1) Change your current plan. You don't have to extend or terminate your contract. Ask your carrier for a summary of your past phone usage to see if you can get a cheaper plan.
2) Take advantage of family messaging and data plans. This can save you a lot. AT&T, for example, offers unlimited texts for a family for $30 a month, vs. $20 per person.
3) Ask the Human Resource Department of your company about any qualifying discount on your personal phone (if any).
4) Cancel the insurance coverage on your phone. A coverage typically costs $4 to $6 per month with deductibles ranging from $50 to $125. You could easily get a new phone for less, should you need one.
5) Change your phone carrier if you have found a better plan. Before doing so, wait for the contract to expire to avoid termination fees. Money saving websites such as Billshrink.com and Validas.com has the tools to help you find a better deal from different carriers and one that will fit your cell phone usage.
6) Consider other phone carriers besides the four major carriers – AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Regional carriers such as U.S. Cellular, MetroPCS, and Cricket Wireless offer savings of $20 a month over plans from the big four. Since BillShrink.com and Validas.com don't include these carriers, compare them using Wirelessadvisor.com.
7) Consider prepaid phone plans. They offer calling, text messaging, and web access starting at $40 a month with NO CONTRACT or CANCELLATION FEES. Prepaid phone plans can be an economical choice if you use less than 300 minutes a month.
8) Change your phone habits. How you use your phone can have a lot to do with how much you pay. For those without unlimited calling plans, it's important to monitor your minutes to avoid charges for going over the monthly allotment of minutes. Limit your calls accordingly and make use of your landline phone.
9) Use Google's 411 for Free. If you don't know the number you need to reach, just call 800-GOOG-411.
10)Use WiFi to make international calls. Skype operates using Wifi and lets you call abroad at reduced rates. It's available as an app for smart phones. Plus you can call other Skype users for free.
Jason
