Today, cell phones are no longer a luxury possession. Not only do people use cell phones more than landlines but also for so many different things, such as staying in touch with family and friends, texting, playing games, listening to music, watching television shows or movies, sending emails, reading books, taking photos and videos, work tasks and more. Not all cell phones have the bells and whistles required to d
o all of the above tasks. However, mobile phone use has created a very wealthy industry for phone companies, cell phone providers and game and app services.
If you are not careful, your cell phone could end up costing you a lot more money every month, which result in your cell phone bill increasing. You could even wind up with a surprise bill that’s astronomically more than what you could pay. There have been stories of people receiving invoices for hundreds or even thousands over what they expected. These bills could result from doing the following mistakes:
- Overuse of data plans. If you or someone in your home (such as a teen), is doing something like watching a lot of movies or other videos, this could translate to data plan overages. It can get expensive!
- Roaming charges. If you go on vacation and use your phone as you would while at home, this could result in a hefty fees.
- Linking app stores to your bank account. If you make a purchase on an app store and link it to your bank account or credit card, it could easily get out of hand. Parents with teens who have authorized a purchase on their account may have unknowingly permanently linked an account or credit card to a phone and could have unintentional automatic withdrawals or charges.
A good way to stop unexpected expenses is to pre-pay for your phone or have a limit imposed that will prevent you from exceeding a certain amount. Knowledge about your carrier’s various fees and terms and conditions may also help you minimize the risk of unexpected charges.
Do You Qualify for Free Cell Phone service?
Phone costs got you down? With the Lifeline Assistance program, you may be eligible to receive free or discounted cell phone service if you qualify by participating in a federal assistance program or if your income is lower that your state’s poverty guidelines.
