Since so many of us have cell phones, I thought I would share this guest post with you about how you can save money with your cell phone. I hope it can help you to save some money!
Regardless of how you use your phone, chances are you’re overpaying for the texts and minutes you use. With so many networks and plans available, it’s hard to know which one to choose. Here are a few tips to make the choices easier, and your savings bigger.
Negotiate with your existing company before leaving. As an existing customer, you wield a powerful weapon – loyalty. When your contract is nearing its end, ask for a better deal, and don’t be afraid to mention other networks’ deals. Tell them if they can’t match it, you’ll have to leave. They will put you through to the disconnections department, which has more leverage in offering better than advertised deals. If you like your network coverage, this could be your best option.
Determine if a contract plan is better than a PAYG plan. With a pay as you go (PAYG) plan, there is no credit check required, no contract requirement, no overcharge shocks, and may be better for light users.
The benefits of contract plans are that smartphones are cheaper with a contract. You don’t have to worry about running out of credit (though you need to be careful to avoid overage charges). You’re more likely to get free mobile data, and it’s often the better choice for heavy callers and texters.
Ascertain your true usage each month. Most people vastly overestimate the time they spend speaking on their mobile, or how many texts they send. Keep track of your usage for a few months by following your bills.
If you have a landline that offers free minutes, use that when you are at home to cut down your mobile usage. If you do, or can, make more of your calls during off-peak hours, many carriers will charge less for those minutes. It is worth investigating and making the proper adjustments.
Look at how much you use the web each month. Most networks offer a 1GB “fair usage policy”. If you are only checking emails, social networks and the occasional video, this should be more than enough. If you’re downloading large media files, or use other web-heavy apps, or generally spend a lot of time online on your mobile, you may need a larger plan. No one currently offers and unlimited data plan, though EE comes closest.
Once you’ve established your true usage, allow yourself some leeway, but don’t overdo it. A slightly higher monthly fee is still better than extra call charges.
Determine the best carrier for service. As much as finding a good deal is important, if the network provider you settle on offers shoddy service in your area, you aren’t doing yourself any favors.
Don’t rely solely on the coverage maps offered by the different providers. Do some homework. Find people who are currently using the network, and ask about their experiences, both with phone and data connectivity. You can also check online for user reviews of the different networks.
Compile your data and do some shopping. Once you’ve armed yourself with all the pertinent information, check out the various providers to find the plan that best suits your needs.
If you’re not in a hurry to get a new cell phone, you can save even more money by going with a Sim-only contract. With this option you only get the Sim card, and don’t have to pay extra for the handset. In addition, you may not have to commit to more than a 30-day contract with a Sim-only option, so you are free to try out other providers without waiting out a one to two year contract.
On the other hand, if you do upgrade to a new phone, consider selling yours to regain hundreds of dollars.