It's an expense nearly everyone puts up with, but Consumer Reports says there are several ways to save.
"The traditional two-year contract may not be the best choice for value. Initially you get a big discount on the phone you pick. But moderate users may be paying a lot more for service compared to a prepaid plan," said Rosalind Tordesillas.
Consumer Reports' staffer Monique Little cut her monthly bill by more than half switching to a prepaid plan.
"It saves me about 100 dollars a month," she said.
In a recent survey of more than 58-thousand Consumer Reports subscribers, prepaid Straight Talk earned high marks.
The company advertises unlimited talk, text, and data for 45 dollars a month.
Even if you're in a traditional contract, a good way to save is to check your bill to make sure you aren't paying for more data than you use.
"Of the people we surveyed with a monthly data allowance, nearly 40 percent reported using no more than half of it," adds Tordesillas.
But if you usually burn through your data allowance, rein in those data hogs - streaming video, music, and gaming.
Another tip, make sure your Wi-Fi connection is always activated, which lets you surf and stream for free in Wi-Fi areas. But never use an insecure connection for sensitive tasks like making purchases or paying bills.
