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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > October > 23
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Dialed In: Shrink Those Cell Phone Bills
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My family cell phone bill arrived the other day. When I noticed the ring-tone and game downloads, along with way-over-the-limit minutes from calls to scattered cities across America with which I have no connection, I started to dial the guilty party — my son, who lives elsewhere — and read him the riot act. Then I figured that might further inflate next month’s bill, so my strategy switched to putting a lid on costs.
Your carrier might be able to prevent certain add-ons from occurring. My son once had text messaging, which always struck me as a luxury, so I contacted my carrier and blocked it.
What’s your take on text messaging? Optional? Or (a) necessary (evil)?
It’s wise to calculate minutes burned each month to help select the proper plan. Ideally, you want a minutes-per-month plan slightly above your typical usage. If it’s much higher, you’re wasting dollars. If it’s too low, you’re getting slammed with usage charges. (Hugs and kisses to whoever first offered rollover minutes.)
Avoid calling directory assistance, which could cause a hole in your pocket.
And do you really need caller ID, call waiting or three-party calling? Be honest now.
If you can, place calls during the graveyard shift, generally from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. On my plan, the minutes’ clock stops during those hours.
For more cell phone savings ideas:. Here’s another site.
What ways have you discovered to reduce your cell phone tab?
I just got off the horn with my carrier, which agreed to “unsubscribe” us to any downloads on the account I share with my son. I can’t wait to call him with the news. Here’s hoping he has his phone turned on between 9 and 6.
Looking for other ways to save? Check out Your Money
