I'm sharing this information with you "Because I'm Happy", kinda like how Pharrell Williams was after he penned his hit song. I'm always happy about finding ways to invest and my #1 priority is helping you invest in yourself. Some of my favorite ways of investing myself are: 1) Saving for a rainy day, 2) Investing for short/long term gains, and 3) Cutting Your Costs.
Today we are talking about cutting the cell phone costs that plague many people. As important as your cell phone is, I tell people to try and be rationale where possible and save yourself a few bucks. I personally do not have a $80+ dollar phone bill and as you read from my previous article I will not enter into a contract unless its on my terms. It turns out there are more people out there that are beginning to adopt this same strategy and its forced the cell phone companies to give us plans that we actually need, instead of paying for a plan I don't use.
Quick ways to save big bucks on your cell phone
1) Minutes - Go with the basic minutes plan and jump on a carrier that most of your friends and family are on. You will benefit from free mobile to mobile minutes.
2) Text - Ease up on the one the word texts and pick up the phone and actually use those minutes every now and them. Or drop the text plan and take advantage of the many popular apps which let you text, talk or video message: "Whatsapp", "Viber", "Google Hangouts", "Blackberry IM", Apple Messenger", and "Skype" to reduce your reliance on carrier text plans. It's no secret why Whatsapp has 450 Million users worldwide.
3) Data - In as few words as possible, use WIFI. Its everywhere: Many people at work have access to WIFI, and don't forget to make a quick mental note of places like Starbucks, Staples, Home Depot, McDonalds, Jimmy Johns, and other retailers that offer you free WIFI when you are on the go.
Learn what you can live without and I've learned that WIFI is everywhere and I don't really need data. But cutting costs may also mean upgrading your plan if the price is right. If I can get a cheaper plan with unlimited minutes, text, and I can add data...then I might add something I want...but don't need. :)
Chart Courtesy of Techlicious.com:
Link to Techlicious Article: Cheapest Cell Phone Plans
| AT&T | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile | MetroPCS | US Cellular | Virgin | Boost | |
| Indv. Plan with some data | $45 300MB | $55 250MB | $55 1GB | $50 500MB*** | $40 500MB | $80 300MB | $55 2.5GB*** | $55** 2.5GB*** |
| Indv. Plan with 1 GB data | $70 1GB | $80 1GB | $55 1GB | $60 2.5GB*** | $50 2.5GB | $90 1GB | $55 2.5GB*** | $55** 2.5BG*** |
| Family Plan with some data (2 smartphones/ 2 feature) | $70* 300MB | $155* 250MB | $70 500MB/line | $180 300MB | ||||
| Family Plan with 2GB data (2 smartphone/ 2 feature) | $105 2GB | $190 2GB | $90 2.5BG/line | $200 2GB | ||||
| Family Plan with some data (4 smartphones) | $160 10GB | $175* 250MB | $160 1GB/line | $100 500MB***/line | $140 500MB/line | $200 300MB | ||
| Family Plan with 4GB data (4 smartphones | $160 10GB | $230 4GB | $160 1GB/line | $140 2.5GB***/line | $180 2.5GB/line | $230 4GB | ||
| Additional cost per month to use smartphone as a hotspot | $0 Included | $0 Included | $10 1GB | $0 Included | n/a | $0 Included | $15 | $10 |
Note: Chart shows the least expensive plan available to meet the criteria set forth: unlimited text, unlimited calling and specified data package. Prices provided by carrier, with exception of T-Mobile and Sprint, whose most recent prices were pulled from their website February 21, 2014. Pricing based on you bringing your own device, where possible. Some carriers do not support feature phones.
