Reduce Your Cell Phone Bill
Are you in a position where your cell phone contract is up, and you’re free to shop around? This is the best time to try to grab better terms for your monthly plan. Call several carriers before talking with your current provider to see what they can do for you. I have one friend who is saving $60 a month on her family’s voice and data usage plan from Verizon (she had a pretty hefty plan so this is on the high end of savings to expect).
Do you still have months and months left on your contract? That’s okay – you still might save a few bucks on your phone bill every month, particularly if you’re paying for an unlimited call plan. Most carriers will honor a $69.99 monthly rate for unlimited calls, according to Jill Brady, director for Sackrider, a cool new handbag museum. Jill needs to make tons of calls to secure awesome vintage handbags for the museum, and she’s already saved $45 on her phone bill in just a month and a half!
Now to be honest, I did just call AT&T to see if they would reduce my phone bill. There are two reasons they couldn’t help me – 1) I have the iPhone so they know I’m locked in. I can’t wait for Verizon and other carriers to jump in on this monopoly so I can have some leverage with ole AT&T. And 2) I currently pay for the cheapest voice plan which costs $39.99 per month, and they claim there are no “promotional rates” for this basic plan. At least I am saving six percent through my current employer!
Hey, ten minutes might end up saving you $30 bucks a month. And while you’re at it, ask if your cell phone carrier offers any discounts for the company you work for or any associations you belong to. You never know until you ask!
By: Gale Bowman
4-15-2010
After graduating from Notre Dame, Gale realized that young professionals need a source of reliable information as they face “real world” challenges. Gale manages WhatCollegeForgot.com and is pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
.jpg)
