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CELL PHONES
CELL PHONE MONEY SAVING TIPS
Cell phones used to be a luxury only a few people could afford. But within the last several years, cell phones have become commonplace, and in some instances have replaced household phones entirely. The key to saving money on cell phones is not paying for services you do not really need, using the phone only when necessary so the amount of time purchased can be minimized, and searching for the best deal that meets your needs.
1. Determine what your cell phone needs really are and stop paying for services you do not really need. Other than being able to place and receive calls when a household phone is not available, do you really need a cell phone for anything else? Do you really need to text message, surf the Internet, send photos, have data services and watch videos, etc.? If you have Internet access at home, can’t you wait until you are at your computer to send an email message or photo, or visit that favorite web site? It might be nice, but is it really worth the additional monthly expense to use your cell phone for anything other than phone calls? And do you really need that second cell phone line?
2. Using the cell phone only to make and receive necessary calls can allow you to save significantly. Many people are always on their cell phone. Whether you have a home phone or not, are all those calls really necessary and really that entertaining? Would life really be less worthwhile if you did not make all those cell phone calls? Most people could spend far less on a cell phone plan if fewer minutes were required.
3. Once you have decided how to limit your cell phone use, shop for the best plan or method for filling those needs.
a. Visit several providers that provide good service at your home and in your general
calling area, and see what plans are available. Make sure the customer rep understands
that you want the most inexpensive plan that will meet your needs. For instance,
do you need unlimited long distance or no roaming charges, or are your long distance
and out-
b. If you have a plan with a particular company that provides more services than you need, call them up and tell them you need to minimize your cell phone bill and need a less expensive plan. Tell them what services you need and ask what they can do to keep your business. However, keep in mind that they may insist that you sign up for a new plan with a new termination date. If you do change plans, with your same provider, make sure there is not a termination fee when terminating your old plan.
c. When signing up for a plan, do you really need a new cell phone if you already have one that works well. Ask for a cheaper plan that does not include free phones.
d. With many cell phone plans you can have up to five lines with five unique phone
numbers. Additional lines after the first line usually cost $10 per month. Consider
joining with friends or relatives to share one plan and the plan’s minutes. If no
one talks excessively, five people can usually have cell phone service, including
nationwide long distance, for about $20 per month, with no excess minutes charges.
And often free phones come with the plan. Minutes are tracked by phone number,
so if someone does use the phone excessively it is easy to determine who owes any
additional charges. Just make sure everyone is trustworthy and will pay their share
for the entire two-
e. If looking for a new cell phone plan, look closely around holidays (including Mother’s Day) for special deals. Ask various cell phone service providers when special deals will be offered.
f. Do you really need a plan? Perhaps if your are only going to use the cell in emergencies, you can buy minutes without a plan. The cost per minute will be higher, but your overall cost might be considerably lower. Or consider buying a prepaid cell phone for emergency calling. And do not forget, if you have a cell phone lying around, you do not need any plan at all if you only want to call 911 in an emergency. This service is provided at no cost.
g. And before you make any commitment on a cell plan, check to see if your employer has an agreement with a provider to give a discount to their employees on cell phone plans. Many employers do this and the cell phone service does not need to be used for business to get the discount.
