Cell phones have become an essential necessity in today’s world without which it has become difficult to carry on our daily life. Even though they are highly essential and useful, when it comes to budget, they are heavy on your wallet. This is especially true when there are multiple phones within the same family and the head of the family having to pay a larger bill.
With the advancement of technology, cell phones have greatly advanced than earlier days and still continue to introduce new cell phone plans, accessories and phones every now and then. Cell phone plans are mostly high and they continue to keep increasing.
There are so many plans out there that it is confusing at times to decide which one to select. Those plans are based on the needs of the customers and you can select one that suits you. Few people use cell phones only to make calls whereas the others use it for texting or to access internet etc.
Most cell phone plans add extra fees just for minor additional features in order to make more money. It has become difficult to keep up with the costs offered for the plans.
Before you are set to do shopping to buy a cell phone or a new plan or a different plan, firstly find a plan that suits your needs and act accordingly. Decide on the amount you want to pay for it. Always try to remain within the limits of the cell phone plans, else it adds a lot of fees and may be heavy on your budget.
Another factor which increases the cost of phone bills is due to having multiple phones within a family. Many cell phone companies provide extra phones to your family. Thought you cracked a cheaper deal?.
The answer is ‘No’. When you look at other costs like service fees and taxes, the prices go higher. There is a lot of money to be spent when you have multiple phones and these costs will lead to a larger bill. This would make cell phones an expensive mode of communication.
Decide on your budget before you decide to buy a cell phone. Most often, there are few hidden costs attached to the cell phone plans which may increase you bill.
Though they are very valuable, they are also very expensive.
These cell phone plans are of 2 types: Prepaid and Monthly Billing plans.
Monthly Billed Cell Phone Plans:
Advantages:
- The bill is to be paid once a month.
- In most cases, they offer a free cell phone too.
- It builds your credit rating.
Disadvantages:
- Often, a two year contract is required. Incase you decide to discontinue with the plan before the expiry of the contract; they charge a high penalty fee.
- If you don’t happen to use your cell phone regularly, it costs more every month than a prepaid.
- If you do not have roll over minutes feature, then you would be paying for those minutes which you had never used.
- If you exceed your monthly minutes, you will be charged with over the limit fee.
Prepaid Cell Phone Plans:
Advantages:
- There is no deposit but there is an activation fee which is also charged by monthly billed cell plans.
- There is no credit check.
- No contracts.
- You pay the bill as you go. - This plan has no unexpected charges and is ideal for those who want to keep their budget in control.
- You buy whatever minutes affordable by you.
Disadvantages:
- Since you pay in this plan as you go, you will run out of minutes once you have used it all and cannot make any call further.
- If you use very frequently, it can be expensive. - You may have other additional fees too.
Both types of cell phone plans have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is you who has to decide which plan is best for you based on the monthly fees of the cell phone plans, how frequently you use them, your comfort level with the service contract etc.