High Cell Phone Bills: How to Cut Costs & Keep Talking

I love my cell phone.

I live by my cell phone.

I would die for my cell phone.

Well, maybe not that far.

What I am trying to get at is that, like millions, a cell phone is an essential tool in my every day life. On more than one occasion, I have forgotten that I only had 700 minutes and have stayed on the phone for more than my allotted time. As a result, I would end up with a nearly $150 cell phone bill that did not suppose to go over $70. It was $80 down the drain but I have learned my lesson.

If high cell phone costs are leaving dents in your bank account, then these tips may alleviate you from wireless woes.

Think realistically about potential minutes used.

Consumers tend to look more at the cost of the plan instead of what minutes are available in the proposed plan.

For example, the consumer signs up for the Nation 450 Plan with Cingular. The talker uses all 450 minutes plus an additional 100 minutes. 100 minutes may not seem like a lot but it is when each additional minute is .45/minute. Not only does the customer have to pay his normal $39.99 (plus taxes and surcharges) but now an additional $45 for his overage. The bill is now $100.00! For a lesser price, the talker could have gotten a 1350 minute plan for only $80.

Don't fall for the luxuries.

Back in the day, mobile phones were just that... phones. Fast forward to present day and they also include cameras, video cameras, MP3 players, FM radio and of course, internet access. These features are all neat and dandy but to utilize them to their full advantage, it costs more money that you must pay on a monthly basis.

If you eliminate the $20 fee each month for unlimited internet access and picture mail, in a year, you would have saved $240. Enough to purchase that nice camera or MP3 player you wanted.

Go old school: Get a landline phone.

Maybe it is just me but I hate to use my cell phone while I am at home. I primarily use my cell phone while I am out. When I am at home, kicking back in my humble abode, I use my home phone. Why use my expensive cellular minutes for local calls when I can make unlimited local calls from my landline?