Everyone has a cell phone these days or else they feel pretty disconnected. From texting to social networking apps and of course, making phone calls, it seems like we cannot live without them and need to have them on our person at all times.
I’m not going to rant about how needy we all are when it comes to our phone. However, I do think we all need to think twice about how much we spend. So let’s talk about how you can lower your cell phone bill.
Cell phone bills have increased over the past years, with the average monthly bill being $127.27. While the major cell phone providers tend to dominate the industry with their contract plans, there are other providers that offer quality prepaid plans run on those same cell networks but at lower prices.
If you know you need to lower your cell phone bill this year so you can use your money for others goals and expenses, here are are few of the best options to consider switching to.
Walmart FamilyMobile
Walmart FamilyMobile has been around for a while and is an affordable option for those who need a proper smartphone with a lower monthly bill. You can bring your current phone to the plan or purchase one of the phones that they provide.
Each plan offers unlimited talk and text, with high-speed data and mobile hotspot capabilities. However, how much data you’ll get will depend on your specific plan. The options include 5GB, 10GB, and 40 GB. These plans vary from $24.88 to $49.88 for a single line. If you decide to have a multi-line plan, each additional phone is just $24.88/month, no matter which plan you choose.
Walmart FamilyMobile comes with a few perks as well. The first is that you can have free calling to both Mexico and Canada, which is excellent if you have family in those countries. If you’re a Medicaid or SNAP recipient, you can also get $10 off per month on your plan. Last but not least, autopay customers can save $2.50 each month when paying for a single line. There are a lot of ways to lower your bill with this service!
This service requires zero contracts, so you can cancel it at any time. Since they contract with Verizon, you’ll get the same 5G service and connections as Verizon users.
Switch to Walmart FamilyMobile
Straight Talk
Straight Talk has high-speed data plan with 5GB of data for $45 per month or a $65 per month plan for 20GB. The $65 per month plan also offers international calls and texts to over 60 different countries.
Since Straight Talk is compatible with GSM and CDMA devices, users who wish to bring their own phone when they switch to their service can do so. The company offers a variety of inexpensive smartphones – along with the latest models from iPhone and Samsung – of which you can purchase outright or take advantage of their payment plan.
Tello
Tello uses the Sprint Network, providing coverage nationwide. Their no-contract, no fees plans start at $10 for unlimited talking and text along with 2GB of LTE data. The provider also allows your phone to become a wireless hotspot for free, allowing the user to share the LTE data with other wireless devices.
If you need more data to go along with your unlimited talking and text, Tello offers 5GB of LTE data for $15 per month, 10GB for $24 per month, and unlimited data for $329 per month. The company includes taxes and regulatory fees in their prices. Less hassle for us! Plus, this provider offers family plans with no additional cost per line added to the account.
Tello also has great features such as great pay-as-you-go international call rates, starting at 1 cent a minute depending on the county, an amazing referral program and the ability to build your own plans or choose ready-made deals.
With Tello, you can choose from a variety of new and certified refurbished phones including the latest iPhones and Samsung models however they don’t offer any form of payment plans for the phones. Regardless, you will be able to find phones for everyone ranging from kid-friendly to senior-friendly options.
On the flip side, you are able to bring your own GSM phone or unlocked smartphone and you can check your phone’s compatibility on their website.
To learn even more about Tello, check out my review.
Total by Verizon
Want to lower your cell phone bill but don’t want to stray away from one of the top mobile networks? No worries. Verizon offers a prepaid and contract-free option called Total.
Basically, you get the same benefits as other Verizon customers but without the contracts and extra fees. In fact, Total by Verizon has a current special going on where you can get four phone lines for just $25/per month each. That’s four lines for just $100 a month total.
Need to pay for a single line? That’s okay. There are a few plans available. They include the cheapest option, which includes unlimited talk and text plus 5GB of high-speed data for just $30 per month. The most expensive plan is unlimited everything, including high-speed data and 20GB of hotspot, for $60 per month.
There are a few benefits to the unlimited plans, including a Disney+ subscription and Verizon’s “Total Rewards” program. You can also save $5 off per line if you set up autopay. You can bring your own phone, or choose from some of their most popular options, including iPhones.
Mint Mobile
You have probably seen advertisements for Mint Mobile if you use social media at all. With a range of phone plans starting at $10 per month for 1GB of data, Mint Mobile offers a wide selection. The Unlimited plan is one of the least expensive options. For $30 a month, you get unlimited talk, text, and data. If you pay for a full year in advance, there is currently a discount where you can get it for $15 per month.
Mint Mobile requires upfront payment for your plan because it is prepaid. The least expensive plan is the 12-month one, though you can pay for as little as three months upfront. For some, this might be a drawback, but it’s how Mint Mobile manages to keep its plans reasonably priced.
You can bring your own phone or purchase a phone through Mint Mobile. But keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for the phone upfront or qualify for Affirm since Mint Mobile doesn’t offer payment plans.
Bottom Line
Each of these companies offers something for everyone, and oftentimes at a cheaper rate than contract plans. You’ll need to be honest with your needs and usage in order to determine which company’s offers will work best for you.
One thing is for certain, though. You won’t need to worry about surprise data charges or overages when you switch to one of these prepaid options.
Stop Worrying About Money and Regain Control
Join 5,000+ others to get access to free printables to help you manage your monthly bills, reduce expenses, pay off debt, and more. Receive just two emails per month with exclusive content to help you on your journey.
