cell phones

5 Painless Ways to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill

Kyle James — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 09:31:19 +0000

The smartphone has become a necessity for many of us as we use them for work, to communicate with our kids, and to keep our lives organized. Unfortunately, with this amazing technology often comes an expensive monthly bill. But with just a little bit of effort, you can easily lower your cell phone bill to a more budgetable amount. Here are some important steps to get you moving in the right direction.

1. Find Cheaper Companies That Access the Same Towers

Are you aware that discount cell carriers like Republic Wireless and Straight Talk Wireless access the same cell towers as Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint? As a matter of fact, the big carriers actually own the cell towers and sell access to the smaller players at a highly discounted rate and pass the savings along to you. For example, Republic Wireless uses T-Mobile towers, and Straight Talk taps into Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

Use this information to your advantage when deciding if one of the discount cell carriers is for you. Before you decide, be sure to analyze the cell coverage in your region before switching. For example, if your area has poor coverage with T-Mobile, but good with Verizon and Sprint, then Straight Talk might be a better option than Republic. You can save a lot of money every month if you do switch. For example, Straight Talk offers unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data at 4G speed for only $45 per month. The same plan with Verizon will cost you over $70.

2. Learn to Negotiate a Deal

If you're happy with the carrier you currently have, but don't like how much you pay every month, consider calling them up to negotiate a better rate. This is especially true if you're month-to-month with your carrier and aren't under a contract. Start by doing a few minutes of homework and check out what the competition is offering. Take note of plans similar to yours that are cheaper. Those less expensive plans are going to be your negotiating ammunition.

When you call customer service, tell the first person you speak with that you want to cancel your service as it's too expensive. Without fail, they'll transfer you to the customer loyalty or retention department. These are the folks who have the authority to lower your bill. Keep in mind that cell companies spend a lot of money on new customer acquisition and are often willing to throw you a bone to keep you on as a loyal customer. Immediately tell them about your research and the cell carrier you're considering switching too.

At this point, the retention specialist will either offer you a discount to stay on as a customer, or tell you they can't meet the competitor's lower rate. In my experience, it's typically the former. At the very least, most company reps can help you dissect your bill in order to cut out any add-on services you might pay for, but rarely use.

3. Always Look for Employer Discounts

Many employers work with cell phone companies to provide their employee with a discounted rate. Some of the more popular jobs that often qualify include teachers, state and local government jobs, military, and many corporate jobs. Each provider offers a little different discount so your best bet is to check the big four linked below to see if you're eligible for a discount. Most discounts are in the 10%–25% range. For example, my wife is a public school teacher and she gets a 15% monthly discount from Verizon. All she had to do to get her discount was walk into a Verizon Store and show them proof of her employment.

4. Analyze Your Monthly Usage

It's easy to fall into the trap of being happy with your cell phone service and ignore the small details. Like if you actually need everything on your plan that you pay for month-after-month. Pull out your bill and examine it with a fine tooth comb. Are you being charged for things like enhanced voicemail, a 411 service, phone insurance, or roadside assistance? If you don't need it, or rarely use it, cut it out of your plan and save some easy money on your monthly bill.

Also, be sure to look for family share plans that many cell phone providers offer these days. While not heavily advertised, they provide an excellent way to save if you need multiple lines. The more lines you add, the less you pay for each additional line.

5. Verizon Users: Deal Solely With Authorized Sellers

I recently had a former authorized Verizon seller inform me that unlike "Verizon Store" employees, they were not paid a commission when they increase a customer's data plan. She worked at a Verizon kiosk at Costco and she said it's the best place to go to get help understanding your bill and possibly get it lowered. They'll go through it with you, look for spots to save, and let you know about any special discounts they might have available. Actual Verizon Store employees? Not so much.

While this is not necessarily a tip that will get your bill lowered, it's good information for Verizon loyalists. Always visit the authorized seller locations as they have employees who don't get paid for raising your bill.

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This article is from Kyle James of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How Family Plans Can Save you TONS

Ashley Eneriz — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 09:30:38 +0000

While house phones and cable may be on their way toward obsoletion, the subscription market is booming. You can find a subscription or membership plan for just about anything — your favorite TV shows, your cell phone, music, and even Uber.

While these subscription plans can save consumers money, especially if you switch from a $100 cable bill to a $7.99 Hulu bill, they can still add up. Thankfully, many subscription or membership plans offer discounts for families. Here are the top shareable accounts you can take advantage of to save money.

TV Streaming

There are quite a few TV streaming services available right now. Most of them don't openly advertise a family sharing plan, but you can activate the streaming on multiple devices.

Netflix

Netflix allows users to stream shows on up to six devices, have up to five profiles, and even stream simultaneously on up to four devices at a time. (See also: 6 Tricks for a Better Netflix Experience)

Hulu

Membership can be activated on however many devices you wish, but streaming can only be done on one device at a time.

Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime allows users to add one adult to their account, and have up to four children profiles. Sharing Amazon Prime means the shared user has access to the large library of Prime shows and movies. Two different shows can be streamed at the same time on two different devices.

HBO Now

HBO Now doesn't offer specific rules on sharing, but several devices can use the same HBO account, though simultaneous streaming is limited. Funny enough, HBO CEO Richard Pepler said, "It's not that we're unmindful of it, it just has no impact on the business. In fact, the practice of sharing usernames and passwords serves as a terrific marketing vehicle for the next generation of viewers."

Spotify

Spotify just rolled out its revised family plan in May. It allows you and up to five family members to enjoy a Spotify Premium account for only $14.99 a month. That works out to about $2.50 per person. What is neat about Spotify's family account is that six people are not sharing the same account. Instead, all six individuals in the family get their own premium account, which means they can play their favorite music ad-free and offline.

There are some restrictions to Spotify's family plan. All members must reside at the same address, though it is unclear how Spotify enforces this rule. Also, the account head will be billed the $14.99 each month, so you could get stuck with the $14.99 monthly bill if other family members don't pay you their portion.

Uber

Uber launched its Family Profiles in March for select cities. Even though Uber called its new program "Family Profiles," the company does not discriminate if you add friends or coworkers. Once this feature is more widely available, the profile can include up to 10 riders under one payment option.

This makes it easier to arrange rides for college students in other cities or to help older family members who cannot drive to do errands.

Cell Phones

It is no secret that you cell phone providers offer family share plans. Before we got married, my husband and I joined his sister's family plan with Verizon. It was the cheaper alternative to getting on our own plan. Somehow our bill kept growing (because his sister's family was charging us the same amount as their phones, even though they were using premium services). We were able to pay less on our own family plan with T-Mobile.

With T-Mobile, we are not on a contract and only pay about $55 for both of us. To get that price, we added my father and sister at $25 per line. With T-Mobile, the phones are pricier, since you are not under a contract. However, there are no extra charges for using too much data or texting. When one of us goes over our allotted data, instead of receiving a hefty charge, our browsing and streaming just slows considerably.

Another affordable family plan to consider isCricket's five lines for $100. The basic plan starts at $40 ($35 after autopay discount). Then you can add on a second line for $30, the third line for $20, the fourth line for $10, and the fifth line should be free. This would equate to $20 per person on the plan (or less, depending on the autopay discount).

Kindle Library

If you share an Amazon Prime account with another adult, they will be able to access the Kindle Owners' Lending Library if they own a Kindle. Even if you do not add on someone to your Amazon Prime account, you can still lend out books to friends and family members, as long as the book has lending rights.

Using family plans and sharing accounts is a great way to save money on membership and subscription costs. Just be sure to know the terms and conditions before sharing. Some companies have specific programs designed for family sharing, while others frown upon sharing your password.

What's your favorite way to save money on subscription services?

This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: The Technology Edition

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 19:00:07 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we are featuring some of the best articles from around the web about technology, ranging from apps to smartphones to green tech and more!

4 Powerful Smartphones That Aren't Overpriced

Ryan Lynch — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 08:24:20 +0000

Smartphones have just about become a necessity in our daily lives. With the big manufacturers releasing a better, faster, more powerful handset nearly every year, consumers shell out a fortune to keep up with the Joneses. The marketing strategists behind tech giants like Apple and Samsung invest heavily to ensure their latest devices are ogled for their sexy design and performance prowess. But in an age where innovation is king, handsets rarely retain their initial appeal. There is good news, however. You don't have to commit to a soul-crushing contract or pay a fortune to enjoy a fantastic mobile experience. Here are five affordable alternatives to those pricey smartphones. (See also: 5 Great Smartphones)

1. Nokia Lumia 520

The fact that the Lumia 520 is the best selling Windows device in the world right now should be reason enough for its mention on this list. At only $100 and unlocked, the Lumia 520 saves consumers from the nightmarish hellscape of carrier contracts.

The sturdy build is comfortable to hold and the colorful Windows 8 OS makes it pretty to look at. The hardware may seem lacking, but it performs beautifully and provides a smooth and enjoyable experience. Nokia apps like Drive and Music are highlights, offering data-free navigation and Pandora-esque music discovery. (See also: New Ways to Listen to Music for Free)

The one caveat is that the Windows ecosystem is not as robust as iOS or Android, resulting in considerably fewer available apps. A fantastic value, the Lumia 520 deserves your consideration and, with its big brother on the way, the Lumia series is likely to find even more converts.

2. Motorola Moto G

A sub-$200 phone running Android 4.4 KitKat? The correct answer is a resounding "Yes, please!" After Motorola was acquired by Google there was little question of quality, but at what cost? Apparently very little. (See also: How to Save Money With Google Wallet)

The Moto G features a quad-core Snapdragon processor and the closest thing to stock Android you'll see outside of the Nexus. This means that there is no bloatware or awkward user-interface hogging space or slowing performance.

Despite the low internal storage and 5MP camera there is a lot to love about the Moto G, in particular Google Now. (See also: The Best Productivity Apps for Busy People)

3. ZTE Blade V

Chinese manufacturer ZTE has struggled to make a name for itself, probably because its previous offerings in the western market have been downright atrocious. However, ZTE is slowly turning the tide with their promise of attractive, budget-minded handsets that don't sacrifice performance. With some respectable hardware, ZTE's Blade V is a phone that that deserves a look.

As a budget smartphone, the Blade V does suffer from subpar screen resolution, low internal storage, and a near-useless camera. However, its saving grace is the 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, which makes the Blade V surprisingly breezy and responsive for a handset well under $200. Heavy users might notice a bit of lag, but most won't have any problem navigating the Android 4.1 OS. This phone, like many of the budget smartphones, has limited availability in North America. Similar ZTE models to consider are the ZTE v956 and the slightly pricier ZTE v967.

4. Google Nexus 5

Priced around $350, some would say that the flagship Google handset is far removed from the budget-minded crowd. While certainly more expensive than the other phones on this list, the Nexus 5 is a steal when compared to devices from Samsung and Apple. Off contract prices for the iPhone 5s start at $649.99, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S5 can be found for $825 and up.

The Nexus 5 delivers everything that Google promised from Android and then some. With a fantastic screen and seriously powerful hardware, you'll be hard pressed to find another handset delivering a comparable experience at such a low price. With the Nexus 6 rumored to be unveiled soon, you can expect to snag this phone at an even steeper discount.

5. Various Overseas Manufacturers

There are a number of smaller tech firms and startups that have been making waves in the smartphone market. Some of the most exciting manufacturers are based in China and their handsets are not only feature rich but technically impressive at incredible price points. However, when buying a phone from overseas there are a number of things to consider, so make sure you do your homework.

Do you know of any bargain basement smartphone deals? Are there any dirt cheap handsets that should be on our budget radar? Let us know in the comments!

This article is from Ryan Lynch of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

3 Surprising Ways to Save on Wireless Bills

Linda Condrillo — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:00:03 +0000

If you've found yourself gasping for air after opening your wireless cell phone bill lately, take a deep breath — there may be discounts you aren't taking advantage of. (See also: Part-Time Jobs With Serious Discounts)

1. Join Your Employer Discount Program

Take advantage of employer discount programs simply by contacting your wireless carrier's website (or visit their store) and submitting your work address to find out if you are eligible to receive offers and discounts. Once the email address is validated, and you qualify for the discount, you'll start saving on access charges, and in some cases, receive discounts on accessories too.

If you are self-employed, or your current employer doesn't qualify, you can always piggyback onto a spouse's plan. And the same discounts are available to students. If you attend a university, simply submit your student email address to your provider for validation. (See also: List of Student Discounts)

Check discount programs for Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

2. Make Wi-Fi Calls

Keep track of, and cut data usage with free apps. Jon Lal of BeFrugal recommends the iTunes Wi-Fi Finder app to locate nearby Wi-Fi hotspots, and use a Wi-Fi connection to browse online instead of your data plan whenever possible. (For Android, consider WiFi Finder.) "This will help you get by on a much smaller data plan that costs less." Andrea Eldridge, CEO and co-founder of Nerds on Call agrees. "If you're not hooked up to WiFi, those minutes can add up fast. Try to make sure you're always connected to WiFi, and turn off apps that switch to the phone network when WiFi is unavailable." (See also: How to Get Free or Cheap Internet Access)

3. Get a "Family" Plan

Two lines (or more) are cheaper with family plans; wireless providers charge more, per person, for individual plans. This works even if your family members aren't living under one roof — or aren't related at all. As long as one person takes responsibility for the account, a group of friends can start a family plan, too.

The Last Word

Even if you don't take advantage of one of these money-saving techniques, check in from time to time with your current provider to inquire about unadvertised packages that may be a better fit for you based on your usage plan. And be sure to sign up for free alerts from your provider, just to be on the safe side, so that you are aware when you are reaching your data limit and don't have any overages.

How do you save on your cell phone plan?

This article is from Linda Condrillo of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Why Is the Cell Phone Industry So Screwed Up?

Kelly Kehoe — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:48:57 +0000

Cell phone bills are on the rise. Again. Oh, you broke your phone and didn’t have insurance on it? That’ll be $500+ to replace it. Or you can terminate your contract early. For $175.

What’s wrong with the cell phone industry? Why does it seem that customers are getting the raw end of the deal and nobody is stepping forward to fix it? Why, exactly, is the cell phone industry so screwed up? (See also: Why I Like My Flip Phone)

Fierce Competition?

The Atlantic shows us how profit is shared in the cell phone industry, and why. Apple, of course, enjoys the major share of the profits on the handset side of the business (the company made media headlines in July 2011 for having more available cash than the United States federal government), while other developers are racing to keep up with our smartphone obsession.

As for network providers themselves, there is a little more competition, with Verizon and AT&T at the top and T-Mobile, Sprint, and various prepaid providers on the lower rungs of the ladder. Once AT&T lost its exclusive iPhone offering rights, Verizon made some significant gains, but the power struggle between network providers continues.

Patent Wars?

The Huffington Post has an entire section of their website dedicated to the legal battles between Apple and Samsung, the world's top two smartphone designers and manufacturers.

In August 2012, Apple sued Samsung for $2.5 billion over intellectual property right infringements. The verdict? $1 billion to Apple. And it hasn’t stopped there. Samsung countersued and lost, and now patent litigation is upping the stakes in the cell phone industry.

Innovation seems to be at war with healthy competition; if Apple controls numerous patents in regards to smartphone technologies, how can the others possibly compete without the threat of lawsuits? Some may argue that Samsung has superior technology and platforms via Google’s Android, but with one victory under its belt, lawsuits involving Apple or other cell phone companies are likely to get more frequent and messier from here on out.

Dwindling Profit Margin?

The demand for Apple products never seems to fade, but more and more people are jumping on the alternate smartphone bandwagon these days. While Apple is far from financially insecure, this spike in competition in recent years has forced the company to find ways to keep costs from spiraling beyond what the market deems acceptable (brand name can only get them so far, especially when you could easily buy another smartphone for half the cost of an iPhone).

Partnering with Sprint and Verizon (in addition to AT&T) helped Apple retain its dominance in the realm of cell phone sales (as much as 73% of the market share belongs to Apple), but in a time where disposable incomes are limited and cell phone bills are on the rise, the Apple frenzy has quieted considerably since the development of the first few iPhones.

As for network providers, gone are the days of relying on massive profits from the price-per-text model, as unlimited calling and texting plans are on the rise (despite their ever-increasing cost to the consumer). The industry experimented with unlimited data plans but ultimately found it unsuccessful and phased it out of their menu of services. Apps are also eliminating once-valuable sources of income for these companies, with free calling options from apps like Skype and free texting from a variety of apps like WeChat and What’sApp motivating customers to opt out of pricier calling and texting plans that offer more minutes and more texts.

The solution? Charge consumers more for data and make it harder for them to switch carriers.

Final Word

Fierce competition over pricing structures and patents are complicating matters in the industry, and dwindling profit margins are prompting companies to increase prices for phones and cell service to maintain the same level of growth they experienced the previous decade. Who pays for all this? Consumers do.

What are you doing to defend your wallet form the mobile phone industry's aggressive pricing and marketing?

This article is from Kelly Kehoe of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Seriously, Get Rid of Your Landline

Thursday Bram — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:48:36 +0000

Do you still have a telephone that plugs into the wall of your house? As of June 2012, 34% of households in the U.S. have gone wireless only, according to the U.S. National Health Information Study. That percentage will only go up in the coming years — over 59% of 25- to 29-year-olds live in homes without landlines.

From a financial perspective, it’s hard to justify setting up a new landline if you already pay a cell phone bill every month. Depending on the package, a landline can cost between $180 and $480 every year. That can mean big savings if you already have a landline and want to get rid of it, too. (See also: Why I Like My Flip Phone)

The Ubiquity of Cell Phones

As a culture, we like cell phones. There are still some issues we’re working out — like how young is too young for a cell phone — but, in general, it’s not an unreasonable assumption that if you’re reading this article, you have a cell phone. In fact, CTIA reported in 2012 that there are more mobile subscriptions in the U.S. than there are people living in the country.

Why would you want to keep a landline if you are statistically likely to already have a cell phone in your hand? Since most people who want to reach you probably call your cell directly, your reasons might include concerns about safety.

What About Emergency Response?

Up until recently, one of the biggest issues was whether emergency responders could find someone calling from a cell phone. In the event that a person called 911, but was unable to give their location, a cell phone does not necessarily provide an address. However, newer cell phones incorporate E911 capability, which allows a service provider to give data about location to emergency responders.

What About Cell Phone Reliability?

There’s also a concern that cell phones may be less reliable than landlines.

In general, reliability has increased since cell phones were first introduced, although there are still some places where you just won’t get great reception. In emergencies, it’s often possible that either, or even both, wired or wireless phone service will be disrupted, so choosing between the two is a bit of a wash.

There are some systems that may seem to require a phone line, like fax machines and alarm systems. But just about every system has a wireless alternative these days. It may take a little research to find options, but saving a few hundred dollars each year is worth it.

Is There Any Reason to Keep Your Landline?

For some people keeping a landline may still make sense. The most obvious reason is if you don’t have a cell phone already. If you’ve managed to make it this long without a cell phone, by all means, stick to what’s working for you!

Some locations are still not very cell phone friendly. Because of the realities of geography and location of cell towers, there are still some places that are effectively dead zones for cell connections. If your home is in once such place, you’ll need to have a landline or another alternative, such as Skype or other VOIP services.

There are also some very specific situations that still require a landline; for instance, people with pacemakers must have access to a landline for monitoring purposes (using a specialized interface, doctors can monitor pacemakers over the phone).

If you’re not comfortable with not having a landline for any reason and the cost isn’t an issue, make the decision that you’re comfortable with. But if you don’t need a landline and no special situations apply, it’s worth considering getting rid of yours.

Have you dropped your landline telephone service? If not, why not?

This article is from Thursday Bram of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Joy of Disconnecting

Kelly Kehoe — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:36:42 +0000

You’ve heard the horror stories in the news — “Teen Racks Up Multi-Thousand Dollar Phone Bill” or “Video Game Enthusiast Dies in 24+ Hour Gaming Marathon.” Of course these are extreme examples, but the fact remains that we are obsessed with our technological devices. From phones and tablets to computers and gaming consoles, those of us living in the Digital Age are practically addicted to our electronics.

Indeed — an article from Psychology Today points out that when we browse our favorite websites or receive a text message, we get a boost of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This chemical is responsible for the pleasurable feeling or “rush” we get, and it inadvertently feeds our addiction to our devices.

Some experts argue that this dopamine rush can make an addiction to electronics as powerful as an addiction to alcohol or gambling. Combined with our collective mindset that technology isn’t really a bad thing (and thus, not an addiction worth worrying about), this makes the push to disconnect from our devices all the more important.

But if your life isn’t negatively affected by the constant use of electronic tech, why should you bother using it less? Well, let’s examine the joys of disconnecting (and how to do it!). (See also: How to Stay Focused at Work)

Productivity Boost

With the rise of smartphones in the past couple of years, we have acquired the ability to stay connected to both our phone contacts and social media accounts at any hour of the day, almost anywhere in the country. This instantaneousness has made us more impatient, less willing to wait more than a few seconds for something to load or another person to return your message.

Not only that, but we’ve become more distracted — One new email! New text! Twitter update! Friend’s-name-here posted on your wall! — and lost a major life skill in the process, the ability to concentrate on a project for a long period of time. In turn, this leads to a significant loss in productivity, where an hour-long task now takes two hours because you paused to text your friend or colleague back and lost track of time once the conversation took off.

Disconnecting — even if just for an hour or two per day to start — would allow you to get more done in a shorter amount of time, leaving you free to converse with your friends, catch up on news, or watch TV later.

Road Safety

Speaking of distractions, an article in Forbes points out the dangers of texting while driving (according to a recent CDC study):

In 2009, more than 5,400 people died in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver and about 448,000 people were injured.
Among those killed or injured in the crashes, nearly 1,000 deaths and 24,000 injured included cell phone use as the major distraction.
Nearly 33% of teenaged drivers nationwide have admitted to texting or emailing while behind the wheel.

There are laws in many states against texting while driving, but just as speeding tickets don’t stop people from going well above the speed limit, anti-texting laws aren’t particularly effective in stopping people from texting while driving.

Again, disconnecting can help prevent more of these tragic accidents (it’s as easy as pulling over or waiting until you arrive at your destination to send or read a text).

Self-Reliance vs. Techno-Laziness

It’s one thing to start using iPads in classrooms to cut back on textbook costs; it’s a whole other thing to allow computers to diminish our critical thinking abilities, both in school and in the workplace. Calculators have been around for years (and now they’re pre-installed apps on our smartphones), but that’s no excuse to rely completely on technology to do our math for us.

Taking a break from tech every once in a while would prevent our society from becoming like those dystopian Hollywood flicks, where robots do everything for us and any glitch in the system leaves humanity in the dark (OK, maybe not that extreme, but the “I don’t know what to do” panic after a technological failure is undeniably commonplace today).

How to Disconnect

So maybe you’re not sold on the idea of ditching your phone, laptop, and other electronics (it’s okay; neither am I). But making a conscious effort to occasionally turn off your phone (or at least put it on silent — especially in movie theaters, for the sake of the audience members around you) can do wonders for both your state of mind and daily productivity. While driving, perhaps leave it in the glove compartment so you won’t know whether you received a text until you’re off the road.

For Facebook (or other social media sites) addicts, StayFocused is an incredible app for temporarily blocking certain websites while you’re trying to work on the computer. Using this app means you can’t access your favorite websites until the time is up, forcing you to stay focused on the task.

How do you stay disconnected? Can you think of any other benefits of turning off the tech for a while? Tell us in the comment section below.

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This article is from Kelly Kehoe of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Out-of-Fashion but Totally Frugal Old Tools

Mikey Rox — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:24:13 +0000

We all love the convenience that modern technology affords, but that convenience often comes with a hefty price tag.

You don’t have to pay top dollar for newfangled devices, however. You can save a sizable sum by swearing off appliances and other tools with batteries and cords in favor of their old-fashioned counterparts that only need a bit of elbow grease to get the job done.

Time to get nostalgic then. Here are 10 such tools. (See also: The Best 10 Items to Borrow)

1. Push Reel Mower

This early lawn mower design makes me laugh because it’s probably one of the most dangerous devices ever made. I’m sure some fingers and toes were lost in the '50s and '60s due to curiosity and negligence. But if you're smart enough to know that you shouldn't stick your digits anywhere near spinning, exposed blades, you'll be OK. The push reel mower is powered by forward motion, so you're saving money on gas versus a modern-day push mower or an extremely expensive riding mower. Plus you'll get lots of exercise trying to push it around the yard to get the job done. This frugal device is not for the faint of heart — it's a serious workout. Bring water.

2. Washboard

The first thing I think of when the image of a washboard pops into my head is “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas;” I think it was a beaver who used this tool as his instrument of choice. While you’ll be hard-pressed to find a washboard outside of an antique store, this is a frugal tool that I can totally get behind. A lot of my clothing is delicate — wools, cashmeres, etc. — so I sometimes prefer to wash single items by hand. The washboard can help release the stains much quicker than trying to scrape them out with your fingers or a quarter (and don’t act like you’ve never done the latter).

3. Eggbeater

While it’s called an eggbeater, this device is a multipurpose beater that preceded your handheld electric mixer or that coveted Kitchen Aid. I’m not sure why it was even used for eggs in the first place — a fork works just fine to beat eggs in my house, as I’m sure it did for the pilgrims — but the beater came in handy for other mixtures (like cake batter) that required more beating gusto than a fork can produce. While the old eggbeater is frugal, it’s also a tool that requires strength and stamina. Have you ever tried beating anything with this device? After about 30 seconds you’ll realize why it’s extinct.

4. Paper Maps

Confession time — I have never used a paper map to get anywhere because I don’t know how to read a paper map. Does anyone, really? The only examples I’ve seen of people using paper maps end in them arguing and crumbling it up — which is not a sign of people who are getting along fine with the map. (Besides, by the time I reached driving age, MapQuest was invented.) The benefit to paper maps over your phone or GPS, however, is that there are few errors. Paper maps are painstakingly created so they’re virtually perfect, whereas today’s technology can malfunction and send you off course.

5. Meat Grinder

If you want to avoid paying premium prices for ground beef, invest in a meat grinder and turn cheap cuts of beef into hamburger patties with just a few cranks of the handle at home. A meat grinder is ideal for any kind of meat that you want ground up, and some versions have an attachment so you can turn ground meat into homemade sausages. Throw those puppies on the grill, and you'll definitely wow the crowd with your culinary skills.

6. Payphone

Are you as surprised as I am when you see a payphone? And when did they all disappear? It was like some covert government operation eliminated all the payphones one night while we were sleeping. In any case, the payphone is infinitely cheaper than your cell phone when you compare how much you actually talk on the phone by how much you pay for it. The base rate of my cell phone plan (just to make calls) is $46.99 a month. Last month I talked for 42 minutes total, which means that I paid $1.11 per minute. If I didn't like texting so much or reading Wikipedia at night under the covers while my husband is snoring, I'd definitely drop my mobile plan and seek out a payphone when I need to make my two phone calls a month.

7. Typewriter

There are plenty of arguments on why the computer is superior to the typewriter, but if you have no use for the Internet and you don’t mind producing documents spotted with Wite-Out, by all means return to using the typewriter and save. Plus, a typewriter has that retro-cool thing goin' for it. It's also the perfect device to use if you want to be crafty with gift tags or individual thank-you cards.

8. Floor Sweeper

Dyson does an excellent job of making a vacuum cleaner look sexy; people think I’m crazy when I ask for these newfangled products for Christmas. (Yes, I might be the only boy in the world who is happy to receive appliances and cookware as gifts.) However, if you don’t want to spend upwards of $400 dollars on that brilliant ball design, a floor sweeper will pick up all the same crud from your abode for much less. Other benefits include no cord to trip over or wrap up and no noisy motor to send your dogs into a tizzy.

9. Abacus

One of my Facebook friends suggested this old-fashioned-but-frugal tool, and I agree 100%. Anybody who was in high school in the late ‘90s knows that most modern curriculums required a high-priced, huge calculator designed by — for the most part — Texas Instruments. (I should have bought stock in that company 10 years ago.) The truth is, though, my purchase of that calculator was a major waste of money because I couldn’t care less about any kind of math beyond basic arithmetic (and because I mostly used it to play games in math class). I didn’t need algebra, calculus, or trigonometry then, and I sure as heck don’t need it now. Long live the abacus and its simple, cheap system of teaching us how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

10. Can Opener

Another confession — when I was living on my own for the first time, I had no idea how to operate a manual can opener. It was foreign to me because I grew up with an electric one. But just because I didn’t know how to use it doesn’t mean that I don’t think it’s a valuable tool. In fact, I think an electric can opener is probably the most useless modern device mention on this list. I also think it was invented by the laziest person on the planet. Comparably, how much faster does an electric can opener open a can than a manual opener opens a can? Like five seconds? Come on. I’ll stick with the thing that costs $3 instead of the one that costs $30.

Time to chime in. What other old fashioned, frugal devices can you think of? Do you still use any of them instead of the modern devices? Let me know in the comments below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Are You Getting Charged by a Text Message Scam?

Xin Lu — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:24:17 +0000

Recently, I started to receive some spam text messages. Then I got a text that was more disconcerting. It said that I signed up for a $9.99-a-month service called Bingoroo, which I never did, and welcomed me to the service. (See also: Living Without a Landline)

I was a bit confused, so I looked up the company name in the text message — it's some text message bingo game. Their website says that you have to text them to subscribe, and I never did. So called AT&T customer service to ask what this is all about.

The AT&T customer service representative was very apologetic and told me that this is a third party company that is using the AT&T direct billing system to sell their content. I asked her how I can get rid of it. She said that this happens often and told me that I have to text STOP to them right away, and if I do get a $9.99 charge on my bill, I should call them back to get rid of the charge. Also, in her system she did see that the subscription is active even though I did not purchase it.

Here is what is really scary — I asked the AT&T employee if any of these SMS content companies could just bill me if they had my phone number, and her answer was yes. Then I asked what would have happened if I hadn't read my text and replied STOP, and her answer was that basically they would keep on charging me through my wireless bill. Essentially, for these text message services, having someone's phone number is as good as having their credit card, especially if the victim is someone who does not even use texting and just ignores the messages.

I asked the representative how I could prevent these schemes, and she told me that there is actually a free-purchase blocker option that I could set up for my lines. However, this option is only available to technical support as part of parental controls, and there is no option on AT&T's website to turn it on. I told her that I would like to set it up for all my lines. This means all automatic purchases through SMS will be blocked, but AT&T will issue me a PIN that can be used in case I want to make any purchases. Also, AT&T will cancel all current subscriptions.

After this ordeal I researched premium SMS scams a bit, and they can come in many forms. There are actually many mobile phone apps that are disguised as games but actually sign people up to these useless services that charge a monthly fee. However, most service providers have an option to block content purchases. Here are a few tips to stop yourself from being a premium SMS scam victim.

Check your phone bill and content subscriptions, and make sure everything is what you ordered. If you have AT&T, premium subscriptions can be checked on their Manage Mobile Purchases & Downloads page.
Read your spam texts and text STOP immediately to messages that say you've signed up for something. According to the AT&T customer service representative, this gives the phone company a record when you unsubscribed, so when you contest the charges, you have them on your side.
Contest any charges for services you did not purchase as soon as you can. I've read some stories that some people have been charged hundreds of dollars over years of being victimized.
Turn on premium content blocking with your phone company so that purchases through texting can be only made by you with your PIN.

Hopefully in the future I will not have to deal with unauthorized SMS purchases again, but it really bothers me that the phone company knows that this is going on, yet still allows the offending companies to be operating on their network.

What do you think? Have you experienced a premium SMS scam?

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This article is from Xin Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

What’s Congress Up to? 4 New Measures that May Affect Your Business

Barbara Weltman — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:26:13 +0000

Link:

http://www.openforum.com/articles/whats-congress-up-to-4-new-measures-that-affec...

While some people are complaining that Congress has done nothing, there has been some recent activity on measures that can impact your business. Some changes are good, while others may have an adverse effect. Here is what you need to know.

1. Repeal of Withholding on Government Contractors

The 3 percent withholding on payments for goods or services of more than $10,000 to government contractors, that was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2013, has been repealed by the Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2011. However, withholding continues to apply to contractors who fail to pay their taxes.

At the same time as Congress repealed this harsh rule, it created two new tax credits to incentivize businesses to hire vets:

A $5,600 tax credit for each veteran who has been unemployed for at least six months;
A $9,600 tax credit for hiring an out-of-work veteran with service-related disabilities.

Both credits, which are part of the Work Opportunity Credit, apply through 2012. If your business hires an employee that would entitle you to the credit, be sure have the new employee complete Form 8850, Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit and submit it to your state workforce agency within 28 days.

2. Tax on Telecommuters

Today, more and more businesses allow employees to telecommute. This can be a win-win for you and your employees. You save on space and increase employee productivity, the employee is freed from the time and cost of commuting, and the community benefits from reduced traffic and fuel emissions.

At present, telecommuting from another state can result in additional state income taxes for teleworkers.

The Telecommuter Tax Fairness Act of 2011 would prevent states from imposing individual income taxes on telecommuting nonresident individuals who are actually physically present in another state. Thus, if your company is in New York and your workers telecommute from Connecticut, New Jersey, or any other state, your workers will escape New York taxes.

The measure has bi-partisan support and is also supported by various groups, including the Telework Coalition, the National Taxpayers Union, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, and the Association for Commuter Transportation. However, a similar bill failed to be enacted in the past, so we’ll have to wait and see about enactment.

3. Sales Taxes on Wireless Devices

Currently, state and local taxes and fees on wireless devices average about 16.3 percent, compared with 7.4 percent on other goods and services. The disparity could get worse as cities and states continue to look for new sources of revenue and businesses rely more and more on wireless devices.

The Wireless Fairness Act of 2011 (H.R. 1002), passed by the House on November 1^st, would prevent states from imposing “discriminatory” taxes on wireless devices (taxes on wireless devices are double what they are on other goods and services). This would be accomplished by means of a five-year moratorium on any new taxes and fees on wireless devices.

The measure is favored by businesses as well as service providers such as AT&T and Verizon. It is opposed by cities and states that continue to need the revenue. Let’s see if the Senate can pass this quickly.

4. Sales Tax on Online Sales

Sales tax for online purchases is a complicated matter, with many small businesses unclear about their collection responsibilities. Generally, states cannot collect sales taxes from online retailers that do not have a physical presence within the state. The definition of “physical presence” (or “nexus”) has been expanding as states seek to increase the scope of collections. It can, for example, include not only having a sales force in another state, but also warehouses, shipping facilities, and other connections.

The Marketplace Fairness Act would create the first national authorization for states to collect online sales tax. The bill likely will exempt “small businesses” (defined in the bill as those with online revenue under $500,000). The exemption amount may be changed in a final bill, which likely won’t happen until next year (after this year’s holiday sales season).

Amazon, which had $34 billion in online sales last year, has come on board to support the measure. Some small business groups, as well as eBay, oppose it because of the added administrative cost it likely will entail. However, in the end, it would mean that whether a business operates locally or across state lines, it would collect sales tax on its goods and services.

Final Word

Stay abreast of developments on the federal and state level that can have an important impact on your business. You can keep tabs on developments that may affect your business through the National Federation of Independent Business.

This article is from Barbara Weltman of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: How To Go Without Cell Phones

Ashley Jacobs — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:08 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on how to go without cell phones, ways to make today unforgettable, and how to save on your stay the next time you vacation.

Buying a New Smartphone Without Extending Your Contract

Carlos Portocarrero — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:00:11 +0000

Buying a new phone is great, especially since most carriers will give you a hefty discount ($199 vs. $529 for retail) in exchange for extending your contract for two years.

Why would anyone hesitate to trade two years for a $329 discount? There are lots of reasons:

They hate their service but love their phone (iPhone anyone?)
They're waiting for the phone they want to become available on a "better" carrier (Verizon-cough-cough)
They don't like being tied down

I was recently forced to go this route because I am on a sweet plan that is so heavily discounted, I had to pay retail.

I upgraded to a newer, better, faster phone without extending my contract and only paid $215. If you include the taxes and activation fees that come with extending your contract for two years, I actually paid less than most people would!

Here are four tips I followed to buy a new phone without giving those evil carriers what they want:

Research

It all starts with research. The carriers will tout the newest phones with the latest features, but they aren't necessarily that much better. When a carrier says stuff like "this phone will keep you connected to your friends via Facebook," you know they're talking crap. Most smartphones can do most tasks, so don't fall for carriers' marketing spin.

You have to rely on yourself to know the facts. Read reviews on sites like Engadget and Gizmodo. See what Consumer Reports has to say. Ask your friends what features they use and like. Ask the people who follow you on Twitter.

Just don't walk into a carrier's store and ask the person behind the counter what the best phone is...it isn't in your best interest.

Hold the Phone

After you've done your research and narrowed it down to two or three phones, it's essential that you actually hold them in your hand and test them out.

You're trying to answer crucial questions like:

How does it feel in your hand?
Do you need a keyboard?
How is the screen's responsiveness?
How does the interface work for you?
Will other people think you're cool if you have this phone?

I went into two different T-Mobile stores a couple of times to play with two different phones: the Samsung Vibrant and the HTC G2. The screen on the Vibrant was amazing, but the G2 had a keyboard. They were two totally different phones with their own pluses and minuses.

Reviews help, but the best way to know if a phone works for you is by holding it and testing it.

Buying It: Use Craigslist and eBay

Craigslist and eBay are a great way to find phones that are in great condition at heavy discounts.

Ideally you'll find a phone that has been well taken care of. That means you may have to buy a phone that has been out there for a few months already. Nobody said this was going to be a free ride.

Also, make sure to ask your local carrier's store if they have any refurbished or returned phones. These are practically new but have to be sold for less because they've been opened and used.

I was lucky enough to find a guy online selling a Nexus One for $365 that looked brand new. He had put a screen protector and body glove on it from day one so it was almost like I was buying a new phone at a used price.

Sell Your Old Phone

Selling your old phone will help you offset the price of the phone you just bought. Lots of people sell their old phones on eBay and Craigslist, so making yours stand out is important if you want to get top dollar. Some things you can do to make your listing stand out:

Include any extra chargers, car chargers, docks, or batteries you have
Include the original box and manual if you have them
Lots of close-up, quality pictures
Upgrade the software on your own
Use spell-check so you don't come off like a psycho

See what other people are selling the phone for, and if you can make your listing stand out, you might get top dollar to offset the purchase of your new phone.

I sold my two-and-a-half-year-old G1 for $150 because I included every accessory I had, took time to craft a good listing, and upgraded it to the latest Android version. That made my phone stand out, and I listed it for a relatively high price.

Enjoy Your New Phone!

Now you have a new(ish) phone and you don't have to commit to another two years with your carrier. So when Verizon finally comes out with the iPhone, you'll be ready to jump ship and enjoy the latest iPhone without being on the worst network, according to Consumer Reports.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will earn a commission for any purchase made through these links.

This article is from Carlos Portocarrero of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Kick that Cell Phone Contract: Save with a Prepaid Plan

Steve Klingaman — Sun, 30 May 2010 17:00:03 +0000

If you are married to your cell phone, you may not mind paying top dollar for your service plan. For many people, their cell phone has become their primary portal to the world, and that's fine, especially for cell phone companies.

But if you want, you can save big money by going prepaid. Here's how. First, let your cell phone contract expire. Then shop around for a prepaid plan. A prepaid plan, or pay-as you-go, is just that: a plan for which you pay for the minutes, usually by the minute, before you use them. It replaces the standard contract-based plan and the credit check and termination penalty fee that goes with the contract. Prepaid plans have long been popular in Europe, and are gaining ground here.

(But first, what is cheaper and better than a prepaid plan? Being added to an existing family plan. This option will have the most appeal for younger users like college students and 20-somethings. It does, however, require a little family diplomacy and accountability on the part of the user. Mom and Dad don't usually care to rescue you for late payments or lost phones.)

Prepaid wireless plans are the fastest growing segment in the market today. Good plans, like Virgin Mobile, can save you $20 a month on a plan that allows 400 Anytime Minutes per month. However, not every prepaid plan is cheaper than a contract-based plan, so it pays to shop around.

Prepaid Benefits

Prepaid plans can get you out from a monthly bill. Prepaid plans offer no hidden costs, don't have termination fees, and don't play to your weaknesses. You don't have to undergo a credit check. All of these reasons, and more, add up to savings if you get out from under that onerous contract. When you think about it, what other service requires you to sign up for years at a time and then penalizes you when you change your mind?

And it gets worse. Some companies extend your contract commitment for even minor service adjustments!

A half-dozen major carriers offer prepaid plans. These include companies like: AT&T, Net10, T-Mobile, Tracfone, Verizen Wireless, and the aforementioned Virgin Mobile. You can access some of these here.

You want to keep the math simple? T-Mobile charges $100 for 1,000 Anytime Minutes that last a year. If you are in the phone-as-a-last-resort crowd, that will last you a year — at $8.33 a month.

Downsides? There can be a few:

Cost-per-minute charges can be higher (at least 10 cents a minute).
Prepaid minutes expire (but you can keep minutes active for up to a year or more with some plans).
You have to track your own usage.
Texting involves extra charges, can be incoming only, or may not be offered.
As with all cell phone plans, read the fine print first.

Texting

The word on texting is that major carriers don't offer much. But secondary carriers like Straight Talk Wireless, Cricket, and Alltel Prepaid offer prepaid plans with unlimited texting. They cost more, but if texting is your lifeline and you don't want a contract, they've got you covered for as low as $35 a month with Cricket.

If you text often, consider unlimited texting since it can be hard to track your usage.

Select a Plan, Buy Your Own Phone

You can select a company and buy your own phone on eBay. First, choose your plan, because you will need a cell phone that uses the same network. Contact a company representative and ask if you can sign up with your own phone. If the company offers a plan that includes a phone, expect a bit of a runaround before you get a straight answer. Obtain the network type name (like GSM) from the representative. Ask if a supervisor can verify the information if you don't trust the representative. Document the call for reference in the event you get a runaround when you go to sign up with your own phone. Then purchase a phone to match the service provider.

eBay offers a good selection of phones, and sellers usually provide the network information.

Some companies use the GSM network, while others use CDMA. You must know which protocol your intended carrier uses. Any GSM phone you buy must be unlocked. That is, its programming allows it to be used with different GSM carriers. ebay offers a wide selection of unlocked phones, beginning at about $20. Full-featured phones can be had for $50 - $75.

Here is a snippet from Wisegeek.com that succinctly describes the difference between GSM and CDMA:

Carriers operating on the GSM network use SIM cards. In the United Sates, this includes Cingular Wireless, now one with AT&T Wireless, and T-Mobile. Carriers that use the competing CDMA network do not yet use card-enabled phones. These carriers include Sprint PCS, Verizon and Virgin Mobile. The CDMA equivalent of the SIM card — the R-UIM — will be used by these carriers in the future.

Caveats and Contracts

Before buying, compare the cost of a prepaid plan with the provider's one-year contract price and read the fine print. The cell phone industry leads even the credit card industry in consumer complaints, so due diligence is advised.

If you change your calling habits (location, usage rate, texting, going to Canada, whatever) check your coverage to avoid surprises. Consumer Reports says you can save $100 a year by going prepaid. If you change your habits, even slightly, you can save much more than that.

Of course, for all of this to work, you have to get out of your old contract. To avoid paying a fee, stop accepting (or requesting) new phones and do not change the status of your service in any way. Contact your provider to see when your contract is due to expire. Hopefully, the company has a pro-rated penalty fee, so if you are halfway through a contract, you only pay half the full penalty. Or just wait it out. Do your research in the meantime. If you already "own" the phone you have, choose a network to fit it.

Prepaid plans require a little more…planning. But they remain a viable strategy to get out from under the yoke of a big-bucks plan while saving money at the same time — never a bad idea when times are tight or you just want a little more autonomy in your life.

Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest post by Steve Klingaman, a nonprofit development consultant and nonfiction writer living in Minneapolis. Read more by Steve:

This article is from Steve Klingaman of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

No Signal? 6 Ways to Boost Your Cell Phone Reception

Paul Michael — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:42:07 +0000

Several years ago, a great cell phone signal was a nice thing to have. These days, it’s absolutely essential for almost all of us. We are permanently switching from landlines to cell phones, with many of us no longer wanting to pay for two phone services when one will do just fine.

However, one doesn’t always “do just fine.” You’ll know this yourself if you have experienced dropped calls, broken voices, no bars, and a frustrating lack of service when you’re out and about. But it can be even worse when you live in an area with very weak cell phone reception. But don’t worry, there are ways to boost your signal and keep in contact with the world. Here are 6 of the best.

Ask Your Provider For a Free Signal Booster.

The first tip really is that simple, and yes, there is actually a device called a signal booster. It’s also known as a repeater, and it improves the reception at your home or office by amplifying and repeating the signal. Now, there are many variations of this kind of device available for sale, and can be picked uip at places as common as Walmart and Best Buy. BUT, they’re expensive. Some can cost over $500, which is a big chunk of change. And what’s more, it’s infuriating to have to pay for something else because you are not getting the coverage you are paying for.

What you may not know is that many most service providers will let you borrow these devices for a very small deposit; or better yet, no deposit at all. T-Mobile, for instance, offers customers a Cel-Fi 4G LTE Signal Booster to anyone having trouble getting a good signal, and you are only required to pay for shipping (a measly $6 according to this customer). This is smart on T-Mobile’s part. They know signal strength is a huge issue, and do not want you leaving for another provider, when a simple equipment upgrade will make you happy. So, check into it today.

If You Have Wi-Fi, Use It To Make Calls.

This may seem like an obvious idea to those of you already making Wi-Fi calls, but for many people, it’s an option they had never considered. Most of us are lucky to have Wi-Fi in our homes, and we tap into it with our iPads, computers, DVD players and gaming consoles to access the Internet and online content.

However, it is also very handy for making phone calls, and several smartphones and providers have a Wi-Fi calling feature. You can even set up your phone to automatically connect to Wi-Fi when you get home, and you will not even notice that you are making and receiving calls over the Internet rather than via a cell phone signal. What’s more, the switch between the cellular network and your home or office Wi-Fi network can be seamless. You can enter the house talking on the phone over 4G, and finish your conversation over Wi-Fi. If you don’t have high speed Internet and Wi-Fi at home, but your neighbor does, maybe you can negotiate a small monthly fee to gain access to their Wi-Fi signal.

For an Extended Battery, Bring Out The Foil Tape.

By far the biggest issue most of us face with cell phones, other than poor reception, is battery life. That’s why the extended batteries and cases are becoming so popular. Unfortunately, it’s a case of getting more battery life at the expense of the good signal. Many of the aftermarket batteries interfere with the reception, making it weak, or sometimes non-existent.

Instructables user Geezer Nelson had this problem, and decided to do something about it. All you need is a roll of foil tape (copper or aluminum) that you can buy at any hardware store, and a few other small items. This was very a helpful when I had the same reception problems after I added a larger battery to my Galaxy S4. As you are making modifications to an aftermarket battery, and not one that came with the phone, or the phone itself, you are not doing anything to invalidate your warranty.

Try a Femtocell.

This is certainly not as good as a signal booster, but it may be worth a try if your options are limited. To start with, you need to understand the difference between a signal booster and a femtocell. Basically, a signal booster captures the signal outside of your home or office, amplifies it greatly, and then repeats this stronger signal inside. A femtocell is more like a mini cell phone tower. It’s about the size of a router, and works in much the same way. Femtocells work with one specific provider, and can eat up your Internet bandwidth. BUT, they are easier to install, and are a better option for people who have absolutely no coverage (a signal booster NEEDS some kind of signal to boost). You can read more about femtocells, and the pros and cons of the technology, right here.

Use an External Antenna.

A Jack External Antenna plugs into the headphone jack of your phone and promises to boost the signal. Depending on the make and model of your cell phone, there will be different options available to you. And as always, different options means different prices. Of course, the major drag with these is that they are bulky, inconvenient, and are a horrible looking addition to any phone. Some of them even look like old-fashioned TV aerials. But if you’re out in the middle of nowhere, maybe camping or fishing, it’s a possible option. It’s certainly not one you can just pop in your pocket when you’re out dancing at the club.

Make Your Own Booster Antenna.

If you’re feeling handy, and don’t want to pay money for one of those external antennas mentioned above, you can always build your own discrete version. It can be done very quickly and easily with simple materials.

You will need: Magnet wire; wire cutters; emery cloth; transparent tape; a ruler.

Complete instructions are available on the easy to follow video below, and will take you under a minute. It’s much less conspicuous, very cheap, and it works. But, as the video states, you do this at your own risk. It may invalidate your warranty, or perhaps even brick your phone. But, that’s highly doubtful.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

cell phones

5 Painless Ways to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill

1. Find Cheaper Companies That Access the Same Towers

2. Learn to Negotiate a Deal

3. Always Look for Employer Discounts

4. Analyze Your Monthly Usage

5. Verizon Users: Deal Solely With Authorized Sellers

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How Family Plans Can Save you TONS

TV Streaming

Netflix

Hulu

Amazon Prime

HBO Now

Spotify

Uber

Cell Phones

Kindle Library

Best Money Tips: The Technology Edition

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

4 Powerful Smartphones That Aren't Overpriced

1. Nokia Lumia 520

2. Motorola Moto G

3. ZTE Blade V

4. Google Nexus 5

5. Various Overseas Manufacturers

3 Surprising Ways to Save on Wireless Bills

1. Join Your Employer Discount Program

2. Make Wi-Fi Calls

3. Get a "Family" Plan

The Last Word

Why Is the Cell Phone Industry So Screwed Up?

Fierce Competition?

Patent Wars?

Dwindling Profit Margin?

Final Word

Seriously, Get Rid of Your Landline

The Ubiquity of Cell Phones

Is There Any Reason to Keep Your Landline?

The Joy of Disconnecting

Productivity Boost

Road Safety

Self-Reliance vs. Techno-Laziness

How to Disconnect

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10 Out-of-Fashion but Totally Frugal Old Tools

1. Push Reel Mower

2. Washboard

3. Eggbeater

4. Paper Maps

5. Meat Grinder

6. Payphone

7. Typewriter

8. Floor Sweeper

9. Abacus

10. Can Opener

Are You Getting Charged by a Text Message Scam?

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What’s Congress Up to? 4 New Measures that May Affect Your Business

Best Money Tips: How To Go Without Cell Phones

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

Buying a New Smartphone Without Extending Your Contract

Research

Hold the Phone

Buying It: Use Craigslist and eBay

Sell Your Old Phone

Enjoy Your New Phone!

Kick that Cell Phone Contract: Save with a Prepaid Plan

Prepaid Benefits

Texting

Select a Plan, Buy Your Own Phone

Caveats and Contracts

No Signal? 6 Ways to Boost Your Cell Phone Reception

Ask Your Provider For a Free Signal Booster.

If You Have Wi-Fi, Use It To Make Calls.

For an Extended Battery, Bring Out The Foil Tape.

Try a Femtocell.

Use an External Antenna.