How-to Guides » OLD GUIDE Lower your household bills

Reduce your communications bill

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1) Consider a bundle
You could save a small fortune if you’re prepared to bundle. Bundling your broadband with your phone line or mobile will often be cheaper than opting for different providers. You can compare different packages at broadbandchoices.co.uk.

2) Get a dongle
Dongles eliminate the need for a costly fixed phone line, allowing you to access the internet from wherever you are, with no plugs or cumbersome wires involved.

They are only about the size of a computer mouse, you plug it into your computer via a USB port, and if there is a 3G signal, you can start surfing almost straight away.

3) Pay by direct debit
Many phone companies offer  a discount if you pay by direct debit. It’s easy to set up, and means you’ll always pay your bills on time. Read about using direct debit.

4) Make sure you get the right broadband deal
If you don’t use the net for downloading, then you could save a fortune by switching to a more basic package – the packages with download limits are always far cheaper. However, go over this limit and you'll be smacked with painful additional charges.

5) Free talk on the internet
If you've got broadband, you can use Skype software to phone over the internet for free. In a nutshell, Skype users can call each other for nothing, and connect to 'normal' phones for a small charge.

For a clearer understanding of all the technological nitty-gritty, read Make Free Calls Through Your Computer.