Phone charges can be a very costly monthly expense. It is not unusual to pay $40 or $50 a month before you even make a long distance call. And if you get caught up in the whole local carrier versus long distance carrier issues, it can get really nuts.
We found out about this the hard way, a year ago. Our phone company automatically switched us over to a new long distance carrier when the old one went under. Our first bill revealed charges that were three times as much as we would normally pay. And it was a complete headache to sort out.
Anyway, we have since learned some tips and tricks to reduce our phone bill.
Combine your service with your cable and Internet. This is what we do. Our phone service costs us $33 a month for unlimited long distance calls within the country. There are no time or minute restrictions. We love this because we can call distant friends and relatives without a worry.
Consider Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). This is a way to use your Internet connection to make free phone calls, anywhere in the world. You may need a special Internet phone, but these types of phones are readily available at any Best Buy, Staples, etc.
Give up your landline. I know many friends who have done this with out looking back. Instead of paying for a cell phone and a landline (a traditional phone attached in your home), they just keep the cell phone. This can really pay off, as long as your cell phone plan provides you with the minutes you need.
Use a corded phone. Unplug that wireless phone and get a phone with a short cord. Mount it on the kitchen wall. If you have to stand there near the phone and can’t sit or run around doing other things, your long distance charges will be reduced almost automatically. This probably doesn’t work with teenagers, though, who have an amazing capacity to contort themselves into comfortable positions when on the phone, no matter where it is located.
Get a timer. My great aunt used to keep an hourglass timer near the phone, so she knew when it came time to end a phone call. She worked for the phone company back then, so she knew the value of keeping the call short. While this may be an old fashioned idea, it does help keep you on budget.
Do you have any more telephone saving tips?
Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.
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