This is part of our Financial Literacy Month Question and Answer series

Question: Do you have any good tips for saving money on my phone bill? How about my cell?

Answer: Sure, here are a few:

• You may have several telephone service providers in your area. Spend a few minutes with each of them to find out who offers the best price for the services you need.

• Call you own service provider and find out if they’ve lowered the rates. Mine had cut the rates in half without notifying me!
• Check with your internet service provider and cable TV company to see if they can bundle your telephone in with your other services (you’ll pay less taxes, too).
• Consider eliminating your land line. I’ve noticed more and more people just relying on their cell phones for everything.
• If your family uses a lot of text messaging, it may be cheaper to add unlimited family texting to your bill rather than paying for individual messages.
• With 1-800-FREE411, it’s the end of pesky 411 charges and the beginning of free directory assistance. Need the number for that great pizza place or local florist? Just pick up the phone and dial 1-800-FREE411. Put 1-800-373-3411on your speed dial.

Warmly, Cindy