Living costs are reaching new heights.
Energy bills are going through the roof and grocery shopping is becoming a high-end affair. Even our indispensable mobile phones are contributing to the financial pinch, often carrying hefty price tags for staying in touch with people.
But fear not, as money saving expert Martin Lewis has once again delivered a nugget of sage advice that’s cutting costs for consumers across the board. One man revealed his phone bill has plummeted to a mere £6.90 a month, all thanks to a clever tip from Martin Lewis.
This savvy saver is now saving a lot thanks to following the simple piece of advice. What’s better is, his bills have continued to stay low for years.
Martin Lewis, the beloved TV host, shed light on the issue during an episode of his show with a revealing observation. He said: “Mobile phones, are you paying too much?
“Something interesting has happened over the last couple of years. If you’re an existing mobile phone user, you have had mid-contract price hikes often – of 18% a couple of years ago, 8% last year.
“Prices have been going up and up. At the same time, the cost of new customer SIM deals – that’s where you just switch the little chip in the back of your phone – have been plummeting.
“So, look at this. For a 50GB two years ago, you’d be paying £9 unlimited minutes, unlimited texts. Now you can get it as cheap as £3 a month for a 50GB.
“We’ve not seen this big a drop on the lower usage 5GB per month, but the amount of data you can now get for a fraction of the cost, so look at that dispersal.”
Thrifty Brits have since been sharing their success stories after snagging some fantastic deals on mobile phone contracts. One elated customer, known on a popular forum as technicslover, enthused: “I got your £6.90 Lebara deal a couple of years ago and it’s been great. 12GB and roaming included. Absolutely perfect. No price increases either.”
Another added their voice, commenting: “I pay £8/month for 20GB+ and unlimited calls/texts.” A third also boasted: “I opted for pay as you go. I buy a £10 data pack every month which gives me free calls and texts. Lowest contract quote I got was £22 a month, but excluding calls to mobiles.”
Money Saving Expert (MSE), the website founded by Martin Lewis, is also doing its bit by offering handy tips to help Brits cut down their mobile expenses. Despite significant decreases in mobile tariff costs in recent years, MSE highlights that many consumers are still paying too much merely because they haven’t switched things up.
To avoid unnecessary expenditure, MSE recommends following three simple steps.
Start with a text
Initiate the savings journey with just a simple text. This easy step could be the gateway to a more wallet-friendly plan. Just text “INFO” to 85075 to find out if you can jump ship to a more economical option.
MSE advises: “The first thing to do is to check if you’re one of the 14 million people who are out of contract on their mobile and therefore free to cut costs by moving to a far cheaper deal. Ofcom forces firms to tell you this via a free text.”
Customers looking to switch mobile providers typically get a quick response, although those with Three, Smarty or iD Mobile may have to prove their identity by sending in their date of birth. Before making the change, ensure there’s no early cancellation fee.
“Some firms write their text to try and persuade you to stay, but if there’s no termination charge, you’re free to leave,” say the experts at Money Saving Expert (MSE).
Change your SIM
Changing your SIM could be a cost-effective move. MSE boasts an efficient SIM comparison tool to help with this task.
They detail: “A SIM is just the (sometimes virtual) chip in the back of your phone that gives it its identity, so switch it to a cheaper one to save. Thinking, ‘But I like my signal, I’m worried about switching?’
“They add that only four networks – Vodafone, Three, O2 and EE – actually provide their own signals in the UK, while others use these foundations. Hence, using MSE’s ‘Cheap SIMS’ tool with relevant filters can yield the best deal on the same signal, taking features like 5G, Wi-Fi calling, or 4G calling into account.
Get a code
For those wanting to switch providers without losing their current number, there’s something you need to do. MSE added: “To keep your number, text ‘PAC’ to 65075. Then you get a code to give to your new provider, which will transfer it over, usually in one working day.”