Author Topic: Help me explore options to lower my cell phone bill!  (Read 2222 times)

TheAnonOne

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Help me explore options to lower my cell phone bill!
« on: May 20, 2016, 12:10:34 PM »
Hello,

Currently-
TMobile- 2 lines
Mine- Unlimited Data (at LTE speeds) $80
Hers- 6GB DATA(at LTE speeds) $45

So our bill is around 130-140 after taxes.


What options exist for heavy data users? It seems like these low cost options are all basically only text and phone.

trashmanz

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Re: Help me explore options to lower my cell phone bill!
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2016, 12:12:15 PM »
Well. First how much data do you actually use?  Also are you willing to compromise?  Do you need all that data for business?  No wifi near you?  It's like saying my Lamborghini does 200mph but all the cheap $5000 cars can't do that. Start with what you really need and adjust from there. Just my 2 cents
« Last Edit: May 20, 2016, 12:14:34 PM by trashmanz »

prognastat

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Re: Help me explore options to lower my cell phone bill!
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2016, 12:17:10 PM »
Data is where they make most of their money.

The best thing you can do is find ways to reduce your data usage.

If you don't have home WiFi get home WiFi, it'll be cheaper than using cellular data while at home. Download music to your phone using WiFi or a computer rather than stream it.

I have wifi at home and free wifi at work and use about 500 MB-1GB per month and I am a relatively avid user of a smart phone. With those kind of data rates you probably aren't going to get your bill under 120.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2016, 12:20:10 PM by prognastat »

TheAnonOne

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Re: Help me explore options to lower my cell phone bill!
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2016, 01:22:44 PM »
Well. First how much data do you actually use?  Also are you willing to compromise?  Do you need all that data for business?  No wifi near you?  It's like saying my Lamborghini does 200mph but all the cheap $5000 cars can't do that. Start with what you really need and adjust from there. Just my 2 cents

She probably averages 3-4 GB/Month and I used 19GB last month.

We both use WIFI nearly 100% at home. I am a software consultant so I tend to do a lot of research on my phone for interesting problems that crop up. I don't deduct my cell phone use but I *MIGHT* be able to. I am USUALLY W2'ed through various consulting firms at an hourly rate.


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I am guessing by the above replies that my 5 minutes worth of research is pretty accurate. I can lower the bill, but I will take a corresponding lowering of services rendered as well. I will need to investigate what works....(or won't work)
« Last Edit: May 20, 2016, 02:30:29 PM by TheAnonOne »

Fishinshawn

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Re: Help me explore options to lower my cell phone bill!
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2016, 02:37:48 PM »
How do you use so much data if you are on wifi so much? Cell phone plans through Ting are really cheap with great service, but they are really only good deals if you can limit your data usage. I pay <$40/mn for 3 phones, using Ting, but we use less then 2gigs per month of data.

Daley

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Re: Help me explore options to lower my cell phone bill!
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2016, 03:09:05 PM »
As it has been pointed out, data is a cash cow. The only way you're going to lower your phone bill is to kick your data dependency habit, and rethink how you use your mobile data and phone storage.

Software engineer/consultant/whatever or not, 19GB is friggin' bonkers. Until you get that in check, you're not going to be able to save any money. Once you do get that in check, there's an entire guide (unabridged) dedicated to how to find quality, affordable mobile service.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2016, 03:12:08 PM by I.P. Daley »