Money Matters: Look, if you’ve got a family and a monthly phone bill that looks more like a car payment, I’ve got bad news:

You’re not paying for phone service—you’re paying for some executive’s Mercedes.

But if you want to claw that money back (and keep more of what you earn instead of handing it over to Big Wireless), then sit tight.

I’m going to show you how families all over the U.S. are cutting $500… $800… even over $1,200 a year from their cellphone bills without giving up the good stuff: fast data, unlimited talk/text, and working phones that don’t suck.

Survey says: More than 96% of people in the USA own a cell phone and Consumer Reports say as many as 50% to 70% of them are overpaying for their plans.

Here is what on that portioned plate today:

 😎 Our Favorite Resources
👍7+ Budget Templates and Tools You’ll Love
👌 Why No Budget Works for Everyone (and How to Find Yours)
🤷‍♀️ What’s up for next week

First time reading? Sign up here

Cool Links

Our favorite resources

💵Budgeting

Need to compare cell plans by types of phones and services? Wirefly.com has a simple free tool that lets you do just that.

👀ICYMI

Find more money in your budget in our previous issue: "Exposed: The Sub-Slashing System that Could Find Up To $219 in 15 minutes"

📜Quote

“You have the moral backbone of a chocolate éclair if you text ‘LOL’ and you're not actually laughing.”
— John Mulaney

Today’s Main Event

5 Strategies to Win Back Your Money from Big Wireless

The average American household pays $135/month for cell service. That’s $1,620 a year. Multiply that by four years and congratulations—you just bought a used car with nothing to show for it but a mediocre data plan and a TikTok addiction.

Here’s why you’re getting fleeced:

• You’re on the wrong plan.

• You’re with the wrong carrier.

• You’re paying for way more than you use.

• And worst of all… you don’t even know what’s in your bill.

Let’s fix that.

STRATEGY #1: Stop Paying for Data You Don’t Use

80% of Americans pay for more data than they need. That’s like paying for a buffet and eating half a breadstick.

Here’s the reality:
If you’re like most people, you’re on Wi-Fi at home, at work, at school, at Starbucks, and probably half the places your family goes.

So that “unlimited” plan you’re paying $85 to $90 a month for? It’s overkill.

The fix is dead simple:

1. Open your carrier’s app.

2. Check your average monthly data usage (look at the past 3 months).

3. Downgrade to a plan that actually fits your needs.

Boom! $30–50/month saved. That’s $360–$600 a year.

STRATEGY #2: Family Plans = Hidden Gold

Want to save big without changing carriers, phones, or how your family uses them?
Family plans are one of the best-kept secrets in wireless savings.

Carriers don’t exactly shout about this from the rooftops—probably because they’d rather you keep paying $60–$70 per line, per person. But if you’ve got more than one phone in the house, bundling your lines can cut your bill in half… or more.

Here’s what the major carriers charge for four lines on their entry-level unlimited plans:

Now compare that to four individual lines at $60 each:
$60 x 4 = $240/month.

That’s a whopping $130/month difference just by putting all your lines on one account.

Annual savings? $1,440. And that’s with the big guys—not even counting lower-cost carriers!

You still get unlimited talk, text, and data. Your phones still work exactly the same.

STRATEGY #3: Same Networks. Less Money.

Let’s bust a myth real quick:
If you think switching to a cheaper phone plan means worse service, you’ve been marketed to. Hard.

Enter the world of MVNOs—Mobile Virtual Network Operators. These companies don’t build their own cell towers. Instead, they rent access to the same networks used by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile… and then offer service to you at a fraction of the price.

Translation?
You get the same coverage, call quality, and internet speeds—just without the bloated overhead and flashy retail stores driving up your bill.

Here’s what some of the top MVNOs are offering right now:

Now let’s do some quick math:
If you’re currently paying $75/month on a big-name unlimited plan and switch to Visible for $25/month, you’re saving $50/month.

That’s $600/year—per line.
Got four people on your plan? That’s $2,400/year back in your pocket—enough for a vacation, a chunk of debt, or a serious upgrade to your emergency fund.

And these aren't sketchy mom-and-pop operations. Mint is now owned by T-Mobile, Visible is owned by Verizon, and Cricket is owned by AT&T. They're legit.

Bonus: MVNOs often have no contracts, no credit checks, and let you bring your own phone. That’s flexibility you won’t find at the major carriers.

If you're cool with ditching the in-store experience and managing things through an app or website (which, let's be honest, most of us prefer anyway), this is one of the smartest moves you can make.

STRATEGY #4: Stop Financing Your Phones Like They’re a Mortgage

Let’s talk about the biggest trap the wireless industry doesn’t want you to think too hard about: Financing your phone through your carrier.

A brand-new iPhone 16 starts at $799 retail for the 128GB model. However, carriers often present financing "deals" that may not be as favorable as they appear:

$33.29/month for 24 months—seems manageable, right? Congratulations! You've just committed to a 2-year payment plan for your new device.

Alternatively, exploring pre-owned options can lead to significant savings. For instance:

• Swappa offers gently used iPhone 16 models starting around $538.75.

• Amazon Renewed lists refurbished iPhone 16 units priced approximately at $538.75.

Choosing a pre-owned device could save you $260 or more compared to purchasing new.

And don’t forget:
Holding onto your current phone for just one more year (assuming it still works fine—which, let’s be honest, it probably does) can save you $500 to $1,000 instantly with zero drop in performance or productivity.

In fact, most phones today are built to last 4–5 years. But carriers push you to upgrade every 2, tying you into another contract and jacking up your bill.

Here’s the smart move:

• Buy your phone unlocked (used or new) from a trusted source.

• Pair it with a low-cost plan (see Strategy #3).

• Keep it for 3–4 years, not 18–24 months.

You’ll spend less overall, avoid being locked into “installment traps,” and maintain full flexibility to switch carriers when you want.

STRATEGY #5: Prepaid Plans = Freedom + Savings

Tired of the carrier games? — hidden fees, contracts, and endless fine print — prepaid plans might be your golden ticket.

Here’s why:
No contracts. No credit checks. And you’re still using the same cell towers as the big guys. That's right—you're tapping into the exact same networks that Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T use, but without the expensive strings attached.

Popular prepaid options:

• Metro by T-Mobile – Get unlimited data, talk, and text with solid coverage on the T-Mobile network.

• US Mobile – A customizable plan where you only pay for the data you need, with flexibility and no surprises.

• Boost Mobile – Affordable plans with nationwide coverage, all powered by T-Mobile's network.

Prepaid plans are a game-changer for people in all kinds of situations:

• If you’ve got kids, prepaid plans are a great way to keep their phone bills in check—no surprises when the bill comes. Plus, with no contracts, you can always change the plan if their usage changes.

• If you’ve got credit concerns, prepaid is a breath of fresh air. No credit checks and no impact on your credit score, ever.

• If you have commitment issues (no judgment here, we all do), you’ll love the flexibility. You can cancel, switch, or adjust your plan without being locked into a 2-year agreement.

It’s all about freedom—freedom to choose a plan that fits your budget, freedom to avoid long-term commitments, and freedom from the hassles of dealing with carriers.

The best part? You’ll often save $20 to $50/month, which adds up to $240–$600 per year. That’s money in your pocket, not the carrier’s.

Bonus: How to Get Free Streaming Services Just by Using Your Phone

If you're already paying for streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV+, or HBO Max, you might be throwing away extra money without even realizing it.

Here's a secret: Your carrier could be offering you free access to those services. That’s right—your cellphone bill might already include subscriptions to streaming platforms that you’re currently paying for separately.

Here’s how you can double-dip (in a good way, keep that salvia-slathered chip away from my dip!):

• Verizon: Offers a Netflix + Max bundle for just $10/month, when it normally costs you $25+ for the same content. You’re essentially getting Netflix and HBO Max for half the price.

• T-Mobile: Gives you free Apple TV+ with certain plans. That’s a $10/month value, right there—free, just for being a customer.

• AT&T: Select plans come with free HBO Max. That’s another $15/month you won’t have to spend.

Here’s the game plan:

• If you’re already paying for these services, stop paying for them separately.

• Take advantage of these streaming freebies included with your carrier’s plan.

If you’re reallocating that $15–$25/month, you’re looking at $180–$300/year back in your pocket.

That’s another win for your family, and another reason why you should be checking your carrier’s perks more closely!

Quick Tip: Make sure your current plan qualifies for these deals. A quick call to customer service or a quick look at the plan details online can save you more than just money—it can save you time and hassle.

Until Next Time

What’s Up Next Week

By applying just a few of these strategies, most families can save between $800 and $1,500 a year.

Start with this: Audit your phone plan. Check your usage, ditch what you don’t need, and stop overpaying. Oh, and keep your phone unless its a brick or requires band-aids after each use.

Next Week: Nico is going to lay out some affordable family activities for every season. As long as it doesn’t involve alligators or skydiving, count me in.

Please let us know how we did today by clicking on the survey below.

Email us with any questions!

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.