The Telecommunications Research & Action Center, a nonprofit that has been publishing consumer guides for 25 years, offers five tips to help consumers save on mobile phones. TRAC’s five tips summarized:

1. Switch to pre-paid service. While calls cost more per minute, you only pay for what you use. With some pre-paid phones selling for as little as $15, this is a much more affordable alternative for those who talk less than 200 minutes a month. For texters, Boost Mobile recently launched a pre-paid plan with unlimited texting.

2.  Dump your landline. This is a good option for people who don’t use the landline much anymore and don’t have children at  home.

3. Opt for a more basic-rate plan, which could mean blocking text messages. Something obvious: Make calls at night and on weekends if your plan offers free minutes during those hours.

4. Mind the bells and whistles. You don’t really need customized ring tones, games or other software on the phone — especially if you can’t pay next month’s bills.

5. Don’t let telemarketers “steal” your minutes.  Sign up all of your phone numbers for the Do Not Call list at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register.

Read TRAC’s full report HERE.

Other ways to save money on any cell phone:

• Get mobile coupons for your cell phone at CellFire.
• Send free text messages, although your recipient could incur text charges at dynadel.com. Also offers quick check on traffic conditions.
• Don’t dial 411. AT&T charges $1.79 per call. Try 1-800-Free411, 1-800-Goog411, 1-800-CALL411 or 1-800-YELLOWP (from earlier Gadgetress post).
• Track your spending with iPhone-friendly tools like MyBudget, Budget Buster, Google’s Mobile Money or Receipts.

More ways to save money:

• T-Mobile offering free airline tickets
• Free Wi-Fi for iPhone users is back, really!
• How to get cheaper cable TV from Time Warner Cable
• 5 ways to save money on the new iPhone
• BillShrink quickly shows how to save on cell bill
• New free tool to quickly find best credit card deal
• How iPhone users can save money overseas
• Avoid overdraft fees with free mobile-phone service 
• How any consumer can ‘test’ a cell phone

Post from: Alt+Save with the Gadgetress

Cell phones aren’t cheap, how to save money

Verizon Wireless, the No. 2 wireless carrier in the US, has announced that they will start charging content vendors a cool 3 cents for every MT (mobile terminated) message that gets pushed through Verizon’s network on its way to customers’ handsets. MT traffic usually includes text message responses to search queries, text alerts (news, sports, stocks, etc.), and interactive voting notifications. Starting November 1, Verizon will be banking 3 cents for every MT message sent to Verizon customers - the new fee will be charged in addition to the fees that MT vendors already pay. All MT vendors will be subject to the fee increase, with the exception of free-to-end-user campaigns (where the sender assumes all costs associated with sending text messages), non-profit organizations, and mobile donation programs.

The move is apparently aimed at recouping overhead costs associated with delivering text-based content to customers. “Just like any business, we reassess our charges to make sure they align with our costs for providing the service and sometimes it becomes necessary to make adjustments,” Verizon Wireless representative Brenda Raney said. “In this instance, this is the first increase the company has implemented since the service began in 2003.”

Verizon’s decision to levy an additional fee on MT vendors could set a precedent that might just put increasing pressure on the booming MT business. Vendors like  cellphone coupon startup Cellfire and SMS-search service ChaCha are most affected, but even political campaigns like Obama’s text-message campaign could feel the pinch.

It’s just too bad that the additional MT fee won’t stop SMS text message spam. Way to go Verizon.

[Via: RCRWireless]

Similar Posts:

• T-Mobile USA to raise text messaging prices
• AT&T to raise SMS and MMS messaging rates
• Qwest now offering Verizon Wireless services to residential and business customers
• T-Mobile increases SMS text messaging rates - gives customers an out
• Mississippi class action lawsuit takes aim at US wireless carriers for SMS text messaging charges

• Buy One Get One Free Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwich
• $.79 Jamocha Shake
• Free Chicken Filet Sandwich with purchase of medium fry and medium drink

Consumers access the Cellfire mobile coupon service through an easy-to-use mobile application that resides on their cell phone or through a mobile Web browser.  New offers are added frequently, and users can access the Cellfire service at their convenience to discover and use discounts specific to their geographic area. 

Coupons are displayed in an or ganized manner, allowing consumers to navigate through coupons by categ or y and select the offers they want to use.  Cellfire is a free service, although standard data or usage charges may apply depending on the carrier or data plan.  While consumers can use text messages to initiate Cellfire registration and save offers f or future use, Cellfire is not a text message coupon service.

Mobile coupons are set for boom and Cellfire (which we've already covered in the past) is at the forefront of the growing market. The mobile coupon and discount offer service recently introduced Cellfire 3.0, which is now even more powerful than ever.

For consumers, Cellfire 3.0's new features include:

• Clip 2 Mobile Offer Discovery and Capture - allows users to discover mobile coupons featured by Cellfire advertisers within both interactive and traditional media. As they do, they can "clip" the mobile coupon with a simple command and the selected offer is automatically saved in the user's Cellfire Saved Offers page, where the offer can be easily accessed and redeemed in the future.
• Rich User Experience - filtering offers by category for easier finding of an appropriate deal.
• Seamless web-phone integration - you can browse, sort, and select Cellfire offers both online and using your mobile phone. Any changes made are simultaneously reflected across both platforms.

As for the advertisers, the new Cellfire version brings:

• Mobilize Traditional and Interactive Media - allows merging of both traditional and interactive media to reach a wider audience. The advertisement source is tracked as consumers respond and capture offers, enabling advertisers to learn which advertisements are most effective in driving transactions.
• Dynamic Targeting - Advertisers can target offers by age, gender, location and other attributes, ensuring their offers are most relevant to their intended audience.
• One to One Offers - Advertisers can deliver unique offers to individuals that have previously interacted with their offers on Cellfire.

Cellfire 3.0 is now available to more than 170 million cell phone users across most carriers and handsets.

---
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Cellfire - The New Way To Do Coupons
• Start a savings revolution with Cellfire
• Juniper Research: Retailers to send almost 3 billion mobile coupons by 2011
• VeriSign And Visa Team Up For Mobile Banking
• Boost Mobile launches "Crush or Flush" for mobile

• Clip 2 Mobile Offer Discovery and Capture – Consumers will discover mobile coupons featured by Cellfire advertisers within interactive and traditional media.  As they do, they can “clip” the mobile coupon with a simple command and the selected offer is automatically saved in the user’s Cellfire Saved Offers page, where the offer can be easily accessed and redeemed in the future.  Respondents that are non-Cellfire users will receive an invitation to sign-up for Cellfire.  Upon registration, the offers will be visible in their Saved Offers page
• Interactive Media (e.g. online/e-mail) – consumers click on the offer from their PC or phone to send it to Cellfire.
• Traditional Media (e.g. newspapers, billboards, and in-store signage) – consumers text the designated keyword for the offer to the Cellfire shortcode, 22888.
• Rich User Experience – Cellfire users can filter offers by category (e.g. restaurant, shopping, grocery, etc.) to easily find what they are seeking.  They also can save their favorite offers to their Saved Offers page for quick access when they are ready to redeem them.
• Seamless Web-Phone Integration – Consumers can easily browse, sort, and select from a wide-variety of Cellfire offers online at www.cellfire.com or through the Cellfire service on their phone.  Any changes made are simultaneously reflected across both platforms.

• Mobilize Traditional and Interactive Media – Using Clip 2 Mobile offer discovery and capture advertisers can turn any media investment (e.g. in-store, print, outdoor, events, broadcast, internet, e-mail, mobile, etc.) into a measurable direct response vehicle, resulting in transactions at the point of sale.  With Clip 2 Mobile, offers that were previously forgotten are now easily accessible to the consumer anytime and anywhere on their ever-present cell phone.  The advertisement source is tracked as consumers respond and capture offers, enabling advertisers to learn which advertisements are most effective in driving transactions.
• Dynamic Targeting – Advertisers can target offers by age, gender, location and other attributes, ensuring their offers are most relevant to their intended audience.
• One to One Offers – Advertisers can deliver unique offers to individuals that have previously interacted with their offers on Cellfire, thereby enriching the consumer experience and driving more profitable relationships.

• Get one free rental with one paid rental from Hollywood Video.  Text HV to 22888
• Receive 15 percent off any purchase from 1-800-FLOWERS.com.  Text FA to 22888
• Get one free song from EMI, Text EM to 22888

Consumers access the Cellfire service through an easy to use mobile application that resides on their cell phone or through a mobile Web browser.  New offers are added frequently, and users can access the Cellfire service at their convenience to discover and use discounts specific to their geographic area.  Coupons are displayed in an organized manner, allowing consumers to navigate through coupons by category, save the offers they want to use later, or select the offer they want to use immediately.  Cellfire users are provided with a unique redemption code that is shown at the time of a transaction. Users simply click on the coupon they want to use and show it to the sales clerk for redemption at the point of purchase. 

Visit http://cellfire.com for more information. 

Everyone has already done the math and over the 2-year required contract, you’ll end up paying a total of $40 (or $160 more if you’re a text-messaging fiend, points out Gizmodo). Just $40 though? That’s not too bad, considering you can’t even buy 10 gallons of gas for $40 these days.

But at a minimum of $70 a month ($39.99 for phone service and $30 for data), the iPhone may be hard to justify on a budget. Let me try. Here’s my list of ways you can save money on an iPhone:

1. Move in with another iPhone fan and join AT&T’s family plan. Instead of each person paying $70 per month, the family plan cuts the price for two people by $30 total or two for $110 a month. Add even more ‘family’ members for $40 each. If you care, here are AT&T’s terms for iPhone family plans.

2. Save $25 through AT&T’s referral program. Refer up to 5 people and get a $25 gift card for each person. Your friend gets a $25 gift card too!

3. Skip the $99 for Apple’s new MobileMe e-mail software and opt for the free Funamobl. This open source software lets you retrieve web and POP/IMAP e-mail on the iPhone, backup contacts and calendar items over the air and synchronize contacts (and later calendar items and notes) from Microsoft Outlook. As TechCrunch points out, this won’t sync files and photos but it is open source so maybe one day, it will. The free software will be available for iPhone 2.0 in July at Apple’s official App store.

4. Make free calls. The $39.99 fee for phone service offers just 450 minutes, which may not be enough. Don’t get charged overage fees. Use iCall to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi. Nifty feature: transfer inbound cellular calls to Wi-Fi instantly to save on minutes. iCall’s not the only one. There’s also fring, iPhoneGnome, JAJAH, Talkety, sipgate, and RingFree, according to the folks at VoIP-Sol.com, an “independent blog covering the VoIP market, web 2.0 and related technologies.”

5. Sell your iPod. You don’t need it. Yes, the $199 iPhone only has 8 GBs of room, but consider your old iPod as a small sacrifice to own a multi-functional device. Besides, you can convert music at a lower bit rate so more songs fit.

——————————-

——————————-

Other ways to save money on any cell phone:

Get mobile coupons for your cell phone at CellFire.

Send free text messages, although your recipient could incur text charges at dynadel.com. Also offers quick check on traffic conditions.

Don’t dial 411. AT&T charges $1.79 per call. Try 1-800-Free411, 1-800-Goog411, 1-800-CALL411 or 1-800-YELLOWP (from earlier Gadgetress post).

Track your spending with iPhone-friendly tools like MyBudget, Budget Buster, Google’s Mobile Money or Receipts.

Related:

• The iPhone 3G will make YOU money! Tips include using the iPhone instead buying GPS for the car, saving gas by checking and avoiding traffic congestion, and get coupons based on location could save you $920. (OtisKimzey.com)
• More Apps for your iPhone  Modmyifone.com)
• Will anyone use their iPhone to, umm, make calls? (Rob Montgomery’s blog)
• iPhone ringtones, how to save money (Two a day)
• The top 10 iPhone applications (Informit.com)
• New iPhone leaves iGirl wanting more (Gadgetress)
• iGirl’s iPhone 2.0 wrap-up: Cheaper, faster, better! (Gadgetress)
• Let the live Apple iPhone 2.0 coverage begin! (Gadgetress)
• Twitter’s alive with the sound of iPhone (Gadgetress)
• Freebies for Mac and iPhone fans (Gadgetress)

Cellfire Inc. today announced the expansion of its mobile discount offers with Taco Bueno.  Following a successful mobile coupon test with 80 stores in Dallas ,Cellfire mobile coupons will now be accepted at all participating Taco Bueno locations throughout their full system.

Taco Bueno is offering Cellfire subscribers coupons to buy a Beef Muchaco or Chicken Potato Burrito for only $.99 each.  Consumers can subscribe to Cellfire’s mobile coupon service to receive the Taco Bueno discounts at Cellfire.com or by texting “bueno” to 22888.

Unlike text-based offers, Cellfire’s easy to use application-based service automatically delivers savings directly to consumers, which they can access on demand from their web-enabled phone to discover and use discounts specific to their geographic area. 

Cellfire users are provided with a unique redemption code that is shown at the time of a transaction.  Users simply click on the coupon they want to use and show it to the sales clerk for redemption.  New merchants and offers are added on a regular basis.

Cellfire 3.0, the latest version of its mobile coupon and discount offer service, was selected as the 1st place winner in the Third Annual CTIA Emerging Technologies (E-Tech) Awards in the Consumer Mobile Applications – Messaging/Mobile Marketing category.  Congratulations to Cellfire!

The E-Tech Awards program gives industry recognition and acknowledges the best wireless products and services in the areas of Mobile CE (consumer electronics); Consumer Mobile Applications; Enterprise Solutions; Network Infrastructure; Mobile Widgets; and 4G.

A panel of industry analysts, media and technology experts reviewed nearly three hundred submissions from established and emerging companies and judged product entries based on innovation, creativity and vision.
 
Cellfire 3.0 is the latest version of Cellfire's mobile coupon and discount offer service that enables consumers to easily find, store, and use many discounts across multiple merchants and locations directly on their mobile phones. 

“We are honored to have the innovation and hard work of our engineering and product teams recognized by the CTIA,” said Brent Dusing, CEO of Cellfire. “Cellfire 3.0 represents an important milestone for us as a
company but, more importantly, represents an opportunity for consumers to have even more ways to save money on their everyday purchases using their mobile phone.”

Cellfire 3.0 is an entire system that allows consumers to store, find, and manage coupon offers on their cell phones.

“We are honored to have the innovation and hard work of our engineering and product teams recognized by the CTIA,” said Brent Dusing, CEO of Cellfire. “Cellfire 3.0 represents an important milestone for us as a
company but, more importantly, represents an opportunity for consumers to have even more ways to save money on their everyday purchases using their mobile phone.”

Cellfire 3.0 is an entire system that allows consumers to store, find, and manage coupon offers on their cell phones.