(NAPSA)—When it comes to cell phones, you might save money down the road by paying yourbill up front. In fact, switching to prepaid services can produce one of the most “dramatic savings for cell phone users,” according to the nonprofit Telecommunications Research and Action Center. And with the wireless trade association, CTIA, saying Americans spend more than $143 billion each year on mobile service, those savings could add up quickly. But there may be an additional benefit to prepaid service: As economists have been advising, moving from a credit to cash mentality might help ensure consumers can afford the lifestyle they are leading. Justin Brennan, a director for a leading prepaid provider, Boost Mobile, offers these additionaltips for finding value and simplicity in a mobile phoneservice: 1. Pay as you wish—Prepay customers don’t receive a bill. Instead, they purchase minutes up front, then thecost of calls sent or received is deducted from their account balance. Because costs are paid in advance, prepaid cellular services require no credit check, no contract and no monthly charges. And now, most prepaid wireless providers let you pay for service by minute, day or month. 2. Go unlimited—Flat-rate prepaid service is a great option for those looking to talk all they want, but who don’t want to think about how many minutes their plan has. For example, Boost Mobile offers a Monthly Unlimited plan that includes unlimited anytimecalling, text messaging and wireless Web with a nationalcalling area for $50 a month. Prepaid cell phone service could help you keep costs undercontrol. 3. Choose a phonethat will last—Theaverage U.S. cell phone is replaced every 18 months, according to the EPA,and replacement phone sales average more than $100 million every year. The lesson here: Consider purchasing a durable phone that can withstand dust, shock, drops and spills. 4. Cut your costs in half— Eliminate your landline service altogether and go all mobile. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, approximately a quarter of all landline phone users in the U.S. say they are very likely or somewhatlikely to convert to being only cell phone users. 5. Save your minutes—With walkie-talkie services, customers don’t have to use their cellular minutes. Instead, they can connect at the push of a button with push-to-talk service. For example, Boost Mobile Walkie-Talkie is compatible with millions of users at Sprint and Nextel as well as providers in Mexico and South America. For more information, visit www.boostmobile.com.
