• Keep track of your minutes during the month. Some phones have a code you can enter to check how many minutes you've used – and most carriers have Web sites that allow you to track minutes.
  
  
• Many plans have free night and weekend minutes, so save the long calls for when minutes are free.
  
  
• Watch the text messages. These usually cost about five or ten cents per message, and can really add up.
  
  
• Skip the video games and ringtones. At around $1.99 apiece they can add a ton to your bill. Choose one ringtone and stick with it.
  
  
• Think about getting a pre-paid cell phone. You pay upfront for minutes, and then when they run out you have to buy more. They are more expensive, but they don't have any "overages," which can be as much as 40 cents a minute.

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