Cellphones are a widely popular piece of technology believed to be used by billions of people around the globe. A product of innovations decades in the making, modern-day cellular devices offer a plethora of functions: playing games, streaming video content online, and many more.
One of the quintessential features mobile devices offer includes allowing communication between individuals at great distances. Cellphones today permit their users to text, call, and collaborate with anybody via the Internet or a network from almost anywhere in the world. However, this service doesn’t come cheap. In fact, statistical user data show that an average phone owner pays more than a hundred dollars’ worth of cellphone bills every month – translating to almost more than a thousand dollars annually.
Fortunately, there are several ways to cut down the expense of owning and using a cellphone. Continue reading to start managing your cellphone usage to take a hold of your high cellphone bills monthly.
Analyze Your Bill
One of the best ways to save on costs on a monthly cellphone plan is to choose a plan that best fits your consumption patterns. Otherwise, you’ll be paying for extra text messages, minutes, or data that you’ll never use.
Tallying up the messages and minutes and comparing them to the broad array of provider plans can be daunting. The good news is that there are apps and online tools that can help monitor data usage and analyze your bill.
From a rough estimate of your usage patterns, you can compare them to various provider plans. Fortunately, a simple web search and you’ll find review sites that already did a thorough comparison of network providers.
For instance, if you’re checking between different network companies’ plans, wireless industry experts from sites like https://www.yournavi.com/tmobile-vs-att-cell-phone-plans/ and others similar to it provide a detailed comparison, along with suggestions and recommendations, on the best network provider depending on your cellphone usage needs.
Try Out Prepaid
It’s said that most cellphone users are conditioned to the concept of phone contracts that they don’t think about switching to prepaid phones. In fact, only a small group of the populace use prepaid phones.
That said, prepaid phones can actually help save you some serious money in the long run. This is especially true if you’re a light to moderate phone user, allowing you to save a significant amount when compared to the cost of a traditional contract plan.
Use A Joint Account
Combining accounts can also help save money. Instead of an individual plan for every member of the household, you can combine your accounts by adding a line and removing the unnecessary or additional plans.
Also, most providers offer discounts when you have more than one line and share your minutes and data, so as not to waste the data and minutes you don’t use during a month’s billing period.
Remove Or Change Cellphone Insurance
Most cellphone plan providers offer a variety of protection plans. This can vary from extended warranties to fully-blown insurance for any mobile device in your home.
In most cases, though, the standard insurance provides you with enough coverage. It sufficiently protects you if your phone gets damaged, stolen, or lost. It’s also the least expensive option which can save you a few dollars every month.
Use Wi-Fi
Try to use a Wi-Fi network whenever it’s available, particularly at home or work. And if you don’t have Wi-Fi access, be smart about it! Don’t stream or download music, movies, or podcasts unless you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.
The fees for using too much data can add up quickly. Some network providers may charge you up to $15 the instant you go over your data plan. So, make sure to stay within your monthly limit by using cellular data only when you need it.
Plus, you can sign up for alerts when you’re getting close to your limit. Or you can easily set it on your mobile phone.
Opt For Autopay
Most wireless carriers can give you a discount on your bill amounting to a few dollars if you go paperless and use automatic payments instead for your cellphone plan account. Although it may seem small, this can add up to significant savings, particularly if you have a family plan with several lines. Before proceeding, make sure to read, go through thoroughly, and understand the fine print to determine if you’ll qualify for the discount.
Takeaway
From communicating with your loved ones, co-workers, and friends to staying on top of news and online social activities to even ordering your lunch, cellphones have become a necessity to take part in the hyperconnected and modern world.
Cellphone plans may be expensive, but you don’t have to give them up. With the tips enumerated above, you can lower your bill to maintain the benefits and convenience your cellphone plant provides while ensuring you get to enjoy sound financial health.
