Most of my readers out there probably pay for a decent cell phone plan with unlimited calling or minutes that carry over from month to month.  However, for those of you are a cheap like me and have an inexpensive basic calling plan this tip is for you.

This month I ended up on the road for three weeks.  Much of this travel was unexpected. Since we were visiting with family and friends the trip required alot of cell phone communication to set up visits, catch up with old friends, etc.  I was shocked to open my mail box and find a bill for almost six times the amount that I usually pay!  Doing some web research I discovered that previous to the bill being sent out, I could have purchased Sprint overage relief minutes for $25 per 100 minutes.  I found a customer service e-mail, did some fancy typing, and accomplished the impossible.  Sprint  retroactively sold me overage relief minutes and the bill was greatly reduced.

Here are the lessons learned from this experience:

• Keep track of your minutes…Sprint offers ways you can do this using your phone or on line.
• Know your cell companies policy about purchasing extra minutes.  I had never heard that this was an option.
• Take advantage of free local phone calls if offered by your hotel.  (This would have saved me a bundle!)
• Be persistant with cell phone company personnel.  The first representative I talked to told me the only solution would be to upgrade to a significantly more expensive plan.

Hope you are having a great summer full of family adventure.  Keeping track of cell phone use can save you money that can go to hotel rooms or ice cream instead!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

Tags: Cell Phone, Overage Relief Minutes, Sprint