Save money, be smart with your smartphone bill
A lot of smartphone users are paying for a bigger voice and data plan than they really need. CNET's Kara Tsuboi reports on ways you can trim your plan and save some cash.
If you own a smartphone, there's a good chance you're paying for more in services than you actually use. Because many of us are fearful of extra charges that can quickly add up, we choose a bigger voice and data plan than we actually come close to using. CNET senior editor Kent German has shared some tips to find a service plan that better suits your needs:
• Analyze the amount of time you spend talking on the phone every month over a period of time. Find the average. German says it's unlikely you're using all 700 minutes (or more) a month that your provider gives you.
• Track your data usage. It can be confusing to figure out which files are which size, so here's a general rule: If you use your smartphone's data plan for anything more than simple e-mails--like streaming music and video, and sending photos and other attachments--then you would benefit from an unlimited data plan.
• Adjust your service plan, if needed. Depending on the monthly and yearly savings, it may be worth resetting your contract for another two years.
Billmonitor.com recently conducted a smartphone study in Great Britain and concluded that if everyone adjusted their plans and paid for the correct services, they'd collectively save the country nearly 5 billion pounds, or more than $8 billion, a year. Astounding.
