Money Management

How to Lower Your Phone Bill

Whether we’re at home, at work, or on the move, cell phones keep us connected with the world. But if you have a mobile phone, there’s one thing you probably don’t love: your monthly cell phone bill. If you’re wondering how to lower your cell phone bill, we have nine simple tips that can help you save money every single month.

ONE Sign up for auto-pay

01Depending on your mobile provider, auto-pay savings can range from $5 to 15 per line per month. When you consider that this arrangement also keeps you from missing due dates and incurring late fees, the savings can be even more substantial. 02TWO Ask about discounts If you work for a company that offers employee discounts for specific mobile phone carriers, you may be able to lower your bill just by verifying your employment. Similarly, many of the major carriers offer discounts to university alumni or military and veterans’ families.

03

THREE Don’t pay for what you don’t use

Unlimited talk, text, and data plans sound nice, but if you never approach the limits, you may be spending more than you need to for your cell phone plan. To determine whether your plan fits your needs, contact your cell phone carrier and ask them how to view your average monthly usage.

FOUR

Take Advantage of WiFi If your cell phone plan doesn’t include unlimited 04 data, data overages can make your monthly bill spike unexpectedly. If you want to avoid those fees or slower speeds, use WiFi whenever possible to help you reduce your cellular data usage, which can keep you from going over your monthly limit.

If you're not currently under a contract with your cell phone provider, switching carriers can be an excellent way to lower your monthly bill.

FIVE Skip the insurance

05 On the surface, phone insurance sounds like a safe bet. But when you consider that most carrier protection plans cost $100-200 annually whether you use them or not and require a deductible of $50-300 for each claim, the financial benefits might not be as good as they sound. You can also check out Spero’s Protect+ package, which covers replacement/repair coverage for up to four phones on a plan.

SIX Go with a prepaid plan

06 Tired of being locked into long-term contracts with high monthly rates? Consider switching to a prepaid plan through carriers like Cricket Wireless or Boost Mobile. If you’re already with a major carrier like AT&T or Verizon, those companies offer prepaid plans as well.

SEVEN Keep your phone

07 With new models of iPhones and Android phones being released every year, it can be tempting to upgrade — even if you’re in the middle of a two-year contract. If you want to lower your bill, consider sticking with your current phone even after you’ve paid it off.

EIGHT Switch carriers

08If you’re not currently under a contract with your cell phone provider, switching carriers can be an excellent way to lower your monthly bill. Most carriers run promotions specifically designed to attract new customers, and those deals can result in big savings.

NINE Ask for fees to be waived

09If you’re thinking about upgrading your phone or switching carriers, you might be able to save money by asking them to waive the fees traditionally assessed for those changes. While they’re under no obligation to drop those charges, many carriers will waive them as a courtesy — but you have to ask.