Mobile Phones

September 29th, 2009 by Jessica

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I own a small business, have a husband who works strange hours, and have kids, for us, a mobile phone is a necessary evil.

We hate the mobile phone expense. But each time a car breaks down, or a kid misses a bus, we’re glad we have them.

Because of my business I often need to transfer large data files on the run, so we run data packages on the phones also.

Image credit: Freedigitalphotos.net

Image credit: Freedigitalphotos.net

After all is said and done, this means our phone bill is our #3 expense, right behind our mortgage and our food. Yes, seriously.

Today I logged into BillShrink.com and told them about my phone usage (right off my last statement) and got a price quote on another plan. Since I’m on contract with my current company, I don’t have a whole lot of leverage, and laso they have excellent service, so I called my company with the new info and my old statement in hand, and asked them to help me find a plan witin their family of plans that was comperable… or I’d move to another company.

My phone bill went from $280 to $140 today. Color me a happy camper.

Tags: Budgeting  cell phonesComments

  • Oh, my! That is high...

    Our family had been getting by with just one cell phone (a TracFone at that), but I think those days are gone. May have to check into BillShrink to see what I can find so that both DH and I have a phone.
  • jessc098
    You're totally right Melissa, that is a super high mobile phone rate. Because of my business though, we actually use a lot of data services on our phone lines (things that aren't available on pay-as-you-go plans). I transfer very large files from my phone to my laptop in the field (300 pages +) so while we only use between 150-300 minutes of phone time in a month, we are transfering huge amounts of data and using lots of bandwith, which is why we carry such a spendy plan. I'm sure you can find a much more reasonable plan than we carry--we're paying for a lot of "bells and whistles" that most people don't need (also, almost all of my phone bill is covered in business expenses) I apply the same principles of frugality and deal-seeking in business as I do at home. :)
  • That is good to know. Obviously, I don't know what it should cost for something of quality, so the explanation helped. And I agree about being frugal at work and at home. I've been involved with nonprofits for 15 years, so that and frugality go hand-in-hand.
  • kj wuest
    Way to go! You are an inspiration.
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