Since the mid-1990s the world has seen an explosion in the number of ways we can communicate. We now have text messaging, email, instant messaging, cellular phones, Internet-based calls (VoIP), PC-to-PC calls, as well as old-fashioned land-based telephones. Never has it been cheaper or more convenient to communicate across town, across the nation, or even across the world.



So, why are you still paying a fortune each month on your phone bill?

It is sad but true that many of us have not yet taken the simple steps needed to reduce the amount of cash we spend each month on phone calls. As the number of ways to communicate has proliferated, so has the amount of money many of us spend on communications. Yet, it doesn't have to be that way. With modern technology and a little homework almost anyone can cut their phone bill in half.

First, take a look at how you and your family communicate. What method of communicating costs you the most each month? If it is the mobile bill, could you make some of those calls on the phone at home instead? Could you send some of those messages via text rather than making a voice call? Reducing your total mobile phone usage might allow you to take out a less expensive mobile phone plan.

Do you make a lot of long distance calls? Check out the various calling card vendors on the Internet. Many of them offer calls all over Australia for less than 5 cents a minute with no connection fee. You can purchase them online and they will email you a connection number and PIN.

If you like the feel of an old land-based telephone but do not want the expense of regular telephone service, investigate some of the new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. These use a regular home telephone but work through a broadband Internet connection instead of using the house's old telephone lines. The sound quality is surprisingly good, and many services offer calls for 10 to 15 cents a minute all over Australia.

If you are constantly finding yourself in need of some quick money to pay your bills, it is time to dissect your phone usage and implement some changes. Phone companies often provide a breakdown on your monthly bill outlining your phone usage according to categories such as mobile, landline and international calls. Keep your eyes peeled for deals, speak to friends and family and always read the fine print. Just like that fast money you search your bank account for when your bills are due, there is no such thing as a straight forward telephone contract.

So is easy money something you don't come by too often? Does the cash in your wallet and bank account often feel empty? The money you can potentially save on your phone bill may just become the difference between taking a holiday once a year or scouring the beach with a coin detector. Do something now, not later, and reap the rewards of being smart with your money.