Ways to maximize your mobile savings

(NC) Managing budgets month-to-month, making ends meet and putting some money aside can require getting every edge you can. One often-overlooked area for people to save money every month is on their mobile plans. You don’t have to wait for salespeople to come calling—take control of your mobile budget with these tips:

It pays to shop around. Comparing prices and plans takes some research, but it can be worth it. To make your search more efficient, it helps to go into it with a clear idea of what you’re looking for. Think about the amount of data you’ll need, the capabilities a potential phone needs to have and any features you can live without. For instance, if you stream most of your shows over your mobile device, you might need a high-data plan.

Shop during peak sale times. Mobile carriers often have special promotions and seasonal offerings, but deals can be especially attractive at certain times of the year.

One strategy for making the most of these peak times is to plan ahead. If you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in a plan or phone, you can better cut through the noise and focus on offers that will be relevant to you.

Look for additional promotions or rewards. Some retailers offer additional rewards, such as loyalty points, which can add up to significant savings down the road. If you’re looking at deals from a retailer, consider checking which programs they’re part of to see if they’re offering points you collect. Some loyalty programs, like PC Optimum, let you redeem points towards a new phone and lower your monthly device cost through The Mobile Shop, a retailer connected to the program. That means those points can cover a portion of your purchase.

Whether it’s taking the time to find the deal that offers what you want for less or cashing in loyalty points for a no-spend device, shopping smart can create room in your budget each month.