Need suggestions for lowering monthly phone bill.

[gc15]

So I currently have Verizon, which unfortunately is the only option in my area - AT&T and sprint are spotty with their service. I currently pay around 150 a month with our two lines with 10 gb of data and unlimited txt and call on our family plan. This monthly bill can not continue so I need some advice. I am under contract so I will need to pay for the full device first, iPhone 6s 64gb, which would also lower the bill around 30 bucks, but I also would like to lower it even more if possible. We could lower it another 30 bucks if the other family member payed for their device, but they would rather pay monthly.

I don't need that much data as I usually just use around 4-5gb if even that much and I'm the only one actually using the data. If this means getting off the family plan and using a prepaid service with Verizon then that's fine as well. Is the service any different with prepaid?

I might consider going to a different carrier if their price is much better, heck I would even try out Google fi. What are some other options?

 

[HarryWild]

Most carrier have family unlimited plans that bring down the cost if you have 4 or more users in the same plan! From $80 to $15. That without taxes and fees included! Not sure about your $150 monthly family planning? Sound like you are getting the shaft from Verizon!

 

[willmtaylor]

So I currently have Verizon, which unfortunately is the only option in my area - AT&T and sprint are spotty with their service. I currently pay around 150 a month with our two lines with 10 gb of data and unlimited txt and call on our family plan. This monthly bill can not continue so I need some advice. I am under contract so I will need to pay for the full device first, iPhone 6s 64gb, which would also lower the bill around 30 bucks, but I also would like to lower it even more if possible. We could lower it another 30 bucks if the other family member payed for their device, but they would rather pay monthly.

I don't need that much data as I usually just use around 4-5gb if even that much and I'm the only one actually using the data. If this means getting off the family plan and using a prepaid service with Verizon then that's fine as well. Is the service any different with prepaid?

I might consider going to a different carrier if their price is much better, heck I would even try out Google fi. What are some other options?

Talk to retentions; they often have access to plans not available to the public.

 

[rui no onna]

Most carrier have family unlimited plans that bring down the cost if you have 4 or more users in the same plan! From $80 to $15. That without taxes and fees included! Not sure about your $150 monthly family planning? Sound like you are getting the shaft from Verizon!

Sounds to me service is just $90 and the other $60 is for device installment. Could save a bit more wth prepaid such as Total Wireless (Verizon MVNO, they have 2 lines, $60 8GB shared) but then, you don't get carrier financing which the other family member seems unwilling to lose.

 

[HarryWild]

Sounds to me service is just $90 and the other $60 is for device installment. Could save a bit more wth prepaid such as Total Wireless (Verizon MVNO) but then, you don't get carrier financing which the other family member seems unwilling to lose.

I think you are right $60 for device installment payments! Better to save and buy it then to lease an iPhone! That way you have more flexibilities to take advantage of the market in savings!

 

[Newtons Apple]

Yep a good bit of your monthly cost is for paying for the two phones. If you pay yours off it will lower and the other line that person need to pay the extra $30. The rest is your plan and there is no doubt you can get a less expensive plan. Give Verizon a call and explain that you need a cheaper plan and they will be glad to help if they can.

 

[Dirtydutch]

Talk to retentions; they often have access to plans not available to the public.

Yea man you get a good rep on the phone they can usually iron some issues or for you, even if you have to call several different a ones, I used to have Verizon so it's a tough call to leave them with that coverage especially if you aren't a data hog. I've been lucky T-Mobile is awesome where I live and usually travel.

 

[off_piste]

Two lines for $90 isn't outrageous. You'd have to go through a b-rate carrier using Verizon's network to see substantial savings and that will be at the cost of data speeds.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

I pay CAD $34 for 4 GB Data, unl call and text for my phone plan. Who can beat me??

 

[joeblow7777]

I pay CAD $34 for 4 GB Data, unl call and text for my phone plan. Who can beat me??

How'd you manage that? You can't be with one of the major carriers.

I get 5GB, unlimited texts, unlimited calls on evenings and weekends, and more minutes than I've ever needed at other times, for $50 CDN, but that's with a Telus corporate plan than isn't even offered anymore. Comparable plans cost around $80 or more now.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

How'd you manage that? You can't be with one of the major carriers.

I get 5GB, unlimited texts, unlimited calls on evenings and weekends, and more minutes than I've ever needed at other times, for $50 CDN, but that's with a Telus corporate plan than isn't even offered anymore. Comparable plans cost around $80 or more now.

I'm with fido, my original plan was 2GB of Data with unl minutes and unl texts for 34$ Then we got an free additional 2GB data bonus for 2 years.

 

[jenni122701]

We have a really high VZW bill here, but its due to the amount of phones, phone payment costs and insurances. Because we have 6 lines. Only 2 are dumb phones, the other 4 are smart phones. So its costly after all the add ins and taxes and stuff. But we have the new Verizon Plan XL 16GB $90 a month with data carryover. We really don't quite need that much data for our needs, but we will keep it there I think.

 

[TheRealAlex]

So I currently have Verizon, which unfortunately is the only option in my area - AT&T and sprint are spotty with their service. I currently pay around 150 a month with our two lines with 10 gb of data and unlimited txt and call on our family plan. This monthly bill can not continue so I need some advice. I am under contract so I will need to pay for the full device first, iPhone 6s 64gb, which would also lower the bill around 30 bucks, but I also would like to lower it even more if possible. We could lower it another 30 bucks if the other family member payed for their device, but they would rather pay monthly.

I don't need that much data as I usually just use around 4-5gb if even that much and I'm the only one actually using the data. If this means getting off the family plan and using a prepaid service with Verizon then that's fine as well. Is the service any different with prepaid?

I might consider going to a different carrier if their price is much better, heck I would even try out Google fi. What are some other options?

Sprint Roams on Verizon so just switch to Sprint while they have that special in place to Get you out of contract and cut your bill in half and at Home Just use. WiFi calling.

I've had Sprint SERO for a while paying $30 a month then $40 as they raised it now $60 For Unlimited Data and I have used 300GB I'd Data while tethering or not

And now I just added a 9.7 inch iPad Pro to my plan and with both devices and Taxes I'm at $98 a month that included the $529.99 cost of the iPad spread out over 24 months. No one believes me until I show them my bill.

Some people pay more for just a Phone.

 

[bhayes444]

As others have mentioned, a Verizon MVNO will have cheaper plans, but without the speeds of the full network. Since you say Verizon is the only real good option in your area I would stay away from Google's project Fi. It uses T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, and wifi for your calling and data. Also, to my knowledge you must have a Nexus 6, 5X, or 6P for it to work. No iPhones allowed at this time.

 

[joeblow7777]

I'm with fido, my original plan was 2GB of Data with unl minutes and unl texts for 34$ Then we got an free additional 2GB data bonus for 2 years.

That's the thing. I don't know where you live, but around here the service offered by the smaller carriers like Fido and Wind seems somewhat unreliable. The big 3 own most of the wireless frequencies. My girlfriend is on Wind and she can't even get data or a good signal in my basement! And it's not like I live somewhere rural.

The plans being offered by the big 3 since they eliminated 3 year contracts are ridiculously pricey, which is why I will do everything I can to stay on my current plan, which has so far required me to use family members' upgrades and give them my hand-me-down phones. Signing a new contract with Telus or Rogers will mean paying at least $20 more each month if I want the same amount of data. Americans don't realize how good they have it.

 

[off_piste]

That's the thing. I don't know where you live, but around here the service offered by the smaller carriers like Fido and Wind seems somewhat unreliable. The big 3 own most of the wireless frequencies. My girlfriend is on Wind and she can't even get data or a good signal in my basement! And it's not like I live somewhere rural.

The plans being offered by the big 3 since they eliminated 3 year contracts are ridiculously pricey, which is why I will do everything I can to stay on my current plan, which has so far required me to use family members' upgrades and give them my hand-me-down phones. Signing a new contract with Telus or Rogers will mean paying at least $20 more each month if I want the same amount of data. Americans don't realize how good they have it.

Americans? We pay a lot more than our European and Asian counterparts.

 

[off_piste]

Sprint Roams on Verizon so just switch to Sprint while they have that special in place to Get you out of contract and cut your bill in half and at Home Just use. WiFi calling.

I've had Sprint SERO for a while paying $30 a month then $40 as they raised it now $60 For Unlimited Data and I have used 300GB I'd Data while tethering or not

And now I just added a 9.7 inch iPad Pro to my plan and with both devices and Taxes I'm at $98 a month that included the $529.99 cost of the iPad spread out over 24 months. No one believes me until I show them my bill.

Some people pay more for just a Phone.

I just looked briefly and Sprint only had options for up to five phones on a plan (when comparing rates to other carriers). Is that right? We have seven on our Verizon plan.

 

[netsped]

I pay CAD $34 for 4 GB Data, unl call and text for my phone plan. Who can beat me??

I pay the equivalent to US$12.50 for 2 GB LTE data (unlimited WhatsApp and Deezer music streaming), unlimited text messages and 200 outgoing minutes.

This lasts for at least 30 days. If I consume the 2 GB of data before the 30 days I can pay another $12.50 and they'll give me another 2 GB of LTE data for another 30 days and add the minutes I didn't used from the previous package.

I rarely call anyone so I only use like 60 minutes each month and I've learned to live with 2 GB of data (I have unlimited internet in my house and office).

The expensive part was that I had to pay full price for my iPhone and if I ever want to upgrade to a newer model I would have to pay again full price.

PS. I don't use Deezer at all, but it's included within those US$12.50.

 

[willmtaylor]

Sprint Roams on Verizon so just switch to Sprint while they have that special in place to Get you out of contract and cut your bill in half and at Home Just use. WiFi calling.

I've had Sprint SERO for a while paying $30 a month then $40 as they raised it now $60 For Unlimited Data and I have used 300GB I'd Data while tethering or not

And now I just added a 9.7 inch iPad Pro to my plan and with both devices and Taxes I'm at $98 a month that included the $529.99 cost of the iPad spread out over 24 months. No one believes me until I show them my bill.

Some people pay more for just a Phone.

No. that's not how it works. One doesn't just have good Sprint coverage simply because he has good Verizon coverage. Yes, Sprint sometimes roams on Verizon, but that is in no way, shape, or form a guarantee. Furthermore, it's an awful way to determine one's carrier.

 

[joeblow7777]

Americans? We pay a lot more than our European and Asian counterparts.

And Canada is still worse.

 

[vietalogy]

A lot cheaper if you use a Verizon mnvo.

Total wireless
Boom mobile
Selectel

 

[Geckotek]

Paying quite a bit for 6 devices sharing 18 GB of data on Verizon right now (even after a significant employer discount). Was debating calling retention right before the launch of the iPhone 7 and see where it gets me. Anybody have thoughts on this plan? Also, seems that everyone is paying the carrier monthly for the phone instead of buying outright. Is this the smartest way to go at this point?

 

[willmtaylor]

Paying quite a bit for 6 devices sharing 18 GB of data on Verizon right now (even after a significant employer discount). Was debating calling retention right before the launch of the iPhone 7 and see where it gets me. Anybody have thoughts on this plan? Also, seems that everyone is paying the carrier monthly for the phone instead of buying outright. Is this the smartest way to go at this point?

It's "interest free financing" essentially, so you can either pay up front or in installments. Same price either way.

 

[Geckotek]

It's "interest free financing" essentially, so you can either pay up front or in installments. Same price either way.

That's how it appeared to me. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Flashpoint2020]

Talk to retentions; they often have access to plans not available to the public.

how would you talk to retentions? i have the smallest data plan which is 2gb now but i dont need that much