Is Your Cell Phone Breaking Your Budget?
Ways to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill
Twenty years ago cell phones were usually only carried by the wealthy. Nowadays, almost everyone has a cell phone. They’re even marketing cell phones for little kids. If every member in your family is carrying a cell phone, it can take quite a bite out of your budget. Here are some money-saving tips to help you cut down your cell phone costs.
Evaluate Your Existing Cell Phone Plan
First and foremost, you need to take a look at your cell phone plan. If the plan you’re on isn’t the best one for you, it can literally cost you hundreds of dollars more each year. If you aren’t using all of your cell phone minutes each month, size down to a smaller plan that will cost you less. If you are consistently going over your minutes, upgrade to a plan that includes more minutes. Paying for a plan with more minutes will cost you less than constantly paying for cell phone overages.
Watch Your Text Messaging
Unless your plan includes text messaging services, prohibit anyone in your family from sending or receiving text messages with their cell phone. Many cell phone carriers charge ten cents for each and every text message sent and received and when you get in the habit of texting, that can add up to quite a bit of money.
Avoid 800 Numbers from Your Cell Phone
One of the conveniences of dialing an 800 number is that you don’t have to pay for the call. However, if you’re making a call to an 800 number from your cell phone, you aren’t getting the call for free. If you need to call an 800 number, do it from your land line so you aren’t charged for it.
Use the Phone Book
Some cell phone carriers charge more than a dollar each time you dial 411. Even if you only call 411 once a week, it adds up to $52 over the course of a year. Instead of dialing 411 look the number up online or in a phone book.
By following these money-saving tips, you may be able to save hundreds of dollars each year and your cell phone won’t make you go broke.
Comments
Did you know you now can dial 1-800-free-411 and you will be routed for free absolutly,on your land line ofcourse!
Posted by: Mitchell Laurio | June 26, 2006 9:28 PM
We were using TracFone, for emergency calls ONLY. But, at 40c a minute, it was pricey. Now, we've discovered BOOSTmobile at 20c a minute. You buy a prepaid card, for as little as $20, good for 3 months. That's less than $7 a month. Hard to beat, unless you're really a blabbermouth. Remember, we use ours for EMERGENCIES and short calls only.
Posted by: Bill Russell | July 26, 2006 2:52 PM
A couple ways to save money when you need to call 411 for information:
1) 800.Free.411 - and they'll also connect the call for free, too.
2) Send a text message to 46645 - Google. For example: "Bill Smith, Boston, MA". Google will text you back with names, numbers, and addresses. (Yes, normal text messaging costs apply.)
Posted by: Auction-Misspellings.com | July 26, 2006 7:45 PM