When it comes to saving money, many people look far and wide, but the answer may be on their phone — literally.
Even if your phone bill is one of the smallest expenses you have, there’s a possibility that you’re spending $20-$40 too much.
This article is going to show you how to save money on your phone bill. Follow these steps to cut expenses.
1. Evaluate Your Current Plan
Check your monthly data, call, and text usage. If you consistently use less than what your plan offers, you may switch to a cheaper plan.
Be aware of any contractual obligations you might have. Sometimes, staying on a plan after a contract ends can be more expensive than switching.
When you find a plan that works for you, it’s time to take action:
2. Downgrade Your Data Plan
A lot of wireless providers have removed the option to downgrade plans from their websites and apps. That’s why you need to call your phone service provider.
To downgrade your data plan, you need to call your wireless carrier. Here are there phone numbers:
AT&T: 1-800-331-0500
T-Mobile: 1-877-453-1304
Verizon: 1-800-922-0204
3. Start A Family Plan
T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all give their biggest discounts to people on a family plan.
For example, a family plan of four costs about $120, while a single line can as high as $75 with the leading wireless companies.
Make sure you compare prices between the different carriers, so that you can find the cheapest cell phone plan.
4. Qualify For A Discount
If you’re in the military, a veteran or senior citizen you may be able to save as much as $10 month on your days plan.
Make sure you review the many organizations you may be a part of. Chances are, you qualify for a rebate or reduced plan because of your affiliations.
5. Buy A Refurbished Phone
Who says you have to buy a new phone when a pre-owned one works fine?
In some cases you can save up to 80% on the cost of a phone when you choose a refurbished one.
Here are some refurbished phones for sale on Amazon.
All of the phone providers give you an average of $5 off if you choose to enable autopay for your monthly bill.
The savings come to $64 a year if you can make it the full 12 months. That’s not bad.
7. Don’t Get Phone Insurance
If you want to keep your monthly phone bill down, don’t opt for phone insurance.
If you’ve ever filed a claim on a broken phone (I have), even with insurance there are instances where you still have to pay.
Final Words
If you want to stay connected to the world, your phone bill is one expense that you can’t live without. The good news is that you can save money along the way.
Metro Atlanta’s hot economy has slowed of late due to the COVID-19, but that’s OK. Check out our Coronavirus Resource Guide and find out how to make and save money.
We currently have job articles that show you high-paying jobs, those close to downtown and even side hustles you might like.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.
Tee Johnson: Tee Johnson is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of AtlantaFi.com, Atlanta’s independent hyper-local publication focused on news, restaurants, events, jobs, neighborhoods, and lifestyle. A 15+ year Atlanta resident and longtime journalist and content creator, she covers Travel News, Events, Business, Hair Care, and Money with a practical, Atlanta-first lens.
Before launching the site, Johnson worked as a substitute teacher in Atlanta Public Schools and later in corporate roles at Home Depot’s Vinings offices.
A marketer by training with a degree in business management, she grew frustrated with the fragmented, hard-to-find information about what was actually happening in the city. That gap led her to create AtlantaFi as a curated, one-stop resource for the pulse of Atlanta—#ATLHAPS—without the national noise. Editorial decisions remain independent; the publication does not accept products, meals, or services in exchange for coverage.
As Editor-in-Chief, she oversees original local reporting and curated practical guides that help residents, visitors, and businesses discover and engage with the city. Readers turn to her work for timely event roundups, dining and neighborhood insights, business and travel updates, and straightforward money and lifestyle coverage grounded in firsthand observation of Atlanta.
A devoted lover of all things Atlanta, Tee enjoys pickleball, a good margarita or bourbon, and walking the Atlanta Beltline. She can be reached for editorial inquiries at tjohnson@atlantafi.com (serious inquiries only).