Wireless plans are designed for different needs. For example, persons who rarely use their phone may opt for a plan under $25. Of course, plans of this sort offer few free minutes. On the other hand, if the wireless phone is used for business, a pricing plan with several hundred free minutes is more appropriate. Persons who constantly exceed their free minutes should consider upgrading their wireless plan. On the flip side, if using less minutes downgrade to a cheaper wireless plan.

One of the most expensive overage fees for any wireless user is Text Messaging. If you don't currently have a text messaging plan, or are using more monthly text messages than your current plan allows, you could be paying as much as $.40 per text message, which adds up fast. You have two options here; (1) is to contact your carrier and have "text messages" disabled for your account. Carriers don't advertise this option but is something you should be aware of especially if you have children who prefer to text than talk. (2) Review the last couple of months of your wireless bill, and average out the # of text messages you or your family uses on a monthly basis. Once you have this calculated, contact your wireless carrier and see what text plans are available to identify which one will easily accommodate the average # of text messages you currently use. In most cases it is much cheaper to pay $12-$15/month for an unlimited text plan than to not be on a plan and pay the $.40 per text message.

Another very expensive overage fee for the wireless user is the directory assistance fee, or "411 fee". Unless you're driving, it makes no sense to pay $1.50 to $2 for a 411 call on your wireless phone. Instead, text the name of a business or person as well as the city and state to Google's text-message information service at 466453. You'll receive a text back, with the desired phone number. You can use this service to get weather updates, foreign language translations, currency conversions, flight updates, driving directions, and more. The Google service is free, though you'll have to pay for the text messages (unless you follow tip number one, above). You can also dial 800/466-4411, another Google service, for free directory assistance.

Call your mobile phone service provider to ask for discounts; you might be surprised by what they'll offer. Many carriers provide discounts if you work in a specific industry, school teacher for example, or belong to a credit union. Nothing is for certain, but in today's tough economic times, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Even though the majority of cell phone plans allow free nights and weekends, off peak hours may not begin until 9 P.M. If possible, wait until off peak hours to hold lengthy cell phone conversations.

Wireless phones come equipped with timers for a reason. While talking on the wireless phone during peak hours, keep conversations to a minimum. We all have long winded friends who are famous for monopolizing precious cell phone minutes. Yet, there is a simple way to alleviate this problem - don't answer the phone during peak hours. Instead, let the caller leave a voicemail, and call them back on a regular telephone line.

Pay attention to your monthly invoices, because some people fail to carefully review their monthly wireless phone bill, they unknowingly pay for a lot of mistakes. It is possible for someone to borrow your mobile and make phone calls without your consent. If suspicious or unrecognized numbers appear on the phone bill, investigate the calls. Furthermore, the wireless provider may charge you for unauthorized services. If this happens, contact the provider and ask for a service credit.

Wireless providers sometimes get poor reception inside buildings, and even worse, in your home or at the office. One of the advantages (not promoted) with T-Mobile, is that T-Mobile uses UMA on their network making your WiFi enabled Smartphone just another device on your home or workplace wireless network. If you currently have broadband wireless connectivity at home or in the office, simply add your phone to the network as you would a PC or laptop computing device, and instantly your signal is stronger as you are now talking over the internet (VOIP). You are still using your minutes, but at least you no longer have to leave the building in order to talk on your phone. Currently only T-Mobile utilizes UMA so this functionality will not work with any other carrier.