A few weeks ago, I asked Coupon Cravings readers what more they wanted to see here and I got a great response for more tips, so starting today I’m going to offer money-saving tips at least once or twice a week by way of a “Tip Sheet” post.
This first post is on six ways to trim your cell phone bill. I take mine everywhere, and get a little panicky if it’s not with me, so these tips are perfect for me. If you have any more to add, please let me know.
- Go easy on the minutes. Take the time to figure out how many voice minutes you’ve used in the past six months and how many minutes were either left over or went over your limit. This quick calculation can help you figure out if you’re on the right plan.
- Use carrier freebies. If your carrier offers unlimited free minutes to designated calling-list phone numbers, register your most-called numbers but be sure to make the most of this money-saving feature by limiting your list to landlines and cell numbers outside your network.
- Bundle up those texts. The cost of text messaging adds up quickly if you’re paying 15 to 20 cents per text. If you’re a busy texter, opt for a package of 200 to 1,500 messages per month for $5 to $15.
- Don’t be afraid to complain. If you’ve got an unusually high bill in your hands, call customer service before you fork over hundreds of dollars in extra fees. Your carrier might cut you a break.
- Shop around or hire someone to do it for you. You can “hire” a service like those at www.billshrink.com or www.myvalidas.com to sift through the major plans for you then recommend available phones with various plans and costs.
- Avoid big termination fees. Make sure that you’re going to be happy with your cell plan because early termination fees can run as high as $350 per phone line. If you do choose to switch to a new carrier, be sure to give the phone and service a good test drive during the 15- to 30-day trial period, when you can quit and move your number to another carrier without penalty.
These tips and more can be found in the March 2010 issue of ShopSmart.
Marsha 
Dana 
Check to see if your employer, insurer, bank, organization, etc. makes you eligible for a group discount. We save 15% on our Verizon bill because of my husband’s employer. We even get a discount on phones and accessories.