Nearly everyone has a mobile phone nowadays, and most of us spend a fair amount both on purchasing a phone and on monthly bills. But with cost cutting at the forefront of everyone’s minds, there may be ways that you can save both on the purchase price of your phone and on your bills. If you’re on a budget then today we’re talking about how to get the best deals on phones and bills, so you can get the phone and service that you want whilst not spending a fortune.
Get the Right Mobile Contract…
The primary way that most people end up spending too much on mobile bills is by choosing the wrong kind of contract. A mobile contract comes with a calling plan that will give you a limit for the number of calling minutes, text messages and the amount of data that you can use per month. Choosing a plan that’s too big for you will mean that you end up paying for services that you’re not using. On the other hand, a plan that’s too small will also mean that you pay more than you need to. Most operators charge high prices for going over the limits of your calling plan, and it’s usually cheaper to subscribe to a larger plan than it is to have to pay these extra fees. The key to choosing the right calling plan is knowing what your needs are. You can look at old mobile bills to get a general idea of what your normal usage is like, or consider getting a pay as you go plan for a month or so to see what kind of minute, text and data limits you really need.
The Best Budget Android Phone is the Cheapest Buy…
The initial cost of buying a phone is a large one, but there are budget models on the market. Your best chance of getting a good phone for a good price is choosing to go with an Android phone. Android is a popular operating system, and many manufacturers make Android handsets, so you’ll just have more choice. And more competition on the market means prices are getting cheaper and cheaper. The best budget Android phone models will cost you around a hundred pounds or so brand new, which really is a bargain. Compared to more expensive iPhone, Blackberry or Windows models, Android really just has the best prices. If you’re on the lookout for the best budget Android phone check out the Huawei Ascend series, or some of the Sony Xperia models, these tend to be great phones that come at low prices.
You Don’t Have to Sign a Contract…
A mobile contract is certainly convenient, you have dependable service and you get a monthly bill. However, there are other options. Going with a pay as you go plan can be an excellent decision for some kinds of phone users. Particularly those users that don’t utilise their phones often will benefit from pay as you go systems. This is because light users don’t come anywhere close to using the high limits for calling, texting and data use that most contracts have, so they’re often paying for services that they’re not using. Another plus of pay as you go plans is that you can closely monitor your spending. You can only use the amount of credit that you put onto your phone, and won’t end up with any surprising charges at the end of the month. If you’re on a tight budget a pay as you go plan really can help you control your mobile spending.
Think About Refurbished Phone Models…
If you’re looking to buy a new phone one of the best deals that you’re going to get is on a refurbished phone. These models will be identical in appearance and functionality to a brand new model, and they also come with a ninety day warranty, but they’re far cheaper than new models. A refurbished device is one that has been bought and then returned. This is usually just because the buyer has changed his or her mind about the purchase. The phone is then returned to the manufacturer, where it’s rebooted, cleaned and undergoes a technical inspection. Only then will the phone be certified for resale. If you can get your hands on a refurbished phone you stand to save a fair amount of money. Some mobile operators sell refurbished phones, and Apple sells refurbished iPhones as well. By far the best place to find refurbished deals is direct from the manufacturer’s web site though.
Always Shop Online…
Whether you’re buying a mobile contract or a mobile phone there are certain advantages to buying online. Firstly, there are plenty of comparison web sites where you can compare different contracts and phone models and their prices, meaning that you can be sure that you’re getting the best deals. But additionally, most retailers offer discounts to online shoppers. Selling online is much cheaper for retailers, since they don’t need to pay large overhead or staff costs, and those savings are then passed on to you, the customer. If you’re worried about buying sight unseen then it’s probably worth your time to go to the physical store and take a look at the phone that you want to buy to make sure that it’s what you want, and then come home and buy it online.
Be Realistic…
The true secret to saving money on both your phone and your bills lies in being realistic about your needs. It’s easy to be tempting by marketing, expensive new phones with great new features and unlimited monthly calling plans. But if you’re not going to use those new features, nor come close to using enough minutes, texts or data to make an unlimited plan worthwhile, then you’re really just wasting your money. Making an accurate assessment of your needs when it comes to both the phone itself and your calling plan needs will mean that you get a phone and contract that’s right for you and right for your budget.
Sam Jones helped his son to find the best budget android phone that was ideal for when he went to university. He simply logged on to uSwitch and found a really affordable deal on one of the latest handsets
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