We all want to keep in touch with family and friends, but careless phone use can result in a nasty surprise when it comes time to pay the bill. Here are some simple ways to cut costs while still staying in touch:

1. Get Skype.

Skype is a free download that allows you to make calls from your computer to other computers. If you tend to make a lot of calls from home, then Skype may save you a lot on your phone bill. The catch is that you have to convince the people you want to call to get Skype on their computers, too. Since Skype is a free, easy download, this should not be too difficult.

Another drawback of Skype is that both parties must be on their computers. However, you can easily get around this by calling the person on a regular phone and setting up a time when you can both get online and talk on Skype.

2. Choose between a cell phone and a landline.

Most people don't need both. If you can make free local calls on your cell phone, there is no reason to pay for a landline. On the other hand, if you don't use your cell phone, then cancel your plan and just stick to a landline.

3. Find out if you can use your work cell phone for personal calls.

Most employers have plans that allow for unlimited calls, so many employers won't mind if you use your work cell to make an occasional call to a friend or family member. If your work cell is enough to meet your needs, there is no point in paying for a personal cell phone too.

4. Pick a service plan that meets your needs.

Different phone service plans offer different advantages. If you send a lot of text messages or surf the net on a phone, then you need to find a plan that allows you to do these things for a set fee. Even the fee sounds expensive upfront, it will be less in the long run than paying for each megabyte of data.

5. Use prepaid plans for kids and teens.

Many parents feel that buying their child a cell phone is a good way to keep in touch and a nice safety measure. However, paying the bill for a teen cell-phone user can get painful. A pre-paid plan that automatically cuts off service once your teen has used a set amount of minutes may be a good solution, especially if you can't afford a plan that includes unlimited calls and unlimited texting.

Of course another solution is to tell kids and teens that they are responsible for their own phone bill. A teen who is old enough to work a part time job is old enough to pay for his or her own social life.

Learn more about this author, Raven Lebeau.
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