Cut your spending by $500 a month
In today's tight economy, who doesn't want to free up some cash? Trim the fat but not the fun from your budget - here's how.
Monthly savings up to: $145*
Eight out of 10 U.S. families pay too much for phone service, reports billshrink.com. Use one or more of these strategies to ensure yours isn't among them.
Take a message. Teens who live at home average 1,742 texts a month. Switch to a family cell plan with unlimited texting.
Get smart. College students text less than high school kids. Spring for a smartphone (like an iPhone) with unlimited data if your child agrees to a limited text and calling plan.
Drop the landline. Some 20% of homes have only cellphones. Maybe yours should be one.
Add Mom and Dad. Are your parents spending $30 a month for an emergency cell that just gathers dust? Instead, put them on your family plan, which will cost only about $10 a month.
NEXT: Don't be a snob
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Groceries -
Car -
Shoes -
Twitter -
Timing -
Stretching -
Commuting -
Gas -
Printers -
Generics -
Work out -
College -
Camp -
Prescript... -
Pills -
Childcare -
Pets -
Health risk -
Phone bills -
Coupons -
Assistance -
Taxes -
Shopping -
Spending -
Convenience -
Happiness -
Indulgences -
Temptations -
Fees -
529 plans -
Interest ... -
Investments -
Car insur... -
Banks -
Overdrafts -
Life insu... -
ATM fees -
Cash -
Web tools -
Home -
Energy -
Lawn -
Mortgage -
Tools -
House -
Renovations -
Appliances -
Home insu... -
Sample sa... -
Home goods -
Clothing -
Designers -
Fun -
Food -
Gardening -
Champagne -
Sports -
TV -
Books -
Music -
Club cards -
Tipping -
Vacations
Last updated August 17 2009: 9:37 AM ET
Note: Based on AT&T plans, saving $22/mo. on texts, $55/mo. with smartphone; landline price of $48.