For many families, 2020 has been a year that has required them to tighten up the purse strings and look for areas to save money. And while there are certainly all kinds of areas you can focus on in order to cut expenses and costs, one that can prove to be quite effective is your mobile phone plans. This is even more the case when multiple members in the household have mobile phones, all with their own costs tied to them.
As we get ready to enter into a new year, why not let 2021 be the year where you rein in your mobile costs for the entire family and find ways to save money? Here are some tips to get you started.
Stop Replacing Your Mobile without the Need
The power of persuasion is quite large in the mobile industry. There is always a new model coming out, with new and exciting features, a sleek new design, and that push to customers to upgrade to the latest and greatest. And while it’s true you can’t hold on to a mobile device forever, it’s probably not necessary to replace it as often as people do.
Telling yourself that you don’t need a new device each and every year can be a massive money saver right there. Instead, take the stance that you will only replace your phone when it no longer works or is able to act as intended.
Don’t Let Extra Features Sway Your Decision When Shopping
When the time comes that you do need a new mobile device, you want to stay strong and not be swayed by a bunch of bells and whistles that you don’t need and probably won’t use. A good tip is to create a must-have list in advance and then stick to it. Anything outside that list will be just that – extras that you probably don’t need, so why pay a premium price?
You may also want to consider buying a refurbished handset. If you choose to go this route, be sure to look for one that has been restored back to the original manufacturer's condition. You can find fairly current refurbished models that are a fraction of the price of a brand-new device.
Time Your Mobile Device Purchase Perfectly
Did you also know that there are specific times of the year where mobile devices tend to go on sale or have special promotions on them? In general, most companies will release their new model in the month of September. That new model will obviously be priced high, but don’t forget they still have older models available – perhaps even last September’s ‘latest and greatest device.’ This can be the perfect time to scoop up a deal as so many other consumers are focused on the new release.
Another popular time of year for new releases is spring, so again this can be a great time to score a deal on devices that are a bit older. Even if you need accessories, September and the spring can provide the biggest deals of the year.
Sell Your Old Device and Make a Little Cash
There’s no need to let that old device go to waste, especially if it’s in good shape and fairly new. You could always try selling your device to make a little extra cash that can be used to help fund the purchase of a new mobile. Did you know there are even companies out there that will recycle your old phone in exchange for cash? Just take a little time to look around and see what your options are.
Be on the Hunt for the Best SIM Only Deals
Maybe you already have a mobile handset that you like and works great, so if that’s the case, SIM only deals would make the most sense. They will save you money since there is no need to purchase a new mobile, yet it will provide you with the service you need. These deals typically include minutes, texts, and data but at a much lower cost. Of course, you don’t want to rush into the first deal you come across; instead, it’s wise to compare SIM only deals among the top providers in the UK.
When you compare SIM only deals at Lebara, for example, you’ll find 30-day rolling plans, which means that you are free to cancel or make changes anytime. With Lebara, you also don’t need to pass a credit check, and their deals include data that can be used for tethering with other members in the household. As well as this, you can rest assured that you won’t have any nasty shocks when it comes to viewing your bill, since usage is capped to whichever plan you choose.
Lebara runs on the award-winning Vodafone network, so you also won’t need to worry about coverage. As another money-saver, their plans also feature international minutes that are applicable to a whopping 41 countries.
Make Sure You Don't Incur Roaming Charges
Another tip is to be more mindful of your mobile use, and everyone else in the family, making sure you don't end up with roaming charges. Roaming charges can add up incredibly fast, completely blowing your budget out of the water. Typically, these charges kick in once you leave the EU, but it's best to look into your provider and confirm how roaming works. Keep in mind that roaming doesn't just apply when you make calls outside the service area; some may even charge you when receiving calls.
Considering the lack of travel in 2020, roaming likely hasn’t been an issue, but as the pandemic starts to get under control and borders start to open back up in 2021, this is something to be mindful of.
Upgrade Your Data Allowance
Another cost you may incur is data overage fees. This happens when you go over your data allowance. If there is no cap in place, then you could be in for a very unpleasant surprise at the end of the month. Typically, the overage fees are more money than upgrading to a larger data allowance, so it could be worth your time to do a cost comparison.
You can cut down on your data usage by using Wi-Fi whenever possible. You may also have some apps loaded on your phone that are constantly running in the background, eating up the data. Experts suggest turning off all your apps that aren't in use to prevent this from happening. You will also want to turn of the “push notifications” since they use data.
If you are doing any downloads that are sizeable, such as downloading a movie or television episode on your device, be sure to use Wi-Fi as this will use a large amount of data otherwise.
Have a Family Meeting to Discuss Cost Savings Measures
Of course, these cost-savings measures will only work if the whole family is on board and making an effort, so it’s a good idea to have a family meeting to discuss what each person can do. Make it clear that everyone plays a part, and each person can be responsible for savings.
It might be that you all decide to give AirTime rewards a try.
By using all of these tips, and getting the whole family involved, you’ll be sure to have a much more affordable 2021 when it comes to your mobile costs.
