Save on Phone Bill

As families get more spread out and phone plans become more complex, it can be harder to keep in touch while still finding ways to save on phone bills. But with careful consideration of different options and honest acknowledgement of necessary services, anyone can find ways to trim the bill without scrimping on phone calls.

Save on Phone Bills: What You Don’t Need

The easiest way to save money on your phone bill is to eliminate services you don’t need. For example, many companies offer bundled packages of phone service with a variety of features such as voice mail, call waiting, and caller ID for one low rate they bill as their “best value.” The final price may indeed be a great value, but if you don’t regularly use all those services, you are paying more for items you don’t need.

Incidentally, many people also assume they do need all those services, but an answering machine can easily take the place of voice mail, and eliminating call waiting also eliminates the hassle of balancing two conversations at once.

There are many other phone services available that needlessly pad your bill. To save money on phone bills by eliminating these unnecessary amenities, remember to:

• Use the phone book instead of calling information for a simple phone number.
• Use your phone’s redial function instead of opting for automatic redialing and callback services.

By simply refusing to use more costly services, it is possible to realize substantial savings on your phone bill.

Saving Tips for Long Distance

Long distance rates are constantly fluctuating, and long distance calls are often the most expensive part of an individual’s phone bill. To find cheap long distance, consider:

• Calling only during reduced rate periods – typically nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Investigating dial-around numbers (10-10 numbers) to choose long distance carriers with lower rates than those registered with your telephone company.
• Choosing a family calling plan that offers reduced rates to specific individuals or regions (note that the best deals may require both parties to sign up for the plan).
• When calling a business or company, always look for a toll-free 1-800 number instead of dialing direct.
• Opt for phone cards instead of using local services. Prepaid cards with larger amounts of minutes offer the best rates.

Saving Tips for Cell Phones

Cell phone bills are often far more expensive than land lines, but it is easy to save on phone bills with these tips:

• Investigate phone plans that offer free phones or free minutes.
• Opt for minute plans that either roll over into the next month or that do not force you to pay for more time than you will use.
• Avoid the temptations of text messaging, downloading ring tones, and other extras that heavily pad a phone bill.
• Leave the cell phone at home when you travel to avoid roaming or out-of-area charges.
• Investigate calling plans to friends and family that offer reduced rates for popular calls.

Finding the Best Deal

With so many options available, it can be difficult to find the best deal on phone service. Phone rates and plans change frequently, but consumers should carefully consider new plans and look for hidden fees – additional taxes, monthly or annual fees, flat rate connection charges, termination fees, etc. – before succumbing to what looks like a great bargain. By understanding everything that goes into the final charges, it is easy to find ways to save on phone bills.

Ways to Save You’ve Never Considered

The most creative callers will find even more ways to save, including:

• Tax deducting long distance calls or portions of phone service related to an at-home business.
• Rediscovering written postcards or letters for quick notes, holidays, or “just because,” instead of lengthy telephone calls.
• Inquiring about low-income price breaks for qualifying households (this typically applies only to land lines).

Conclusion

A telephone is an essential tool for every family and business, but all the different features and amenities that come with that phone can unnecessarily add fees and charges to the bill. To save on phone bills, savvy consumers understand what features they do and do not need, will find ways to trim their long distance bills, and may even get creative and lower their bills far more than they expected.
[tag]money,save[/tag]