Does anyone else remember when your cell phone just made calls? You remember, like 10 years ago, before the Smartphones of today?
These days, cell phones are much smaller and do so many cool things.
But all that cool technology comes with a price. Just because you can afford the monthly bill doesn’t mean that you can’t look for ways to cut costs and save money.
If you are hoping to trim your cell phone bill, I offer these simple ways:
- Use Wi-Fi
This is the most common mistake I see people making. Use a Wi-Fi connection whenever you can, especially at home or work where you know it is secure. Data overages can pile up quickly, so you want to make sure you stay within your monthly limit by only using 4G/LTE when you need it.
- Insurance Plan
Cut the insurance for your cell phone? If you truly need “insurance” for your cell phone, then you’ve bought a cell phone that you can’t afford. In other words, if you don’t have the cash available to replace your phone if something happens to it, then your phone is too expensive for your budget. Simply do the math. If insurance costs you $10-$13 per month and the deductible on a new phone is $200 you will have over $300.00 into a replacement. It’s possible you could find a replacement either on Craigslist or you could call your favorite cell phone guy to see what your options I have for you.
- Negotiate
When you’re in the market for a new phone, don’t just assume you can’t talk down the price. Go to the store and talk with a salesperson to see if you can get the activation fee or upgrade fee waived. If you’ve been a customer for a long time, then be sure to bring that up. Use whatever leverage you have, including fees—or the lack of fees—from competitors.
- Buy Out-of-Contract Phones
Cell phone companies know how to make money, lots and lots of money. One way they do that is through contracts. To buy their phone, you’ll have to sign a two-year contract to use that company’s services. If you attempt to switch carriers, you’ll get hit with a ridiculous cancellation charge. So what can you do? Try to buy out-of-contract, gently used phones. Ask around. Look online. No, you won’t be able to get the hottest, newest smartphone this way, but you can get a really good smartphone without locking yourself into one company for years to come.
- Cut Out the Stuff You Don’t Use
This might seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t even look at their cell phone bill. They continue paying for things they never use, like emergency roadside assistance, 411, and “enhanced voicemail.” Sit down, look long and hard at your phone bill(or better yet, let us look at it for you), and determine if you really need everything that’s listed on it.
- Finally
Add up all the costs before you buy. If you’re shopping carriers, you should add up the cost of the phone plus the cost of the service for the life of the contract. Remember my comments on getting a phone you really can’t afford. Looking at all the costs associated with your phone puts the total amount in your face, instead of just the month-to-month payments, so you know exactly what you are agreeing to when you sign that contract.
I want to say thank you to all our clients, your business makes our business possible. We appreciate your trust in us, and that allows us to do what we love. We hope to continue to earn your business everyday.
Merry Christmas!
Todd Fritz
