If you want your financial life to improve, you have to be willing to stretch yourself in ways you never have before. Are you trying to get out of debt? Do you want to save money for an emergency fund, vehicle, or vacation? Whatever your financial goal, one of the best ways to reach it faster is to find ways to reduce your spending.
Like most people, I’m a huge fan of saving money. I opt for reusable products when I can. I look for ways to conserve energy and reduce my utility bills. I even put together this guide on 30+ ways to save money with some of my favorite tips.
One area where I found some extra room for savings in my budget was my cell phone bill. Believe it or not, a few simple changes can lower your cell phone bill and add up meaningfully over time.
A great way to save money when it comes to your wireless plan is to learn what the competition has to offer. If you’re looking for a discount carrier, there’s no shortage of options you can consider:
Several of the plans above require you to use less data or deal with slower speeds than you might enjoy on higher-cost plans. Perks like mobile hotspots may be limited or restricted with discount cellular plans too.
Are any of the above are deal breakers for you? If so, you can still consider other ways to potentially lower your cell phone bill with your current cell phone company.
Many cellular carriers offer you a break when you sign up for multiple lines. So, if you need wireless service for several phones and tablets, you could save more money across the board.
Here are a few examples of how much you might save:
Even if you don’t pay for cellular service on multiple phones yourself, you might be able to sign up for a shared plan with family members or friends you trust. Splitting the cost with other trustworthy loved ones can reduce the price everyone on the plan pays for coverage.
Using auto pay for your monthly bill is another way to cut the cost of your wireless service potentially. Numerous carriers offer autopay discounts, including:
Before you opt for automatic payments, be sure your budget can handle them. The last thing you want is to rack up overdraft fees from automatic payments because you didn’t plan for them in advance.
Over the years, I’ve found that negotiating with service providers is a great way to save money. Cell phone companies spend piles of advertising dollars every year, trying to attract new customers. You can leverage this knowledge to your advantage.
Saving money on your cell phone bill may be as simple as calling up your wireless carrier and asking for a better price. When you call, let the customer service representative know that you’re thinking about canceling. You’ll likely be transferred to a customer retention specialist.
From there, let customer retention know that you’ve been looking at offers from other mobile phone carriers. Ask if they’re willing to match those better deals to keep you on board as a customer. (It helps to have some specific offers on hand to reference during the call.)
When you’re trying to improve your budget, it’s critical to find ways to control your spending. There may be some conveniences you’re willing to cut altogether — perhaps a daily Starbucks trip or cable TV. Yet you can’t cut all expenses from your life.
Of course, just because you can’t cut an expense, like your cell phone bill, doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Lowering the cost of your cell phone bill can help you find more money to put toward the financial goals that matter most to you. Repeat this process in other areas of your budget, and these small changes can add up to something exciting in time.