offers post-paid service -just razzing ya .
May 12, 2009 at 8:20 p.m.
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“These are all great suggestions. Another option is to see if any organizations you are a member of have partnerships will cellular service providers. Just don’t be afraid to ask or do research. For example, I work with a national cellular service provider called Consumer Cellular, which offers post-paid service with absolutely no contracts, plus AARP and AAA club members can receive special benefits on cellular service from Consumer Cellular.”
May 12, 2009 at 10:34 a.m.
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Cell phones CAN be expensive, but PAYGO plans can be pretty inexpensive. If you only have one phone, you might be able to pay even less with just the cell phone rather than just a landline.
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It is interesting that people using the web are often very motivated to look for free or cheap alternatives, but people using cell phones are willing to pay through the nose for frills. They'll pay twice as much for a 10-second ringtone as they will for a full-length MP3 of a hit! Games on the web are usually free, games on phones are usually expensive. I suppose it can be worth it to have these things follow you everywhere, but even some industry experts are baffled at this dichotomy.
May 12, 2009 at 12:02 a.m.
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+1 Rohr. If a cell phone IS a must, then just get a voice plan. Drop text and web features. I got rid of my cell phone back in 06. Dont miss it one bit.
May 11, 2009 at 8:39 p.m.
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The best way to save money is to not spend money. If you need to save money then cancel your cell phone.
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