Tips to Slash your Cell Phone Bill

Here is a video with some tips on slashing your cell phone bill. Some tips may not be as useful for heavy text users who use their phone for business needs. Of greater value were comments from other viewers that highly recommend Straight Talk. Do you use Straight Talk? One reader said he pays $30 a month for 1,000 minutes and texts a month. Another user said she pays $45 a month for unlimited talk, text and web using an Android. Can Straight Talk be used for Blackberry?

Highlights of the video:

1. For free texting, Androids and iPhones can download an app "Textfree" but you may have to watch an ad or two. Not sure if that means you have to watch the ad before you text? We have Blackberry so we couldn't test it.

2. If you're a light user, then prepaid plans are becoming increasingly popular. For example, Virgin Mobile, which now includes iPhone plans, starts at $30 a month for unlimited text and data, as well as 300 minutes. To determine whether prepaid is right for you, review six months worth of bills and tally up how many minutes you're actually using. You can also use a free website like BillShrink.com to help with the math.

3. Avoid termination fees. If you lost your job or there is sudden change in the terms of your contract, you can argue your way out of termination fees. It's worth a try. Otherwise, check out third-party web sites like CellSwapper and CellTradeUSA that play matchmaker between unhappy cell phone customers and those seeking less-expensive cell plans.

4. Free 411. If you have a simple phone like our mothers and grandmothers and do not use browsers or Internet, then instead of dialing 411, dial 1-800- FREE-411. That's 1-800-3733-411. Otherwise those 411 charges eat up your bill!

Do you have any tips you'd like to share? Are you happy with your carrier and monthly plan? Share by clicking on "comment".