Get Cheaper Wireless Service
Cellular doesn't need to be expensive, but costs can get out of control if you're not paying attention. The wireless companies take advantage of this, but with some simple steps, you can save some significant coin. You might not need to change carriers. Our ideas are listed in order of increasing difficulty.

Switch to a Better Plan:
Possibly as many as 80% of wireless customers are on the wrong plan. You can save by switching to a cheaper plan that more closely matches your usage, one that includes more features you now pay extra for, or one that includes more minutes which keeps you from paying expensive overages. Most carriers will help you evaluate your usage over the past year and tell you which plans would be best. This is a call you can make on the way to work. If someone in your family uses more Text or Data than Voice, there are plans with Data-only, or Unlimited Data with some extra Voice minutes or Unlimited minutes to wireless numbers. You might be able to cut the number of "anytime" minutes needed by adding Mobile to Mobile or Night & Weekend minutes. If a promotional plan requires a new 2-year contract, time it to coincide with your next phone purchase. Want to admit you're over 65? More inexpensive plans become available.

Add a Texting or Data Package:
If you're paying by the message, look into Messaging "Packages". Also, many people now get "family" voice packages but don't take advantage of Family Messaging and Data plans, which could save a lot.

Block or Limit Usage:
You can prevent the kids from downloading too many ringtones or apps by blocking data downloads on their, or your, account. You can also set up warning messages that account limits have been reached. Some carriers offer these usage controls for free, others charge as much as $5 per month, but it may be well worth it. Some of these features can be set up and changed online.

Your Employer, School or Organization Might Get You a Discount:
If you work for a large company, government agency or university, you probably qualify for a discount, as much as 25%. This may include phones for yourself and all your family. Check our Employee Discount Page or ask your personnel department (instead of the boss), sometimes the carrier will help you look. It may require a change of wireless companies.

Cancel Unused Features:
The most common unused product is handset insurance. Unless you have really bad luck, insurance won't pay off when phone replacement still may cost you up to a $125 deductible. Most wireless companies will give you a deal on a new phone just for re-upping for another 2 years. You also may have an old plan that charges extra for features like long distance, or does not include mobile to mobile calls. You may be better off dropping long distance if you make few long distance calls, or see Change Plans.

Use Broadband for Your Calls:
There are several apps that allow you to use services like Google Voice for both incoming and outgoing calls. At the simplest you can just access your voice mail features while some services actually let you make and receive calls. Texting can be as easy as using email. This saves you money when you have a "data-only" plan, have used up your monthly allotment of minutes, or you're roaming in a foreign or high-priced area. A wi-fi connection to your phone makes it even cheaper, or free.

Change Your Billing Address:
Change your address to one in a state or municipality that charges a lower tax. California has very high cell phone taxes, Nevada is among the lowest, especially outside Clark County. You might just change from one city in your state to another, or to a location in an unincorporated area. You can choose to receive an e-statement from your carrier and you can enter a hotel address in your chosen location. You should not need to change your phone number unless you choose a location out of your carrier's coverage area. Make sure your savings is worth the effort.

Government Support and Subsidies:
Most wireless carriers offer a government-subsidized "Lifeline" or "Link-Up" service at a significantly reduced cost. Lifeline support lowers the cost of basic, monthly local telephone service and can be Free or just a few dollars per month. An eligible customer may receive the Lifeline discount on either a wireline or wireless connection but the discount is available for only one account per household. Qualifying programs are either determined by each state's Public Utility Commission or the federal Lifeline/Link-Up program. Some states and U.S. territories do not provide state-funded discounts, but in most cases, an individual is eligible if he or she participates in any one of several public-assistance programs. Get more on our $1 Wireless Page.

Say You're Leaving:
Carriers are doing more to retain customers now. Ask your current carrier if they can give you an incentive to stay put. You'll need to be out of contract to be serious, but there are ways to get out of your contract. Being transferred to the "cancellation department" is where you'll get the incentives. If you decide to actually leave, see How to Switch.

Check Out the Competition:
All carriers have a lot of different plans and a bunch of incentives to get you to leave your old carrier, including the fact that you can take your current wireless number with you. Don't leave while still under contract. You might find a plan that fits your usage better. Don't forget the competition includes a lot of smaller cellular carriers that can save you substantially. MetroPCS and Cricket Wireless offer Unlimited features for as much as half the cost of the top 4 carriers. Some very local companies can offer surprisingly affordable service. Check their maps to make sure you won't get surprise roaming charges. Also see How to Switch.

Switch to Prepaid:
You may be able to use your current phone or carrier and start paying by the minute instead of by the month. There are choices among the major carriers as well as substantial deals among prepaid-only companies like TracFone who offer nationwide coverage. See the Guide to Switching to Prepaid.

Watch Your Minutes:
Nearly every carrier has a code, often *MIN, sometimes available through "611", that tells your remaining balance, to help you avoid overage charges. Use the code and know your billing date and if you get close to your maximum, think about using your work phone or home landline more for a few days. Some carriers now offer an alert to tell you when you're getting close to your plan limits.

Don't Pay Huge Data Roaming Rates While Traveling Outside the Country or Off Your Home Network:
Many Smart phones have the ability to turn off cellular data access and use free, or cheap, wi-fi. T-Mobile phones can make regular calls through any wi-fi connection in the world but will use your regular calling minutes, although with no long distance charges.

Don't Overpay for International Calls:
Some carriers, like TracFone, offer free international calls to a number of countries. Others, like Metro PCS, provide unlimited international calls for a set fee. You can also use the wi-fi features of some phones to use service like Skype, and even using the Skype app on some Verizon Wireless phones does not incur long distance charges even on calls made through the Verizon network. You can also program a prepaid calling card code in to your phone book. There are several inexpensive international long distance services available through your phone's broadband connection.

Don't Overpay for Roaming Outside the US:
There are lots of options for using a wireless phone in foreign countries. In some cases you can save with your current phone and wireless carrier. See International Roaming.