There was a time when, if you wanted to reach someone, you had to call their office or their land line. Today, however, everyone has a portable phone attached to their hip or in their back pocket. Improvements in mobile phone technology have made our lives infinitely easier, but they do come with certain drawbacks - the main problem with cell phones is that they are expensive to keep! Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to save money on your cell phone bill.

Tips for Saving Money on Your Cell Phone

Cell phones come in all shapes and sizes with some models performing impressive features that would normally be limited to a top-of-the-line computer. Unfortunately, as cell phone technology gets better, the costs get bigger.

You may find yourself paying not only for your phone service on a monthly basis, but you could be paying extra for mobile data, text messaging, insurance, and more. To cut costs and save money on your phone bill, try some of the six simple strategies reviewed below:
  1. Consider switching to a no-contract deal. Many cell service carriers offer discounts on new phones if you sign a two-year agreement. What you may not realize, however, is that you could save a lot of money on your monthly bill if you purchase the phone outright and sign up for a no-contract deal.
  2. Take advantage of free texting apps. If your cell service carrier charges extra for text messaging you can get around it by using one of many free text messaging apps like WhatsApp.
  3. Be mindful of roaming charges. If you attempt to use your cell phone outside of your carrier's coverage area, you could be charged hefty roaming fees. Make sure to check with your carrier before you travel and consider a prepaid plan for international travel.
  4. Don't overextend your data plan. Even if your cell phone service includes mobile data, the amount you get to use without being charged extra is probably limited. Make sure you know how much data is included in your plan and keep track of it on your phone. Minimize your data usage by connecting to Wi-Fi were it is available and minimize your use of data-draining features like HD video streaming, face-to-face video calls, and mobile gaming.
  5. Switch to an unlimited plan. If you find that you use a lot of data, or if you share your cell phone plan with your family, it may be worth switching to an unlimited plan. These plans may be a little more expensive but it could end up being cheaper than paying for limited data and then going over your limit every month.
  6. Consider switching to a prepaid service. Some of the biggest cell service carriers offer prepaid options which can help to minimize your costs. You can still get a smartphone with these plans and you don't have to worry about unexpected fees since everything is paid upfront.
Whether you have the latest smartphone or an outdated flip phone, mobile phone service charges can be hefty and unexpected fees can add up quickly. To save money on your cell phone bill, put some of the six simple strategies outlined above to work.

Frugal Village