You’ve probably already figured this one out: cell phone bills are pricey. The average American is now shelling out around $110 per month on cell phone service. How much you pay will depend on several things, including how much data you use, how much your state charges in taxes, and whether you are on a financing plan or buying your phone outright.
You’re probably overpaying if you spend more than $100 a month (for an individual). Here are some tips for slashing that bill. However, there are X great ways to cut that excessive phone bill and save big.
Phone Deals, Smart Deals, and More: 10 Ways to Reduce Your Phone Bill
While skipping the latest phone upgrades and taking advantage of discounts can help, there are even more ways to lower your monthly phone bill and cut unnecessary expenses. Whether you have a family plan, a single line, or need unlimited data, making a few strategic changes can help you save money every month.
1. Find the Right Plan for You
The easiest way to save the most money on your plan is to ensure you’re signed up for the best plan that fits your needs. You don’t want to pay for data that you don’t use or face charges for sending more than your allotted texts. Likewise, why pay for unlimited talk if you always use messaging apps?
Comparing cell phone plans can be difficult and confusing, but WhistleOut takes the stress out of it. Enter some info about your phone, usage, and network, and it will tell you which plan offers the best value.
2. Know Your Limits and Be Smart About Data Usage
Download My Data Manager, an app you can use to track your data usage and know which apps are using the most data. This can help you monitor your actual usage and reign in video streaming and other data-intensive activities. My Data Manager also has useful features like an automatic alert when you get close to your plan’s limits or your chosen daily limits.
Stay under data limits by using Wi-Fi as much as possible, especially for activities like streaming video or making face-to-face calls, which use the most data.
3. Skip the New Phone
Now that most major carriers have eliminated cell phone contracts and subsidies, there’s even less incentive to upgrade every time a new phone comes out. Sticking with an older phone or buying a used phone instead of a new one will greatly reduce your monthly bills.
4. Just Say No to Insurance
Unless you’re prone to losing or breaking your phone often, it’s usually a smarter financial decision to skip insurance on your phone. Instead, keep an older phone as a backup in case your current phone breaks or is lost, or set aside the money you would have spent on insurance as an emergency account you can tap should something happen to your cell.
5. Take Advantage of Discounts
All of the major carriers except T-Mobile have discount programs affiliated with some schools and large employers, as well as for military members. Enter your affiliated email address into the discount page on the carrier’s site to see if you qualify.
6. Consider Prepaid or Smaller Carriers
Many carriers offer prepaid plans that eliminate extra fees and monthly payments for financed phones. Companies like Mint Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Cricket Wireless don’t have their own networks; instead, they provide reliable phone service at a lower price by using the networks of larger providers.
If you are comfortable paying for your plan upfront, prepaid carriers offer some of the best deals for reducing your monthly cell phone bill.
7. Join a Family Plan or Group Plan
Most major carriers offer discounts for multiple lines, making a family plan one of the best ways to save monthly money on your cell phone bill. Combining four lines or more on a group plan often results in significant savings if you have friends, family members, or even roommates looking to cut costs.
Even if you don’t have family members to join your plan, some services allow you to join group plans with others to reduce your monthly bill.
8. Avoid Extra Fees and Hidden Charges
Many people unknowingly overpay for their monthly phone bill due to hidden fees and unnecessary add-ons. Common charges that drive up cell phone costs include:
-Activation fees when upgrading or switching carriers
-Roaming charges for international travel
-Premium data add-ons when high-speed data is not necessary
-Phone insurance that may not be needed if you keep an old phone as a backup
Check your phone bill regularly to see what charges you can eliminate. Many people don’t realize they are paying for services they don’t use.
9. Trade In Your Old Phone Instead of Buying New
Buying a new phone outright or financing it through a cell phone carrier can add hundreds of dollars to your monthly bill per month. Instead of paying full price for the latest smartphone, consider trade-in programs or buying a used or refurbished phone.
Trade-ins allow you to:
-Apply the value of your old phone toward a new device, reducing upfront costs.
-Avoid activation fees that often come with new lines.
-Save money on monthly payments if you finance a new phone.
If your current phone still works well, delaying an upgrade and keeping your old phone longer is one of the easiest ways to lower your cell phone bill.
10. Compare Phone Plans and Switch Carriers
Many people stick with the same phone plans for years without realizing they could get a better deal elsewhere. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile frequently update their offers, meaning you may be overpaying for features you don’t need.
Before your contract renews, compare your cell phone plan with competitors to see if you can get a better deal. Some mobile carriers even offer to pay off your current phone or contract if you switch, making finding a more affordable plan easier.
Switch From Your Carrier Locked Phone with Gazelle
The average cell phone bill is higher than it should be for many people, but taking simple steps like switching carriers, limiting data usage, and joining a group plan can make a huge difference. You can reduce your monthly bill and keep more money in your pocket by cutting unnecessary expenses, taking advantage of trade-in programs, and using Wi-Fi whenever possible.
However, providers don’t want you to easily switch your plans. That’s why they tend to lock phones and prevent you from moving freely between providers. If you have a phone you can’t unlock and want to switch, you can sell it to Gazelle.
After selling your old phone, buy one of Gazelle’s affordable, unlocked, refurbished devices. With Gazelle, you can count on a certified refurbished seal of quality and know your phone will work how it should. Saving on great tech today is as easy as choosing Gazelle whenever you need to buy a new-for-you phone.
FAQs
How much is a phone bill for a month?
The cost of a phone bill per month varies depending on the cell phone carrier, phone model, plan features, and how many lines are included. An average monthly phone bill in the U.S. is around $110, but you can do much lower with budget plans from providers like Boost Mobile. Switching to a prepaid plan or choosing a lower-tier plan with limited data can help reduce cell phone costs.
How much is AT&T cell phone bill?
AT&T offers a range of cell phone plans, with prices depending on plan options, data limits, and the number of lines on the account. A single-line unlimited data plan starts at around $65 per month before fees and taxes, while a family plan with four lines can cost around $160. Promotions and trade-in deals can sometimes lower new customers’ monthly cell phone bills.
How much does a single phone plan cost?
A single phone plan typically costs between $50 and $100 per month, depending on the cell phone carrier and whether the plan includes unlimited data, mobile hotspot data, and high-speed data. Prepaid plans from companies like Mint Mobile can be as low as $15 per month, while major carriers like Verizon and AT&T charge more for premium features. The best deal depends on data usage and whether you need international calling or other features.
How much are phone bills per year?
The average phone bill for an individual in the U.S. is around $110 per month, up to about $1,320 per year. However, costs can be higher for those who finance a new phone, have multiple lines, or pay for premium services. Reducing phone plans, limiting data usage, and using Wi-Fi can help save money on cell phone bills over the year.