Are you paying too much for your cell phone plan? To some, the answer is yes; to others, the answer is no. No matter which camp you fall into, there’s plenty of room for improvement. Following these five simple steps could save you dollars on your cell phone bill.
Don’t Be Afraid to Change Carriers
Carriers often offer incentives for customers to switch providers, so if you’ve got an unlocked phone that’s been fully paid off, switching providers more than once per year could help you cut your monthly costs.
Thanks to the rise of MVNOs, customers now have a wealth of options when it comes to choosing a mobile provider. These mobile virtual network operators offer cell phone plans that cost significantly less than major providers.
When You Can, Take Advantage of Free Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is widely available these days, and taking advantage of it can help you save money on your cell phone bill by lowering the amount of cellular data you use.
Of course, it might not be the best idea to always rely on a free Wi-Fi connection. But if you use Wi-Fi networks more often than not, it could help you cut your phone bill down significantly.
Switch to A Different Cell Phone Plan
If you want to save money but you’re set on staying with your current carrier, you may want to consider changing your plan. Many people are paying for data they don’t actually use. Check your monthly usage to see if you can switch to a cheaper data plan.
If you find that you’re using much less data than your plan allowance, switching to a plan with a lower data allowance might be a good idea. Typically, the lower the data allotment, the lower the monthly cost. Switching plans is easy — just contact your carrier or log into your online account.
Join the Family Plan
Many cell service providers offer multi-line discounts on family plans, making a family plan one of the cheapest ways to stay connected. The Verizon Unlimited plan, for example, costs $70/month for a single line but drops to $30 when you add five lines. You’ll find similar deals on AT&T, T-Mobile, and a number of MVNOs. Remember that family plans aren’t just for families; you can also get a group of friends together and take advantage of these multi-line discounts.
Think Twice Before You Upgrade Your Phone
It can be tempting to switch phones frequently, especially if you have a monthly installment plan. But the amount you’ll end up paying over time may surprise you. New phones are expensive, so you can save a lot of money by holding on to your phones longer.
