Frugal Tip: Cell Phone Data Plans

More and more people are getting "smart" phones these days. I personally have the iPhone. I have lots of friends who have Androids and iPhones too. The internet data plans that these types of phones require can be pricey. They don't have to be if you apply some of my tips!

First track your usage. Look at 6 or so months of data usage and come up with an average. For me I use less than 200MB in a given month. AT&T has a 200MB monthly plan. This works for me and is the cheapest option! I switched over to this plan and save $15 per month! I have since never gone over the limit.

Second get a free WiFi locator app. Most smart phones work with WiFi. My office has WiFi. I have WiFi at home. A lot of places I frequent also have it. By putting my phone on the WiFi I am off the data plan. It is also faster and uses less battery! If I am in an unfamiliar place I fire up the app and see if there is free WiFi around.

Lastly I turn my data off on my phone unless I need to use it. It only takes a few seconds to switch back on. A bonus is my battery lasts a lot longer by having it off. Setting your email accounts to manually check instead of on a set schedule cut my data usage in half. I am on WiFi most of the time anyway so no need to have both running at once.

I find that the majority of the users don't need the bigger data plans. The reason most people have the bigger plan is due to laziness. They don't want to have to "worry" about how much data they use so they just pay through the nose. Jumping on WiFi is an easy habit to form. We all do it for our laptops so why not do it for your phone too. Save some money while you are at it!

iPhone: Is it worth the money?

A lot of people have asked me about having the iPhone. Is it worth the expense of the rate plans from AT&T? Is it really as cool as people say it is?

My answer: Yes and Yes!

I have had the iPhone since it first came out. I now have the iPhone 3G. It has been great for work with e-mail, web browsing, etc. I was a bit hesitant with a $90/month rate plan but soon found it was worth it. The iPhone has saved me money in many ways and tends to at least pay for itself.

Here are some ways the iPhone has saved me money:

• GPS: The GPS has saved me from being lost and finding my way. It has also saved me a lot of time which is worth more than money.
• Google: If I am out shopping and see something I need/want I can google for the best price right on the spot.
  
• Alarms and Calendar Reminders: I use it for my alarm clock and have reminders on a Calendar for bills. I save in late fees and lost hours at work.
• Pandora - Free radio anywhere streaming. No need for XM radio (I HATE commercials!)
• Maps: Traffic conditions. I can see where the bad spots are and go around them. This saves gas and time!
• WiFi Finder: If I need wifi I can use the finder app to find free wifi nearby. No need to pay for wifi somewhere!
• Quicken Online: I can check my account balances through Quicken Online on my phone. No NSF fees or over limit fees.
  
• Free Entertainment: Games, YouTube, Camera. If I am bored I can surf the net, listen to music, play games, watch youtube, take pictures. Why spend money?
• Retaurant Finders: Urbanspoon, Yelp, etc. I can find good places to eat nearby and specify a price level. No need to drag out a laptop and find wifi.
• Public Tranport: the Maps app can take you somewhere on public transport. No need for a cab. This saves hundreds in New York City!

I could go on forever about how the iPhone has saved me money. I limited the list to things that would apply to most people. With the iPhone now as low as $99 it is definitely worth the price tag. The rate plans are higher than standard phones but for the features you get it is well worth it. I constantly think to myself: "How did I live before this!"

If you have been on the fence about getting one I hope this post will help you decide.