7 Tips To Reduce Your Cell Phone Bill

When’s the last time you opened up your cell phone bill and smiled because the amount due was so low? If you’re like most, the answer to that is never, as you feel as if you’re always overpaying.

Does this mean you’re doomed to always pay a big chunk of change for your cell phone service? Of course not, as there are plenty of ways to lower your bill, and here they are:

1. Avoid frequent upgrades.

It may be tempting to upgrade to the latest, greatest smartphone, but doing so will only add to your costs.

Your cell phone can last a lot longer than two years, so avoid upgrading it. If you do, that upgrade will lock you into two years of payments to pay off the phone, which will add as much as $40 to your monthly bill. So, unless your phone is no longer functional, stick with it to save.

2. Add more people to your plan.

You can add your spouse, kids, or other family members to your cell phone plan to lower the cost per line.

3. Sign up for autopay.

Automatic payments keep you from forgetting to pay your bill. This not only ensures you stay connected by paying on time, but it also keeps your credit score from dropping due to late payments.

Even better, using autopay can lead to discounts that lower your bill. T-Mobile, for example, offers a $5 autopay discount per line, which could lead to significant savings if you have several family members on your plan.

4. Choose cell phone insurance wisely.

Unless you have a brand new phone, you probably don’t need a premium protection plan. Opt for standard insurance, and you can get the necessary coverage should your phone get stolen, lost, or damaged. And if your phone is old and isn’t worth much, you may want to drop your cell insurance altogether.

5. Look for discounts.

Some cell phone companies offer discounts for employees of certain companies, military service, government workers, students, etc. Ask your carrier if any such discounts apply to your situation.

6. Keep your service address up to date.

Have you moved to a new location? If so, the taxes and fees could be cheaper in that location, and that could lower your bill.

By keeping your service address updated, you can save on taxes and fees that can make your bill balloon.

7. Switch to a prepaid carrier.

Perhaps the simplest way to lower your cell phone bill is to switch to a prepaid carrier like Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Verizon, etc. Doing so can slash your monthly payment without locking you into a long-term contract. And since many of these prepaid carriers use the same networks as the big boys, you can enjoy strong service at a much lower cost.

Before making the jump, check to see which prepaid carriers have the best network coverage for your area.