| In today's world of telecomm, there are so many | | | | by commission. When you go to websites for |
| options. Phones that you can do your banking | | | | information, you get just that. There are many |
| send e-mails, update social networking status, etc | | | | websites that offer information on phones, |
| from while sitting in traffic or watching TV. Gone | | | | carriers, and plans. So use the web! |
| are the days of the huge brick phones that came | | | | 4. Be aware of data and text messaging plans. As |
| in their own suitcase. Our phones now are smaller | | | | a general rule, cell companies will automatically put |
| than a credit card in most cases. There is all this | | | | you on the most expensive data plan. Unless |
| talk of data plans, and text messaging plans. How | | | | you're a stock broker who has 12 e-mail |
| is a person supposed to keep it all straight and | | | | accounts, you don't need that kind of data. Most |
| know what they need? How can you have the | | | | of those data plans range anywhere from $40 to |
| access to your life and not spend a fortune doing | | | | upwards of $60 a month per line. All |
| it? Here are some easy tips to get the most out | | | | Smartphone's, BlackBerry, Droid, EnV3, Palm, |
| of your cell phone, without spending a fortune. | | | | iPhone, and others require data plans, but that |
| 1. Keep an eye on your bill. We have been with | | | | doesn't mean you should spend a fortune for it. |
| the same cell company for almost 10 years. | | | | Your cell provider has cheaper plans that are |
| Almost every other month I have to call them | | | | every bit as efficient, can do everything you will |
| and go over my bill line by line. They almost | | | | need, and will save you a big chunk on your bill. |
| always have extra charges on there. I'm not | | | | Look into the plans offered by your provider, and |
| saying the cell phone company we have is bad, | | | | make sure you have the right one for you. |
| they're just a large company and make mistakes. | | | | Furthermore, on text messaging, unless you are a |
| If you don't catch little things like a $50 charge for | | | | teenager and send 2,000 texts a month, you |
| a service you don't have, it adds up by the end | | | | may not need an unlimited plan. I text all the time, |
| of your bill, believe me! So go through your bill | | | | however, my mother does not. For me, it makes |
| every time and make sure you are paying for | | | | sense to have the unlimited texting, but my mom |
| what you agreed to and what you use, not what | | | | who sends less than 12 texts a month has no |
| they think you might use. | | | | need whatsoever for such a large plan. |
| 2. Which leads me to the next point: Evaluate | | | | 5. If you have multiple lines on your account, |
| your cell plan every few months. Most cell phone | | | | make sure you are using them. Many times we |
| companies do not charge you to switch your plan | | | | get a line added for a friend or family member, |
| anymore. If you find you are going way over | | | | then the relationship goes south and we're left |
| your minutes, then up your plan. If you find that | | | | with another bill to pay. You can always suspend a |
| you're not using all your minutes, then lower your | | | | line on your account. It's usually a $20 fee or so, |
| plan. If you have a plan that you aren't using all | | | | and is billed regularly, depending on your carrier. |
| your minutes, then you are paying too much and | | | | For each month you suspend this line, it adds a |
| not using enough. Lower your minutes to a better | | | | month to the end of your contract with that |
| rate and minutes you can use. You shouldn't have | | | | phone. So, it may be cheaper for now, but will |
| 1,000 minutes left over at the end of the month. | | | | cost you in the long run. Don't add a line for a |
| Only get a plan for what your usage is on | | | | friend or family member, if possible. And definitely |
| average. | | | | don't suspend one if you can avoid it. Again, you |
| 3. Go to websites. You can go to your carrier's | | | | should only be paying for what you're using. |
| website to see special deals or sales they are | | | | Keeping your plan and your lines under control is |
| having on phones, plans, etc. The pricing with | | | | half the battle. |
| different cell companies changes all the time. If | | | | These are some very simple ways to make sure |
| you're looking to upgrade your phone, change | | | | that you keep your cell phone bill under control. |
| your plan, change your carrier, or even add lines | | | | Just as with any bill, you should monitor and |
| to your account, this is a great way to get some | | | | maintain what you're paying. If you feel like you're |
| information. Going directly to a store for your | | | | cell phone bill is out of control, then it probably is. |
| carrier means dealing with sales people. Sales | | | | The main thing is to keep in mind what you need, |
| people are trained on one product and motivated | | | | and not what you want. |