Saving Money On Home Phones
Is it cheaper to combine my phone with my internet provider?
It's cheaper to combine your home phone and internet provider - as long as you actually want an internet provider. You can save money by getting a broadband internet connection and a phone line in one, offering free calls. However, these are not technically perfect and you sometimes get poor sound. Additionally, callers can actually be charged extra to call your home phone which may be a turnoff, especially if you're in business. Another worry is that if your broadband broke down, you could lose your home phone line at the same time, so it really depends on how much you use your phone line. Check out the cable and satellite providers for deals that can save you money. I called up last weekend and asked, "Is there a deal I could have?" and got six pounds fifty off a month. A TV plus broadband war is breaking out between the various providers, so you might be able to take advantage of that and save some money on your phone bills. Be careful of any offer if you still pay BT for line rental on your home phone; you may still have to pay the line rental to BT on top of your new deal, which may mean you don't actually save money at all.
Is there a phone service for incoming calls only?
There are services for incoming calls only which means that you save money because you never make a call. BT service is about £10 per quarter. The incoming calls tariff is called contact plus. However, remember that you can't use the free 1571 message system on this tariff.
Would it be cheaper to just have a mobile?
Some people think it might be cheaper just to have a mobile than a home phone. It really depends on your lifestyle. Mobile phones are usually more expensive than home phones but if you're only using a mobile then save money and don't bother with a landline. I'm the opposite but then I'm a money saving expert! I tell people never to leave messages on my mobile but just to leave them on my home office landline, which is one tariff for all calls. Generally, you won't be trusted if you only have a mobile rather than a home phone when you apply for your children to attend schools or when you apply for loans, as this indicates that you're not really of fixed abode.
How can I find numbers without calling directory enquiries?
Directory enquiry services are criminally expensive. What I do is use the internet to key in the name of a company rather than calling from my home phone. You just look under "Contact Us," get the phone number instead of calling directory enquiries. Or, save money and use the good old phone book; we've all got one at home, or at any library or post office. Keep a written contact book with telephone numbers rather than relying on your mobile, as you can lose everything that way if your mobile gets stolen. Save money by never asking any directory enquiry service to connect you - calls can cost 40p a minute that way.
