Inflation is putting a hole in a lot of people’s pockets. If you’re looking to save some money, then your cellphone bill might be the place to begin. Although looking at your bill may make you feel hopeless, there are many ways you can reduce the cost without having to give up the things that you need. These ten tips will help shave down the cost of your bill while allowing you to save money in other areas as well. With any luck, you’ll be able to combine some of these ten options to create savings that will help you get more out of your budget.

1. Research Your Area
Although most areas have a lot of cellphone providers, you will come to find that not all of these are going to provide you with the best quality of service. That is why it is important to research before you sign a contract or invest in a company’s phone. You can look at coverage maps online for each service and can talk to representatives to ensure they get the latest technology, like 5G. However, you should also look at reviews from people in your area or talk to people you know to see how their service is. This is especially important when it comes to people who might live outside of the city limits.

2. Opt for a Family Line
Starting a new contract can be expensive, but if you want to cut back on your bill then you might consider going for a family line. This will have you pay the initial cost of the line, but after that, every additional line to the plan is cheaper. If you choose to split your line with others then you can spend less on the bill when you pay, especially if you choose to split the bill evenly. This is great for families, but also close friends. Of course, you should be incredibly careful who you share a plan with as if they are untrustworthy you could end up paying for their bill or at the least cancellation fees for their line.

3. Know Your Usage
Another important factor that you should take into consideration is the amount of data you use each month. A lot of people will enter a plan thinking they are going to save money but end up going way over on their data usage or find themselves dealing with very slow data after the first week in the billing period. If you use apps and the internet frequently when you’re not connected to wi-fi then your best option might be to go with an unlimited plan. It will save you money and frustration in the long run. Of course, if you tend not to use your phone for anything but calls, then you might be good going with the cheaper options.

4. Upgrade When Needed
A lot of people will upgrade their phones whenever a new model is released, which can be incredibly pricey. Even if you’re used to getting a new phone from your carrier, you might consider holding off until you actually need a new phone. Newer models are over a grand in price now, in most cases, which means your bill is going to go higher and higher. If you’re turning in your phone every time you can, you’re barely going to pay off the cost of the phone with the model you’re turning in. Of course, you shouldn’t wait too long either. If your phone is running slow or causing errors, then it is definitely time for an upgrade.

5. Go Automated
Cellular carries love when you turn on the auto-pay option. It allows them to pull money from your account every month without you having to pay the bill. This can be pretty convenient for you too, as you simply don’t have to spend your time paying bills. Since auto-pay is such a win for carriers, they often offer a discount to encourage people to sign up. More often than not, you will see upwards to 15% off, which can definitely make you happy. You can connect your payment to a credit card to enjoy even more rewards, as some cards will even offer you points for paying bills with the card.

6. Look For Discounts
Another efficient way to save on your bill is to actually look for areas where you might qualify for a discount. Many workplaces actually work with mobile phone carriers, so you might see if your place of business works with a particular carrier. If not, then there are many other discount options. The classics are senior, military, student, and first responder. If you think you might qualify for other discounts or you are curious about discounts, then you should contact the providers you’re interested in and ask. This will give you firsthand knowledge and your customer service representative may be able to set you up with a great deal.

7. Invest in Insurance
Back when phones were only around a hundred dollars, insurance wasn’t exactly a high priority. However, today, most phones cost more than a decent computer which means if you break them you may find yourself in a financial bind when it comes to repairing or replacing them. Insurance is one of the cheapest options you can utilize to help protect your phone just in case something bad happens to it. At just a few dollars a month, you couldn’t pay for a phone with the amount of money you put towards your insurance.

8. Consider Less Popular Carriers
There are a few big-name cellphone providers that we’re all aware of. These large companies have the ability to advertise more which brings in new clients. Just because a cellphone carrier is large doesn’t mean it is the right option for you. There are many smaller carriers that might have just what you need to feel confident in your mobile phone service. A simple google search of your area should turn up a provider, but you might also ask around to ensure you get recommendations that people actually use.

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Switch
Often, a price is only guaranteed based on a contract. When that contract is up, so is the deal which means you’ll have to pay more to carry on with your service. If you don’t mind signing another contract, then you might switch to a different deal so you can easily move on with your life and continue to save. However, if you don’t mind doing extra work you might consider switching providers altogether. More often than not when you switch services your new provider will offer some incredible perks, including paying off your phone, upgrading it, and perhaps even waiving activation fees. So, ask around and watch the savings add up.

10. Enjoy Rewards
These days, a lot of cellphone service providers will offer perks to help draw in a crowd. If you’re looking to get more out of your service, then you will need to do a bit of research to see which companies will work best for your desires. Some companies will offer free anti-virus services, especially if these providers also offer internet. Another popular option is access to streaming services. You will have to browse around for each unique service though, as most companies are connected to just one. There are a lot of other perks to check out too, so before you sign the dotted line make sure you ask what is in it for you.

Saving on your cellphone bill doesn’t have to be rocket science. There are so many ways to get more value for your service, so you can take all of the inflation in stride. These tips will help you find the discounts you need while ensuring you feel confident about the service you choose to sign with.