9 Easy Ways to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill

High cell phone bills got you feeling low? Are data caps cramping your style? Maybe it’s time to shop around for a better deal on your cellular service or find ways to reduce your current bill.

There are many ways to lower how much you spend each month on cellular data. Here are just a few ways to get through each month without draining your bank account. Continue reading to learn 9 Easy Ways to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill.

9 Use Wi-Fi Whenever Possible

Racking up data charges is super easy to do. You can save money by only using cellular data when absolutely necessary. This will allow you to purchase a lower monthly data plan. Just be sure to stay under your data limit to avoid overage fees.

While some of us may have unlimited data plans, others are not so lucky. It can be easy to just whip out your phone to quickly Google the answers to life's hardest questions. But if you have a data limit, and you are trying to save money each month, it’s probably best to wait until you are at home or connected to Wi-Fi.

Many public places like coffee shops, college campuses, and libraries have free wireless Internet for you to use. If a password is required it is usually in an easily accessible location.

Keep in mind, using public Wi-Fi means your Internet traffic can be more easily intercepted by others on the same network. If possible, use a VPN to encrypt your traffic and avoid accessing sensitive data on public Wi-Fi whenever possible.

8 Cut Out Extras

Many carriers will push you to sign up for add-ons when you sign up. They may seem like they don’t cost too much, but they can add up quickly. Go over your bill with a fine-toothed comb to look for things you don’t need, but are paying extra for.

Extra services such as caller ID can cost upwards of $10 per month. Cancelling this service could save you $120 a year. Other costly features can include entertainment services, roadside assistance, and enhanced voicemail. You can cut a small chunk out of your monthly bill if you can do without these things.

7 Sign up for Autopay

Some carriers offer a discount for going paperless or using autopay. Check with your carrier to see if this is an option they provide. If you're interested in preserving the planet or decluttering your desk’s top drawer, paperless billing will allow you to receive your statement via email. Autopay allows your carrier to automatically charge your card or withdraw funds from your bank account on a specified day each month. If your carrier offers a discount for these services, this can be a simple way to save money that requires virtually no effort on your part.

6 Switch to Prepaid

If you aren’t locked into a contract with your current provider, you may want to look in to a prepaid service. There are quite a few cellular providers offering services that let you choose how much data you pay for each month. Carriers such as Metro PCS will allow you to pay only for the things you plan on using and nothing more. Prepaid plans can run as low as $20 per month, but are generally very basic.

5 Keep Your Phone Longer

While paying monthly for your iPhone can keep you from paying the full price up front or allow you to upgrade when the newest iPhone debuts, it also adds anywhere from $20-$50 to your monthly bill. If you can, instead of upgrading to the latest and greatest, try keeping your phone little longer after paying it off. You will see a big decrease in your monthly bill and can save you hundreds of dollars each year.

4 Check for an Employee, Government, or Student Discount

Check with your employer or school to see if they offer a student discount with any cell phone providers. You can also check with your cell phone provider to see if they offer discounts for government employees, veterans, etcetera. It only takes a quick call to your carrier, college, or employer to see if any discounts are available.

3 Switch Carriers

Shopping around is always a good idea and can help you get the best deal on your cellular coverage. If you haven’t shopped around for a new carrier lately, now might be a good time to check for savings. Most carriers always have some kind of incentive for customers to switch; and, you might even get a great price on a new phone. Prices can vary by hundreds of dollars per month depending on what kind of plan you need, how many people are on your plan, and what carrier you go with. Generally Verizon is the most expensive, whereas Sprint and T-Mobile are usually much more affordable.

2 Cut Your Phone's Insurance (Maybe)

Depending on your clumsy-level, you may or may not need insurance for your device. If you think you can go without it, it could save you hundreds of dollars per year. For example, Verizon wireless has an insurance plan for three devices starting at $34.99 per month. This equates to $419 per year. At the end of the day, if insurance isn’t as important to you as saving money, it may be something you can consider cutting out. Taking care of your device and investing in a good sturdy case can prevent accidents and help you save a little more. But keep in mind, insurance can be a lifesaver.

1 Use a Family Plan

Bundling your family into one plan should save you quite a bit of money. Many cell phone carriers offer unlimited or shared data plans for families. Choosing a plan without unlimited options or lower data rates can save you even more. Just be careful that all of your family members are on board with keeping their data usage to a minimum. If you don’t have a family, you may want to team up with some friends to keep your monthly bill low.

These are just a few ideas for saving you a few bucks on your monthly cell phone plan. Keep an eye on carrier websites and do your research to find great deals! If you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below and on social media.