Money Sense Tips

Saving money where possible is always a benefit and your monthly phone bill is no exception. Regardless of whether you use a cell phone or a landline, there are many ways to cut down on your bill.

Use the following tips to save money on your monthly phone bill.

- Make sure you have the right plan. This is especially true with a cell phone. Why should you pay for minutes that you are not using? Choosing a plan that is too big for your needs can be costing you more. The same goes for a plan that contains too few minutes as most companies charge per minute overage charges. These rates are usually higher than the bundled minutes.

- Cell phones usually come with many extra add-on services. If you are not using these services, have your phone company remove them. You will see an instant savings in your monthly bill.

- If you are using a landline, there are several choices you can use, with digital phone being one of the best options. Digital phone services, typically offered through your cable company, usually include free long-distance calls. Cable companies also offer discounts for bundled service such as cable, internet and phone. Other phone services such as Verizon charge an extra per minute fee for long-distance calls.

– In the last few years, Magic Jack has become quite popular. The service offers phone service for an annual fee that many providers cannot beat: $19.95. The original cost is $39.95, which includes a year of service. A free phone number is provided and there are no hidden charges. There are specifications that apply to using Magic Jack so be sure to do your research on the product before choosing it as your provider.

- Skype is another popular online software program. It does require a download to your computer, but the software is free. Skype is free of charge to talk, chat and video chat as long as the recipient also has Skype. Skype does allow outside calls to be made on Skype credit. The only downside to Skype is that it is not considered a replacement for your landline and no emergency calling can be made on Skype.

- Do not forget to comparison shop. Make a list of all of the services that you need and shop around for the best price. It may be time-consuming, but the monthly savings will be worth the effort.

There are several ways you can cut your monthly phone bill. Check your plans to make sure you have the right plan for your needs. Too few or too many minutes will result in overage charges that will hike your phone bill. Just as there are many options for cell phones, there are many options for landlines as well. Shop around and compare companies before committing to one service. Taking the time to shop around will ensure that you lower your monthly service bill and save money.