Saving Money on Cell Phones

Buy Cheap Prepaid Phone To Replace Broken Cell Phone

Did you ever notice that a cell phone plan/contract is 2 years and the phone only works for a year? Instead of spending a ton of money to buy a new phone, buy a go phone (prepaid phone) for $15-$20. DO NOT have it activated. Just put your sim card in it, and charge it. It will be good to go.

If you have a plan with AT&T, buy a AT&T Go phone, same with Verizon and so on. My cell phone broke this morning, I did this and it worked.

By Michele from Bangor, PA

Reducing Cell Phone Data Charges

Looking for ways to lower cell phone bills? I have a generous Data Plan but my kids kept going over the megabytes allowed and increasing my payments. So I called AT&T, and they explained that because my kids NEVER logged out of Facebook, and their friends were constantly updating their status, my kids were accruing unnecessary data charges. Now my kids LOG OFF Facebook each time, and the bills are down to normal.

In addition, if your have a Blackberry, BBM (messages) fall under the data plan forcing megabytes to be accrued and costs to go up. Since the text message plan we have is unlimited, my kids now mostly text message instead of BBM, lowering my costs.

By cipi2000 from Miami, FL

Saving on Cellphone Expense

I dropped my monthly cellphone charges by getting a 20 dollar cellphone.
My Smartphone was costing me 75 dollars a month, way too expensive, so I decided to just get a regular phone without internet and apps.
Now, I was wondering what I could do with this phone that I wasn't going to use.
What an a ha moment: even without the SIM card I can still use the Smartphone as it is connected to my Wi-Fi desktop connection!
I still have internet from my living room without the charges that I was paying for the Smartphone.
Saving over 35 dollars a month. Yay!
Hope this helps you all to save every dollar that you can and smile while doing it.

By Lorraine S.

Use Online Services To Avoid Using Phone Minutes

To save cell phone minutes, do as much online as you can. You can pay bills, contact companies, and email.

By Bethany from SC

New Data Plans When Upgrading Phones

I recently noticed an ad for a free Verizon smart phone and was about to upgrade two of my family's older technology smart phones when my son pointed out to me that in doing so, I was giving up my unlimited data plan. Sure enough when I called Verizon, it was confirmed that the new plan would not provide unlimited data.

Be advised. If you're a big data user, you may not want to do the hardware upgrade because your new contract will no longer provide unlimited data.

By carolyn

Saving Money on Your Cellphone

Tips for saving money on cellphones as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.

Check For Coverage

The main thing you have to be careful of with a cellphone company is whether or not you'll have good coverage. In some areas where I live, Cingular doesn't have good coverage.

By Tedsmom

Cancellation Policy

When signing up for a cellphone or changing companies always know what the cancellation policy is. Find out how long you have to cancel the service if the coverage is not what it needs to be. You don't want to end up having a phone for two years that only works on your front porch.

Go To The Store

Last month I was in the market for a new cellphone and a new cellphone carrier so I went online looking for the best deal. For various reasons I was unable to complete an order online and ended up going directly to a Cingular store (one managed by Cingular). They matched the deal I found online plus gave me an addition rebate on each phone. They were also able to transfer my existing numbers, something that was not allowed with the online retailers offer.

By Fisher

Use Your House Phone Whenever Possible

The cell phone I have is one of my daughter's. I have to be extra careful of minutes, especially since a recent month when I caused them to go way over. I use my cell as a phone book, so I can find numbers I need quickly. Most people who have cells also have a 'house phone'. So, my tip is when at home, use the house phone for all calls that are not free on your cell phone. I use mine to find the number, then I call on house phone.

By Linda

Cancel Your Landline

If you have a good coverage with your cellphone, consider canceling your land line or cutting down the services you have. For example, just get the minimum phone at home, with no long distance. Then use your cellphone for long distance. Cancel services like caller ID, voicemail and call waiting on your land line as well.

Check For Discounts On Cellphone Bills

I receive 19% off my cellphone bill, each month, for being an educator. My husband and I also switched to the family plan. Contact your provider and they will give any information you need.

By Amy from Goshen, NY