Money-saving tips for mobile phone contracts

Millions of households are feeling the squeeze with rising costs. So, lowering your phone bill is one way to ease the pressure and make your money go further.

There are plenty of simple ways to reduce your mobile costs. Keeping your old handset and switching to a great SIM-only deal is an obvious win. And, if you’re on Universal Credit, a social tariff could help lower your bill even more.

Compare top mobile phone deals

Looking for a better deal? Keep reading for ways to save on your mobile phone contract.

Consider a SIM-only deal

If you’re happy with your current handset, a SIM-only plan is cheaper than a monthly contract.

Many SIM-only deals are on a 30-day rolling contract, giving you flexibility to switch things up whenever you like.

If you’re not a heavy phone user, you might want to consider a pay as you go (PAYG) plan instead - it's another cost-effective option.

Decide how much data you need

To make sure you’re getting the cheapest deals, think about the amount of data, minutes, and texts you actually use. Check your online account or phone settings to track your monthly usage, so you only pay for what you need.

Here’s a rundown of common tasks that can give you an idea of your data usage, from our friends at Tom’s Guide:

• Sending and receiving 100 emails - 20MB
• Streaming 100 hours of music - 400MB
• 100 social media posts with photos - 500MB
• 100 hours of streaming SD video - 70.2GB

Some contracts offer unlimited data, but these can be pricey. If you’re not data reliant, don’t overpay. On the other hand, running out of data can be costly, so pick a plan with enough data to cover your needs throughout the month.

Roaming

If you’re heading abroad, make sure your mobile contract includes roaming or allows you to add roaming data for your travels.

Don’t get caught out by hidden charges – check out our comprehensive roaming guide for more details.

Don't let yourself be upsold

Your provider will try to tempt you with the latest handsets and contracts, but don’t be swayed. While upgrading might sound easy, you could end up paying more than if you shopped around.

Haggle with your current provider

Already happy with your handset? You’re in a great position to get a deal that works for you.

Call your provider, tell them what you can get elsewhere, and ask if they can match it.

If they’re not willing to budge, ask to speak to the disconnections department. They’re trained to try and keep you as a customer and often have better offers.

If not, it might be time to make the switch.

Shop around

The best way to make sure you’re getting the right deal is to compare mobile contracts online before speaking to your provider. That way, you won’t end up paying for extras you don’t need or want.

Consider the perks

Some providers throw in perks that could save you money. For example:

• Sky Mobile lets you roll over unused data into your Sky Piggybank for future use or rewards
• O2 offers new and upgrading customers up to six months’ free Disney+
• Three has exclusive deals at places like Cineworld and Uber Eats

Use a spending cap

If you often exceed your allowance and get hit with extra charges, ask your provider to set a spending cap. This way, you’ll have control over your data and minutes, and you won’t get any surprise bills.

Weigh up phone insurance

Before paying for mobile phone insurance, check if you’re already covered elsewhere. home contents insurance policy or a packaged bank account, so make sure you’re not paying twice.

You might have it under your home contents insurance policy or a packaged bank account. Double-check, so you’re not paying twice.

Can I get a social tariff for my mobile phone?

You could be eligible for a social mobile tariff - a reduced-rate deal for low-income households. If you’re on Universal Credit or other benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, or Pension Credit, you might qualify.

Providers like VOXI and SMARTY offer these deals, also known as Basics or Essential tariffs.