Mark Greene
There is no denying that most of us spend too much time on our phones. In fact, as a society, we have become very reliant on them. Whether you use your phone to socialise or use it for work purposes, it is no secret that most of us need them in our everyday lives.
Use Wi-fi When You Can
One of the most common issues of overspending comes down to data usage. Most of us use our phones to surf the web. In fact, In the first quarter of 2021, mobile devices generated 54.8% of global website traffic. So, it is no surprise that most of us end up overspending on our data. There are a few things you can do to keep these costs to a minimum and one of the most effective solutions is to use wi-fi when you can.
In most public places you can connect to wi-fi and if you are wanting to access the internet on the go then think wisely about how much data you have. Connecting to wi-fi will allows you to surf the internet without using any data. So, it is a no brainer if you want to help cut those monthly bill costs.
Cap Your Bill
Are you a notorious over spender? It’s time to cap that bill! Most providers now offer you the opportunity to cap your bill so you can stop spending over a certain amount each month. For example, if you cap your bill at £5, it will prevent you from spending anymore when you’ve reach £5 of extra usage. Sure, it can be a little frustrating if you always go over your bill, but it will help you get into the habit of using less calls, minutes and texts each month.
Capping your bill is hugely beneficial for your budget as it will help you get rid of any nasty bill surprises. That way, you can stay on top of your finances and learn how to better manage your mobile usage.
Switch To A SIM-Only Plan
If you are happy with your current handset and don’t feel the need to keep up to date with the latest smartphone releases, then a SIM-Only plan could be the ideal solution to help you save money on your phone bill. SIM-Only plans are so cost-effective because you don’t need to pay for the price of a handset. Simply pop in your SIM that is loaded with your data, calls and minutes and you are good to go. Lebara are a provider that can help you as they offer a range of SIM only deals. Prices can start as little as £5 a month and their plans are 30 days rolling so you can change or cancel at any time that suits you.
Minimise Your Calls, Minutes and Data
One sure fire way you can minimise your monthly bill costs is by minimising your usage. So many of us overspend on our bill each month because we are paying for calls, data and minutes that we don’t even use. It can be a good idea to start monitoring your usage each month. That way, you are able to identify areas where you can cut down.
When it comes to texts, if you have a smartphone, it is typically free to send a message to another smartphone user as it uses the internet to send the message. This is something to bear in mind. If you are someone who hates talking over the phone, then ask yourself, do you really need all of those minutes? Cutting down on your usage is essential if you want to save those coins.
Keep The Same Handset
It is no secret that new smartphones can cost you a lot of money. Many industry giants are pricing their new releases at over $1000. If you want to save money, it’s best to stick to the handset that you have. Ask yourself, do you really need the latest phone release? Realistically, your current phone will have everything you need to make calls, send messages and surf the web.
Keeping the same handset will save you a lot of money and by keeping the same phone you’ve always had you can take advantage of SIM-Only deals as previously discussed. If you are someone who is clumsy and have a tendency to lose or break your phone, then it could be worth taking out some insurance to ensure that your handset will last for longer. Although, this will increase your monthly bill so you will have to consider if it is worth it or not.
Ask Your Provider for A Better Price
Too many of us settle for the same provider for a long period of time. However, you may be missing out on a better deal elsewhere. Don’t be afraid to look around for a more cost-effective deal that suits your requirements and needs. If you find a better deal elsewhere, discuss this with your provider. The chances are they will try to match the deal as they will want to keep your custom. It is always worth checking around for new deals as more often than not you will be able to save yourself some money on your monthly bill.
If you need help on how to negotiate with your phone provider, then conduct some online research of your own to help get you started. The key is to be confident in what you are asking for. Have you ever heard of the saying “You don’t get if you don’t ask”? Well, that rule certainly applies here. With the help of these handy tips above you will be saving plenty of money off your phone bill before you know it.
