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At this stage, smartphones are a necessity, not a want. You need a smartphone to communicate with your colleagues, friends, and family, and there’s an expectation of always being “on.” But most cellphone contracts are so expensive that it forces many people to limit their data usage.
However, you don’t have to go without to save money on your mobile data and monthly bills. You just have to make some creative choices and shop around for low-cost phone companies.
How to Save a Lot of Money on Your Monthly Phone Bill
For many Americans, high-cost contracts are a reality. If you’re tired of paying a fortune every month just to text or take calls, try these 10 tips that’ll help you lower your phone bill.
1. Use WiFi Whenever Possible
One of the easiest ways to save on your mobile data and monthly bills is to use WiFi whenever possible. When you use WiFi, you’re not eating up your data, which you could end up paying for if you exceed your monthly limit. Use a VPN to protect your IP address when using public WiFi.
2. Download Data-Saving Apps
There are dozens of apps that can help you save a fortune on your phone bills while protecting your data, such as GlassWire. All apps show your data usage in real time, including how your phone uses your data. They can also compress data, block ads, and perform other functions.
3. Only Use Data-Friendly Services
Some services, like WhatsApp and Line, allow you to send messages and make calls over the internet rather than using your mobile data. With that said, you’ll need a WiFi hotspot to use them. Still, if you limit yourself to these apps, you’ll be less likely to use your data in the future.
4. Consider Switching Phone Providers
If you are unhappy with your current mobile provider or the cost of your monthly bill, it may be worth switching to a different provider. If you live in Australia, the iSelect mobile phone plans comparison website can set you up with the right phone provider and plan for your needs.
5. Turn Off Automatic App Updates
Many apps are set to automatically update in the background, which can use a lot of data. If they update when you’re out and about, you could get a high bill at the end of the month. For this reason, turn off automatic app updates and only update them when connected to WiFi.
6. Turn Off Data When Not in Use
If you are not using your mobile data, it’s a good idea to turn it off to save on your monthly bill. You can do this by going into your phone’s settings and turning off mobile data when it is not needed. You can set your phone to restrict mobile data access when you’re not using WiFi.
7. Be Mindful of Your Data Usage
You should monitor your data usage to ensure you’re not using more data than you need. In settings, you can allow push notifications that activate when you’re close to your cap. However, you need to set your own cap, as your phone may not have access to your phone plan data.
8. Change to a Less Expensive Data Plan
If you’re constantly using too much data, consider switching to a less expensive data plan. If you absolutely have to use a high amount of data, check if your phone company has a cheaper plan that includes a similar data cap. Data tends to get cheaper with time, so keep checking back.
9. Take Advantage of Discounts and Promotions
Many cell phone providers offer discounts and promotions on their data plans, both to loyal and new customers. Subscribe to your provider’s mailing list, look on their website, or call them directly to ask about their deals. If you’re lucky, some of their discounts or promotions will stack.
10. Turn on a Mobile Hotspot
While you shouldn’t use a mobile hotspot when you’re not connected to WiFi, you can avoid paying for internet on two devices if one uses the hotspot you set up. For example, if you want to go on the internet on your tablet, you can turn on your mobile hotspot and use its WiFi.