5 smart ways to save money on smartphones

Be aware of the marketing gimmicks and ensure you do not become financially un-smart here.

Smartphones have become an essential utility for us these days; in fact one of the leading brands is pitching its phone as your life companion. Be aware of the marketing gimmicks and ensure you do not become financially un-smart here.

1. Do not go overboard on the handset features

Majority of us hardly use all the features offered in a smartphone. It will be foolish to pay for features one hardly uses. Typically the difference between a decently featured phone and a fully packed phone can be anything between Rs 6,000 to Rs 20,000. 

And keep in mind that technology is changing so rapidly that even your smartest phone could be obsolete within six months. Before you decide to purchase a phone set a budget and set it on the basis of affordability and not on what you aspire.

We are sure you will get the right phone if you patiently go through the buying process. Also actively look for discount coupons available abundantly on the internet.

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Every rupee saved is a rupee earned. Fintotal.com has resources to help you become successful in your financial life.

2. Avoid the EMI trap

Though smartphone sellers offer interest-free EMI option we strongly recommend you avoid picking up a phone in this manner.

It is a matter of human behaviour and psychology; when cost is broken down to smaller parts our mind perceives it as cheaper and we end up buying an expensive and unaffordable one.

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3. Be smart while choosing your tariff/data plan

On an average most of us might use about 300 MB of data so subscribing to unlimited data plan is an absolute waste of money.

Ideally we suggest, go for a basic plan and ensure your usage is within the free quota.

Regularly look out for your bill and study the usage pattern and change your plans accordingly.

The service providers keep coming out with new tariff plans and good offers for new customers. They will never reduce the price for an existing customer, so once in a while call them up and get your tariff revised.

One more point you may even be surprised that Facebook, email and chat apps work fine using 2G networks as well.

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4. Unnecessary accessories

All the screen guards, holders, covers, memory cards etc, etc, gosh!

You are not going to safeguard this phone to be passed on to the next generation.  Just stick to what is manufacturer provided and mind that you have already paid a bomb for that.

Why spend any more money on the same? In case you still wish to get some accessories ensure it does not exceed 3 per cent of the total cost of the phone.

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5. Be prudent with the usage

Checking on to your phone every minute causes anxiety and costs money. All the free time you have need not mean you need to be online; data overcharge after the free quota is expensive.

Be prudent while downloading apps. Having too many apps clogs the memory and performance of your phone. Automatic updates mean more MBs.  As far as possible make any large downloads when you are in a Wi-Fi area.

Lastly, smartphone is just a mere tool to make your life convenient and comfortable; it can never solve problems or bring solace in your life.

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Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.