How to Save Money on Cell Phone Plans

With all the new gadgets available, cell phone plans can easily cost $100 or more each month. Use the directions below to save money on your cell phone bill and shrink it by up to half.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask for discounts if you are a veteran or work for a government agency. Their definition of "government" tends to be fairly loose and usually includes teachers, library workers and others not typically included in the group. Such discounts are rarely advertised, so you must specifically ask to get them. Ask a store representative if other discounts may apply. Averages savings are 10-25% off of the cell phone bill.

2. Cancel any services you don't use. Unlimited texting may sound good, but if you only text a few times per month, each text then costs a relative fortune.

3. If you accidentally hit the wrong button, you may sign up for services that you don't want, such as Internet or driving directions. Instead of being surprised by a large bill next month, ask your cell phone providers to disable the applications on their end. They can also disable the texting features so you no longer get the joke of the day or "LOL" randomly in your inbox.

4. Don't automatically renew your contract when it comes up. Let them come to you. If you don't like their renewal offer, wait for the next one. Once by waiting a few months after my contract expired, they gave me $250 off a new phone and $100 off my bill. Don't worry about not being on contract. They want to keep your business and won't cancel you.

5. If you are unhappy with your current cell phone providers, shop around. If you are still under contract and find a better offer, knock it down to the lowest level and sign up with the new company. Depending upon your needs, paying for both plans may be cheaper than keeping the original provider only. Before signing the new contract, ask the new company if they will pay all or part of a broken contract fee so you won't need to pay both. Mall kiosks are more likely to offer this option than the ones with a storefront.

6. Take a good look at your cell phone usage. If you rarely call long distance, already have a landline, and rarely go out of town, a cell phone plan may not be the best option for you. Instead, look for an inexpensive prepaid phone. These phones are cheap and the minutes only expire every few months, so you may save a few hundred dollars per year.

Tips & Warnings

• If you only have a cell phone in case of a roadside emergency when traveling, you may not really need one. Instead, keep an old cell phone that no longer has a service plan fully charged in your glove box. You can dial 9-1-1 from it without a plan from anywhere in the US.

[xivyisazombiex]

on 11/4/2009 Cell phone companies really gip you with there plans. Great article.