A Quick Look at Some Sure-Fire Money-Saving Mobile Phone Hacks

All of us are eager to reduce our expenses whenever possible.

13:06 14 December 2020

While utilities such as electricity, water, and gas can obviously add up, smartphone costs seem to be rising on an annual basis. We are not only referring to the price of a new model such as the iPhone SE or the Samsung Galaxy S20 in this case. Instead, it is important to appreciate some of the ways in which you may be able to significantly reduce your monthly rates. Let's, therefore, examine some useful tips and tricks if you are tired of being overwhelmed by unreasonable tariffs.

 

Take a Look at SIM-Only Packages

 

SIM-only deals are extremely popular ways to better manage your mobile phone expenses. As the name suggests, you are only paying for a SIM card and a certain amount of minutes (alongside a specific data usage limit). The main benefit here is that it is impossible to overdraw such an account. If you exceed the limits, you will be forced to top-up the account. There are generally two main types of SIM-only deals:

 

• 30-day plans
  
  
• Annual options

 

This strategy is great if you already own a mobile phone and are hesitant to become involved with long-term contractual obligations.

 

PAYG Plans

 

PAYG is an acronym for "pay as you go" and it is another extremely worthwhile option to consider. This is arguably the best plan due to the fact that (in the majority of cases) no credit check is required to be approved. The principle behind this method is extremely straightforward. Once again, you will not be laden by any type of monthly contract. You will instead deposit a certain amount of money to access basic functions such as making calls, sending texts, and accessing the Internet. You can also normally choose how much you wish to deposit in order to limit your monthly bills. PAYG plans are beneficial due to the fact that no credit check is required, but keep in mind that these can sometimes be rather expensive for those who use their phone constantly.

 

Purchasing a New Handset

 

What if you instead need to buy a new phone? Perhaps your existing model has become extremely slow or its screen was recently damaged. You have two primary options to consider:

 

• Obtaining a high-quality used model.
  
  
• Buying a new phone.
  
  

As the team at Money Saving Expert points out, you may also be able to save a substantial amount of money on a new phone if you know where to look.

 

In this case, never go straight to a major network. In the vast majority of cases, customers will be locked into a plan and forced to overpay for the associated services. It is instead advisable to purchase a new phone and to obtain an entirely separate SIM contract. While you will likely be required to top-up on a regular basis, the chances are high that the overall costs will be much lower when compared to standard contracts that oblige you to remain obligated for between 18 months and two years.

 

Turn Off Your GPS

 

All smartphones are equipped with built-in GPS systems and for good reason. This software allows you to navigate through complicated city streets, to find a restaurant with the help of services such as Google Maps, and in an emergency, it can even save lives. The main issue here is that GPS is known as a "passive" online application. In other words, it is constantly running in the background and it is therefore associated with longitudinal data usage. This can add up over time if left unchecked. Unless you absolutely require the GPS on your phone to remain activated, deactivate it manually.

 

Check the Status of Your Apps

 

Believe it or not, some smartphone applications will remain connected to the Internet even when not in use. Spotify and Netflix are two common examples. This can quickly drain your wallet if you are on a budget. AsSave the Student highlights, it is important to check which apps may be using data. Clicking on the app will display its information and depending upon your operating system, it is normally quite easy to tell if it is connected to the wireless community. Deactivate this setting or as an alternative, turn off data sharing when you are connected to the Internet.

 

Consider Cheap Insurance Plans

 

Imagine for a moment that you are carrying a phone worth £800 pounds and the display screen is accidentally smashed. This can present a real financial nightmare in terms of purchasing a replacement. So, why not instead procure a cheap and yet effective insurance plan? Some of these packages are available for as low as £10 pounds per month, so they are well worth a small outlay. Furthermore, you can remain confident in the fact that any costly repairs will be covered in the event of an emergency.

 

Never be Afraid to Ask

 

Many consumers will automatically assume that their contracts are written in stone. Of course, this is exactly what the providers want them to believe. It is still quite common to modify your current obligations by speaking with a representative. From the perspective of a network provider, it is much easier to offer you reduced rates as opposed to losing you as a client altogether. Be sure to explain your concerns in order to determine how much flexibility you can expect. You might even threaten to leave the company if it is unable to accommodate your needs. Either way, you will be able to obtain a much clearer picture of your options.

 

Saving money on your mobile phone costs is not necessarily complicated if you know which strategies to employ. All of the suggestions mentioned above can be applied as standalone options or they can be used in conjunction with one another in order to drastically reduce your bills. Always remember that where there is a will, there is a way.