Do you really need the $80 unlimited data smartphone plan? Or event he $50 plan for that matter. Unless you need a smartphone to make a living, then you may not even "need" a smartphone. I said "need" not want".



There are countless other cell phone plans you can get that won't break the bank. Take that extra $40 to $70 a month and use it to pay off debt, save, or take a well-needed vacation.

1) Some plans are more cost-effective for a family where calls between family phones are free. This makes great sense if most of your calls are between family members.



2) Consolidate services. Some cell phone providers will provide you with substantial discounts when you bundle services, such as TV, internet, and phone.



3) Shop around for a lower price. Don't let loyalty get in the way. If you're current cell phone providing is way out of line when compared to other providers, make the move once your contract is up.



4) Check out group association discounts. Some colleges, and group associations like AAA and AARP offer discounted cell phone plans just for being a member. It's certainly worth investigating.



5) Monitor voicemail usage. Some cell phone companies charge for checking voicemail. Look into see if yours does.



6) Switch to a pay-as-you-go plan. Pay-as-you-go cell phone plans are much less expensive than traditional plans. Most pay-as-you-go plans require no contract and charge by the minute or text message. Pay-as-you-go cell phone providers include Tracfone, Boost Mobile, AT&T, Net10, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Consumer Cellular, just to name a few. You can be balling $10-$12 dollars per month for some of these pay-as-you-go plans.