Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Save Money On Your Phone Bill

By Geoffrey Clapp


Today phones have become a necessity. Most people have both a land phone and a cell phone. Kids can't even imagine living without a phone. And they even use their phones to talk to their parents. At least we're communicating more with each other but it's become a monthly expense that can get out of control.

Some are afraid to open their phone bill each month and discover how much they went over budget. If you think your bill is too high, it might be time for you to cut back on some extra features.

Ringtones for one are not really necessary. And do you really need call forwarding and call waiting? How many text messages do you send? If you don't regularly use these extras that you pay for cancel them and save.

It's possible that we are moving toward only owning cell phones. More than 15% of households have done just that. If you are thinking of switching to your cell phone only, see how much you use your land line and then tag an extra 20% to your cell bill to include the extra time. Many people use their cell phones more than they use their home phone. Cell phones are cooler and they are much more convenient.

Do a little shopping around. You might even be able to negotiate some freebies, and even extra minutes. There is lots of competition out there but be sure you have the plan that's right for you even if you pay more. If your whole family needs a phone, make sure you ask about combined plans and family plans.

Read the contract carefully including the fine print. You should ask as many questions as you need, since you will be the one making the decision. Make sure the provider rounds to the nearest second, not minute.

If you'll be talking more in the evening hours make sure you get their definition of night hours. Roaming charges can take a big bite out of your pocketbook and vary with the provider.

Take advantage of the trial period. It usually lasts from 2 to 30 days, and you can probably negotiate the duration of it. Use the phone at home to see if the reception is good everywhere. Find out if you can access 911 with your cell.

VOIP (voice over internet Protocol) comes from your Internet provider and transmits calls over the internet. It's a great choice for those that make long distance calls. Unfortunately, if you lose power, most broadband cell phones also don't work.

You can also use phones that work with pre-paid phone cards. The price range is about $15 to $25. They are a great choice for children, since they will be taught how to discipline themselves and use less minutes this way. If the card is lost, so are the minutes, and they usually expire after a certain amount of time.

Going totally cellular is an important decision. It's important for you to know how much you use the phone. Over estimate rather than under estimate. Stay away from long term contracts if you can. Your best bet is to look for limited offers. Good cell service can be great to keep you in touch with those you love. But, don't lose touch with your budget.




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