Step 1 – Decide what you need before you go to the store to buy your next phone. Consider what features you used on your last phone, which ones you forgot you had and which, if any, you’d wished you had. By asking yourself these questions before you go to the cell phone store you can be prepared and avoid being "up sold" to a cell phone model that’s more expensive than you need.
Step 2 – Calculate your usage needs. As a general rule, you should pay nothing for the cell phone itself if you sign onto a year or longer contract. Consider whether you need texting and Internet capabilities. If you text a lot, you may want to buy a texting bundle rather than pay individually. Keep in mind that even if you don’t text but your kids do, you may be charged for their incoming texts.
Step 3 – Compare cell phone companies to get the best value at the cheapest price before you go shopping. Look for bundling deals if you are shopping for more than one person. Try at least three different cell phone companies before settling on the best deal.
Step 4 – Choose and use your minutes carefully. Carriers aren’t required to contact you about overages. Allan Keiter of MyRatePlan.com, a site that provides guidance on choosing phone plans suggests buying 10 to 15 more minutes than you think you’ll need.
Step 5 – Monitor your cell phone usage and stay within your cell phone service plan. Now that you’ve got the cell phone and service plan you want at a price that’s cheap, make sure you stay within your usage limits by checking your usage regularly. If you find that you are going to go over one month, most companies will allow you to change your plan for the month as opposed to paying the excessive over usage minute fees.