You probably carry a cell phone with you everywhere you go. And while it may be useful, the same may not be true for your landline.
Yes, as outdated as it may seem, many people still have a landline for several purposes. If you’re one of them and feel like you’re paying more than you should, here are some tips to get a price break.
Once finished, you should have some extra wiggle room in your budget to save towards your emergency fund or pay down debt.
1. Get rid of your landline.
The simplest route to save on your home phone bill is to eliminate it.
When should you do this? If you find that you never use your landline, or that you get nothing but scam or telemarketing calls on it.
As long as your cell phone is in good working condition and has reliable service, you should be able to cut the traditional phone cord without too much fuss.
To accommodate this change, you may want to ensure your cell phone plan includes unlimited minutes, so you avoid overage charges.
2. Only buy the phone services you need.
The typical home phone line can cost around $40. That’s as much as many cell phone plans, and it may not be necessary.
What can cause a landline’s price tag to be so high? All the bells and whistles that come with it, such as caller ID, call waiting, and more.
Call your provider to see how much a basic phone line costs. You can then add any extras and skip features you don’t use.
3. Go for the bundle.
Do you use the same company for your home phone, Internet, and cable TV service? If you don’t have those services bundled, you could be missing out on some savings.
By bundling, you give the company an incentive to offer an extra discount. It also makes your bills easier to pay.
If you’re asked to sign a contract, look over the fine print. A cheaper introductory rate could increase after a certain period.
4. Make the move to VoIP.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) uses a Web connection to make calls. The call quality may not be as good as a traditional line, but it can result in some savings.
This option may be worth looking at if you make a lot of international calls, but are sick of seeing that monthly expense arrive in the mail.
While you may have to purchase some equipment to start, VoIP can eliminate a monthly bill if you choose a company like Ooma.
5. Shop around.
Do you feel like you’re paying way too much for your landline? Are you unhappy with the service also? If you answered yes to either one of those questions, a quick phone call could cut your monthly home phone costs.
A simple trick that often works is to say that you want to cancel your plan. To retain you, the company may offer a discount.
If you’re still not satisfied, shopping around could open your eyes to more attractive home phone plans.
Again, read the fine print before signing a contract. While a new phone company could snag you with some savings upfront, a higher price could kick in later.
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