5 Ways to Trim the Cost of Your Cellphone Plan

This post comes from partner site WhistleOut.com.

There was a time when cellphone plans came with strict usage restrictions and going over your limits could mean massive cellphone bills. Now those onerous overage charges are mostly a thing of the past. Still, there are plenty of us who are paying too much for our cellphone plans.

Here are five ways that you may be able to trim the fat from your bill.

1. Check your data usage

Perhaps the most common reason people pay too much for their cellphone plan is that they buy plans with more high-speed data than they need. It’s unnecessary to pay for an unlimited data plan if you only use 5GB of cellular data a month.

The problem is, not many of us know just how much data we use. The good news is that this information is easily found. Your carrier includes your data usage on each of your monthly bills and many carriers also have mobile apps that will help you track your data usage.

It’s a good idea to look back at the last 3 months of your data usage. If you are using less than you pay for, it’s time to think about getting a cheaper plan.

2. First, check your current carrier for lower data plans

If paying a little too much is your only gripe with your current carrier, take a look at their other plans. Most carriers offer several cellphone plans with varying prices. Consider getting a less expensive plan with a lower data limit if you don’t need as much as you currently buy.

3. Check with other carriers

Of course, your current carrier isn’t the only player in town, and switching to a different provider can be a great way to save on your cellphone plan. There are many to choose from — from major carriers to smaller MVNOs — offering varying levels of data at a range of price points.

4. Consider canceling your phone insurance

It might seem like a good idea to protect your phone with an insurance plan. However, it might not make the most financial sense. For most of us, paying for the rare repairs needed on our phones is far less expensive than continually paying a cellphone insurance premium. Buying a nice strong case for your phone is likely a better investment.

5. Check for add-ons you don’t need

Most cellphone carriers offer up add-ons to help you customize your plan. Common add-ons include international calling features, extra hotspot data, and entertainment. These features may bring extra value to your plan, but they do cost money. If you decide you needed a specific add-on for a month, make sure you aren’t still being charged for it after that month has passed. Check your bill to ensure you aren’t paying for any add-ons you do not want.

Now that you have a better idea about how to avoid overpaying for your cellphone bill, take a look at these plans to find one that best suits your needs.

More from WhistleOut.com:

• “5 Top Deals on Cellphones and Wireless Plans in October”
• “6 Valuable Freebies You Can Get With Your Cellphone Plan”
• “The Easiest Way to Move Your Cellphone Data to a New Phone”