5 Phone Plan Hacks That Can Save You Money

Smartphones have become such an integral part of our routine, it’s hard to remember what life was like before them. Because of that, people shell out a ton of cash for their phone service without even questioning it. And if you’re not careful, you could be wasting a lot of money.

Here are 5 ways to get your phone bills in check.

1. Get a quote. No really. Do it.

It might seem obvious, but a quote is the first step in seeing how much you could save on a phone plan. Plus, it’s easier than ever with tools like Verizon’s Quote Generator. You don’t even have to talk to a human or do more than a Google search to see what a new plan could cost you.

See what a Verizon plan could cost you HERE.

2. Use Capital One Shopping for coupon codes and cash back

Did you know that Capital One Shopping works on most phone carriers? Get coupon codes and Capital One Shopping Credits at stores like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and more.

Verizon even has an offer going on right now for $50 off select smartphones with Capital One Shopping’s coupons. Plus, you can get $30 back in Capital One Shopping Credits when you start your next phone plan. Get the deal and see the details HERE.

3. Make it part of your travel plans

Going abroad this year? Check the fine print on your plan to make sure the specific country you’re going to is covered. (Some places could be left out of an otherwise “international” phone plan.)

Do your research. Limit your data, talk and text. Use Wi-Fi as much as possible, and maximize your phone’s offline capabilities.

4. Get on a family plan

Most carriers offer discounted multi-line deals. If you’re not on a family plan, get on it now. Paypal and Venmo make it easier than ever to split the bill with everyone. Recruit your family, friends or maybe even that dude on Craigslist.

5. Monitor your cellular usage

If you’re guilty of going over your data limit, keep tabs of your cellular usage. For iOS, go to settings > cellular, then you’ll see a full breakdown, including which apps use the most data. (Tip: make sure you refresh for your billing cycle). For Android, go to settings > data usage, then select your date range.

Do your homework, and really look at what you’re spending. If you’re not careful, you could be leaving a lot of money on the table.