April spells trouble for mobile phone users, with Virgin Media and O2 poised for hefty price hikes. Brace yourselves – these increases could soar up to a whopping 8.8 percent, topping the charts among major providers.
Even if you are not on one of those tariffs, and let’s face it, most contracts are not exactly budget – friendly at the best of times, MoneyMagpie are here to help. They have got a treasure trove of savvy strategies to help you slash those expenses and stash some extra cash in your pocket!
Discover MoneyMagpie’s handpicked tips for dialing down your smartphone expenses and reclaiming some financial freedom. From frequent upgrades to embracing paperless billing, we’ve got you covered!
Check your contract
Despite the widespread standard two-year phone contract, a staggering 47 percent of individuals hold onto their smartphones for at least three years, with eight percent waiting five or more years before making a change.
While this isn’t an issue if they transition to a SIM-Only contract after their initial term expires, many neglect to do so.
If you’ve been shelling out £25-£30 per month for more than a couple of years, it’s possible that you’re overdue for a shiny new handset. However, obtaining a new phone often entails signing up for another contract, typically ranging from 12 months to three years.
Granted, committing to another contract is a significant decision, so it’s essential to ensure that the benefits outweigh the costs. Nevertheless, this approach allows you to acquire a brand-new mobile device without having to pay an upfront fee.
When exploring your options, don’t hesitate to shop around and keep an eye out for better deals.
Additionally, consider the possibility of switching network s if a competitor offers a more cost-effective plan. Fortunately, you can retain your existing number even if you decide to switch providers.
Consider Sim Only Contracts
When your contract ends, it might be worth keeping your handset and going SIM-only. If you have a 5G enabled smartphone or are considering getting one, then you might be wondering what’s best – getting a new contract, or a 5G SIM only deal? Sim only company Lebara offers one of the cheapest we can find.
With unlimited texts and calls they even offer international calls – all from £5 per month. They also offer shorter contracts.
It states on their website that “Lebara SIM-only deals do not tie you up in a 12, 18, or 24-month contract. Lebara SIM-only plans are 30-day rolling plans, meaning you can change or cancel anytime.”
Sim only doesn’t mean you have to change your number either. Most companies will offer you to keep your existing phone number, making the change purely economical.
If your heart’s set on an expensive phone such as the new iPhone, it can be more economical to buy the handset and then sign up for a cut-price SIM-only deal rather than entering into a contract with a major network.
It’s definitely worth doing your sums before you sign up.
We have tracked down a special offer for a sim-only contract. The kind people at Lebara have offered our readers these special offers: 20GB package for £1.99 for the first 3 months, £10 thereafter using the code LEBARA10, half price on all our SIM’s for the first 3 months using code LEB ARA3M.
Frozen Phone Plans
With the hikes due in April, this is one we all wish we had gone for. In fact, see if you can choose one now.
Tesco Mobile are one of the only companies to offer incredible frozen plans and this means that you won’t have any shock price increases. Their website states that “you won’t need to worry about your bill going up mid-contract – because we promise to freeze your basic monthly usage price for the length of your contract.”
Frozen plans are only available for Clubcard tariffs, but it is free to become a Clubcard holder. Lebara also have had their plans frozen since the start of 2023.
Be Careful Abroad
A foreign trip can incur all sorts of unexpected charges! Before you go, contact your mobile provider and check the rates for calls, texts and data usage in the country you’re visiting.
They may also have a special deal for international usage if you can’t altogether avoid using your phone abroad. Tesco Mobile customers can use their mobile device in the EU without worry – both Pay As You Go and Pay Monthly customers won’t receive roaming charges.
You should always ensure that data roaming is switched off in your phone’s settings, otherwise you may get a nasty surprise in your next month’s bill.
Lebara have a useful roaming-rate-finder to find the roaming add-ons to boost your current plan, and the PAYG rates for the destination you are travelling to.
If you need to use the internet whilst you’re away, make use of Wi-Fi hotspots – often these are free of charge in hotels, restaurants and cafes.
You can also reduce the cost of your smartphone bill when you’re abroad with apps such as WhatsApp. These can be used for sending free texts over the internet instead of incurring charges for international text messages.
Keep an eye on data and your usage
Data usage is the area where most people go awry. Even with caps in place, that often just means that you don’t have the best package for your needs.
Therefore we suggest that you really pay attention to what package you actually need. A great deal for unlimited data is with Tesco Mobile: They have a sim only deal for £20 a month (with a clubcard – which is free) and £25 without.
This has unlimited data, calls and texts – meaning that you can’t spend over budget.
