Reduce Your Mobile Phone Bill
I'm just taking a wild guess here, but I'll bet your monthly cell phone bill is higher than you'd like it to be. If you use a smartphone, like a RIM BlackBerry or Apple iPhone, you're particularly vulnerable to high monthly bills, what with the data and text messaging plans. Even though you're locked into a contract with your wireless provider, there are ways you can get your mobile phone bills under control.
Obviously, one way to reduce your monthly bill is to switch to a less expensive plan with fewer minutes. But you've got other options, too. Here are four.
1. Text for Free
You don't have to pay to send and receive text (SMS) messages. For example, a number of iPhone Apps enable you to text people at no charge. Usually, these programs, such as Freedom SMS (a $2 app), send your texts to a recipient's cell phone via your e-mail account. Responses are received as e-mail, too. While not ideal, it can save you $5 and up on monthly SMS charges.
I've also read reports that you can send and receive free SMS messages using the free AIM for iPhone app, though I haven't tried it.
Alternatively, Gmail users can send and receive texts for free from their computers, using the Google Talk chat feature.
2. Avoid Directory Assistance
Unless you're driving, it makes no sense to pay $1.50 to $2 for a 411 call on your mobile phone. Instead, text the name of a business or person as well as the city and state to Google's text-message information service at 466453. You'll receive a text back, with the desired phone number. You can use this service to get weather updates, foreign language translations, currency conversions, flight updates, driving directions, and more. The Google service is free, though you'll have to pay for the text messages (unless you follow tip number one, above). You can also dial 800/466-4411, another Google service, for free directory assistance.
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