Comments on: How Did My Phone Bill Get So High?!? Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Bills http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:16:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Glenn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1884632 Glenn Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:21:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1884632 I dropped Vonage shortly after the bill went over $20/month for the cheapest plan. I have been using MagicJack for over a year now and it has worked great. The first year of service is only $40 ($20 for the device, $20 for service) I then paid $70 for 5 more years of service. That works out to $1.53/month for phone service, plus electricity to run the small computer connected to the phone. I also use the computer as a file/print server, so it would likely be running anyway. Plus the computer only consumes about 35W. There is one downside to MagicJack. They sell your browsing habits to advertisers. This helps to keep the cost so low. To get around this I have the device plugged into my file/print server, which is a headless box. I dropped Vonage shortly after the bill went over $20/month for the cheapest plan. I have been using MagicJack for over a year now and it has worked great. The first year of service is only $40 ($20 for the device, $20 for service) I then paid $70 for 5 more years of service. That works out to $1.53/month for phone service, plus electricity to run the small computer connected to the phone. I also use the computer as a file/print server, so it would likely be running anyway. Plus the computer only consumes about 35W.

There is one downside to MagicJack. They sell your browsing habits to advertisers. This helps to keep the cost so low. To get around this I have the device plugged into my file/print server, which is a headless box.

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]]> By: Heather http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1875282 Heather Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:06:11 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1875282 I do something similar, but I set the payment in Quicken with only the months the lower rate is available. Then I can see when I'm paying the last payment, and call for another promotional rate. I do something similar, but I set the payment in Quicken with only the months the lower rate is available. Then I can see when I’m paying the last payment, and call for another promotional rate.

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]]> By: Shane http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1875252 Shane Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:41:47 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1875252 There are some completely free (at least after upfront costs) ways to get home phone service now. I just recently purchased an Obi100 (Amazon link below) for $43.99 that works with Google Voice to give you free home phone service (it also works with other VOIP services). It was extremely easy to set up as well, and works great so far. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LO098O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=joofaneda-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004LO098O There are some completely free (at least after upfront costs) ways to get home phone service now. I just recently purchased an Obi100 (Amazon link below) for $43.99 that works with Google Voice to give you free home phone service (it also works with other VOIP services). It was extremely easy to set up as well, and works great so far.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LO098O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=joofaneda-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004LO098O

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]]> By: G. M. N. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1872402 G. M. N. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:26:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1872402 I have most of my bills on autopay - utilities, phone-internet, donations, etc. I do not worry about it. I have my utilities on autopay from my checking and the payment is set up for level pay. I also get a monthly written statement from the city. The phone company also sends out a written statement for my phone/internet. I dropped my cable last year. As to checking, I have paperless statements, but print them out each month (I have years of one sided, used paper) and balance them. I do this with my 2 cc's also, and pay them online manually, after I have balanced them. I worked in an S&L for 13.5 years and know the necessity of balancing each month. My online payments do not have charges. I have most of my bills on autopay – utilities, phone-internet, donations, etc. I do not worry about it. I have my utilities on autopay from my checking and the payment is set up for level pay. I also get a monthly written statement from the city. The phone company also sends out a written statement for my phone/internet. I dropped my cable last year.

As to checking, I have paperless statements, but print them out each month (I have years of one sided, used paper) and balance them. I do this with my 2 cc’s also, and pay them online manually, after I have balanced them. I worked in an S&L for 13.5 years and know the necessity of balancing each month. My online payments do not have charges.

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]]> By: Brandon http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1870762 Brandon Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:28:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1870762 I've had Ooma for almost 2 years. The call quality has been excellent. I may have gotten disconnected one time, however, I'm not sure. The person I was talking to was talking on an AT&T cell phone and was driving through an area notorious for having a bad/no signal, so I'm not sure. I'd highly recommend it, I'd put up with much worse for what I paid for it! I’ve had Ooma for almost 2 years. The call quality has been excellent. I may have gotten disconnected one time, however, I’m not sure. The person I was talking to was talking on an AT&T cell phone and was driving through an area notorious for having a bad/no signal, so I’m not sure.

I’d highly recommend it, I’d put up with much worse for what I paid for it!

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]]> By: Bella http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1870252 Bella Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:33:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1870252 Yea, but 911 service isn't just different - it's no longer garanteed. For people with small children the idea that 911 won't be there when you need it is pretty significant! I'm surprised that the author talks about wanting to make sure he has a land line - but then goes on to say he has VOIP which is about as reliable as cell phones. The only reason we have our home phone is to get 911 service - I wish there was an option to just get that for like $2 a month - but then everyone would can their landlines and the companies would be out of business. Yea, but 911 service isn’t just different – it’s no longer garanteed. For people with small children the idea that 911 won’t be there when you need it is pretty significant! I’m surprised that the author talks about wanting to make sure he has a land line – but then goes on to say he has VOIP which is about as reliable as cell phones. The only reason we have our home phone is to get 911 service – I wish there was an option to just get that for like $2 a month – but then everyone would can their landlines and the companies would be out of business.

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]]> By: julie333w http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1870092 julie333w Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:36:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1870092 We also switched from Vonage to Ooma, but I have not been very happy with the quality of the calls on Ooma. Often the call sounds like it is breaking up. I would like to switch back to Vonage, actually. When I called Vonage to cancel they offered me a much better rate. With that rate I would have staye with them but had already purchase the Ooma box. We are also having one other problem - we get all our calls no problem except for two familiy members, who are Vonage customers, say that when they call they get the message that our number is out of service. I need to call either Ooma or Vonage and try to get that sorted out. It won't be fun I am sure. We also switched from Vonage to Ooma, but I have not been very happy with the quality of the calls on Ooma. Often the call sounds like it is breaking up. I would like to switch back to Vonage, actually. When I called Vonage to cancel they offered me a much better rate. With that rate I would have staye with them but had already purchase the Ooma box.

We are also having one other problem – we get all our calls no problem except for two familiy members, who are Vonage customers, say that when they call they get the message that our number is out of service. I need to call either Ooma or Vonage and try to get that sorted out. It won’t be fun I am sure.

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]]> By: Coley http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869512 Coley Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:39:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869512 "Since early 2009 our bill had gone from around $17 to over $30—a 68% increase!" That's a 76% increase, at least. (30-17) / 17 = 0.76 “Since early 2009 our bill had gone from around $17 to over $30—a 68% increase!”

That’s a 76% increase, at least.

(30-17) / 17 = 0.76

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]]> By: Tom http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869392 Tom Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:35:47 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869392 I made the same mistake with Verizon, and even though I checked the statement and immediately realized that they were charging me for a service (identity protection, or somesuch) that I had explicitly refused, it was very hard to get reimbursed for the fraudulent charge. I believe this practice has been discussed on this site before. I also had problems cancelling the service, even though I didn't have a contract, and my disputes with them came at a difficult time, when I was in the middle of a move. I'll never set up my billing like this again. Tom I made the same mistake with Verizon, and even though I checked the statement and immediately realized that they were charging me for a service (identity protection, or somesuch) that I had explicitly refused, it was very hard to get reimbursed for the fraudulent charge. I believe this practice has been discussed on this site before. I also had problems cancelling the service, even though I didn’t have a contract, and my disputes with them came at a difficult time, when I was in the middle of a move. I’ll never set up my billing like this again.
Tom

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]]> By: bobj http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869342 bobj Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:27:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869342 bye voy vonage! bye voy vonage!

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]]> By: Ben - BankAim http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869222 Ben - BankAim Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:05:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869222 That sucks! My home phone/internet bill was creeping up, up to the point I knew they were overcharging me. So I made a phone call and found out that they were charging me for equipment that I didn't have!! They took off the extra charges but if you don't watch them, they can easily charge you extra. These were bills we would pay 'automatically' and didn't really pay attention.. not any more. That sucks! My home phone/internet bill was creeping up, up to the point I knew they were overcharging me. So I made a phone call and found out that they were charging me for equipment that I didn’t have!! They took off the extra charges but if you don’t watch them, they can easily charge you extra. These were bills we would pay ‘automatically’ and didn’t really pay attention.. not any more.

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]]> By: Marcia Wilwerding http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869092 Marcia Wilwerding Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:09:38 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869092 Twice now our local internet/phone company has charged us for the service call to come out and repair the line out at the pole ($35, their responsibility). If we had our bill automatically deducted from our bank account and had our bills only online, we probably would have missed it completely. I'd suggest having paper bills and paying them personally each month. Though we use the online payment services of the companies who provide them (saving postage and checks), one must also beware of extra charges for using online bill payments, which some companies charge for the service. So many hidden charges. So complicated, sometimes. But, diligence will help us "get rich slowly." Thanks so much for all your great work! Twice now our local internet/phone company has charged us for the service call to come out and repair the line out at the pole ($35, their responsibility). If we had our bill automatically deducted from our bank account and had our bills only online, we probably would have missed it completely. I’d suggest having paper bills and paying them personally each month. Though we use the online payment services of the companies who provide them (saving postage and checks), one must also beware of extra charges for using online bill payments, which some companies charge for the service. So many hidden charges. So complicated, sometimes. But, diligence will help us “get rich slowly.” Thanks so much for all your great work!

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]]> By: rb http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869022 rb Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:26:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869022 Check all autopay charges in all accts. My friend just discovered a $200 charge per month that was the result of fraud. Someone had stolen the acct number and had been charging this for 2 yrs. They were too busy to check the accts. Check all autopay charges in all accts. My friend just discovered a $200 charge per month that was the result of fraud. Someone had stolen the acct number and had been charging this for 2 yrs. They were too busy to check the accts.

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]]> By: Well Heeled Blog http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869012 Well Heeled Blog Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:15:46 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869012 Agreed. I put my student loan bills on automatic withdrawal, but the other bills I'd like to see before I click pay. To be honest, though, this has cost me in late fees a few times in the past 5 years. Agreed. I put my student loan bills on automatic withdrawal, but the other bills I’d like to see before I click pay. To be honest, though, this has cost me in late fees a few times in the past 5 years.

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]]> By: Stellamarina http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1869002 Stellamarina Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:03:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1869002 I like out land line for the same reason. We have a princess phone, with a cord, to plug in to the jack if the power goes off as the cordless ones do not work without power. I like out land line for the same reason. We have a princess phone, with a cord, to plug in to the jack if the power goes off as the cordless ones do not work without power.

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]]> By: vhien http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868962 vhien Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:50:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868962 I have a mobile phone enrolled to a plan and it's convinient because before the due date it has automatic update via SMS on what's the amount of my bill so I'm always updated. I have a mobile phone enrolled to a plan and it’s convinient because before the due date it has automatic update via SMS on what’s the amount of my bill so I’m always updated.

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]]> By: krantcents http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868902 krantcents Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:50:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868902 I check my bills monthly even when I autopay it. I check my bills monthly even when I autopay it.

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]]> By: jennifer ressmann http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868822 jennifer ressmann Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:45:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868822 I find when we get a deal - I mark it on the calendar as to when it runs out. Then I touch base with the phone company to see about other deals when current ones run out. We also nit pick all our bills. I'm absolutely checking out Ooma! thanks! I find when we get a deal – I mark it on the calendar as to when it runs out. Then I touch base with the phone company to see about other deals when current ones run out. We also nit pick all our bills.

I’m absolutely checking out Ooma! thanks!

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]]> By: babysteps http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868742 babysteps Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:53:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868742 Cable companies have another "interesting" unexpectedly high charge, for when you move your small business account to them. The install is free with an x year contract, and the monthly rate stays where it's put... But the partial first month is invariably way higher (like 150% of what the contract full month price is) - somehow the contract rate is good only for full months. Has happened with Optimum Online & Time Warner. Doesn't seem to affect the final month (got a normal pro-rated refund - assume you must be beyond the contract minimum), and the contract rate didn't change when we went beyond the initial term. Also, once went from 4 phone lines to 3 and the price went up instead of down! Cable companies have another “interesting” unexpectedly high charge, for when you move your small business account to them.

The install is free with an x year contract, and the monthly rate stays where it’s put…

But the partial first month is invariably way higher (like 150% of what the contract full month price is) – somehow the contract rate is good only for full months.

Has happened with Optimum Online & Time Warner. Doesn’t seem to affect the final month (got a normal pro-rated refund – assume you must be beyond the contract minimum), and the contract rate didn’t change when we went beyond the initial term.

Also, once went from 4 phone lines to 3 and the price went up instead of down!

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]]> By: retirebyforty http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868682 retirebyforty Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:38:04 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868682 I was lucky to get Ooma before they started charging a monthly fee. It's still a great deal though. I was lucky to get Ooma before they started charging a monthly fee. It’s still a great deal though.

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]]> By: Bella http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868582 Bella Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:33:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868582 I pay bills online - my banking website shows me the last three payments made to a company when I click on their name. This helps me to see any changes month to month - easiest way to keep track of satalite, DSL and phone bill changes. Then I just call and ask what changed that month if I see a jump. Usually it's a promotiona rate that expired and I'm able to immediatly either cancel the service or transfer to the 'retention dept' my favorite people in the whole (customer service) world... As for paper bills - no better way to get your identity stolen, the fewer things coming in the actual mail for me the better. Also helps when things are electronic - it's green and portable. No worries about getting or paying bills when I'm out of town. I pay bills online – my banking website shows me the last three payments made to a company when I click on their name. This helps me to see any changes month to month – easiest way to keep track of satalite, DSL and phone bill changes. Then I just call and ask what changed that month if I see a jump. Usually it’s a promotiona rate that expired and I’m able to immediatly either cancel the service or transfer to the ‘retention dept’ my favorite people in the whole (customer service) world… As for paper bills – no better way to get your identity stolen, the fewer things coming in the actual mail for me the better. Also helps when things are electronic – it’s green and portable. No worries about getting or paying bills when I’m out of town.

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]]> By: Ben http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868512 Ben Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:58:39 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868512 I agree that Vonage is too expensive. Many people will read this article however and not take action. They are too nervous to switch to new VOIP technologies such as Ooma and Net Talk. * There are minor differences that scare people away such as 911 service being different and a misconception that the quality of the line is not good. * However, they fail to look at the benefits such as $40 per year phone service. I agree that Vonage is too expensive. Many people will read this article however and not take action. They are too nervous to switch to new VOIP technologies such as Ooma and Net Talk.

* There are minor differences that scare people away such as 911 service being different and a misconception that the quality of the line is not good.
* However, they fail to look at the benefits such as $40 per year phone service.

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]]> By: First+Step http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868502 First+Step Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:55:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868502 I have a lot of our bills on auto-pay, and Quicken budgeting helps me to realize when there is a change. I generally look at the bills anyway, but I may not always catch the increase. When I enter the bill in Quicken and the payment is slightly different than the budgeted amount, Quicken sends a message asking if I want to change my budget. It helped me to realize that our land-line phone bill had gone up, and I was able to go to the phone company website to get a better deal. We still have a land-line because we get hurricanes and tropical storms, and cell phones don't always work when there's lots of local damage. I have a lot of our bills on auto-pay, and Quicken budgeting helps me to realize when there is a change. I generally look at the bills anyway, but I may not always catch the increase. When I enter the bill in Quicken and the payment is slightly different than the budgeted amount, Quicken sends a message asking if I want to change my budget.

It helped me to realize that our land-line phone bill had gone up, and I was able to go to the phone company website to get a better deal. We still have a land-line because we get hurricanes and tropical storms, and cell phones don’t always work when there’s lots of local damage.

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]]> By: Dan Wagner http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868412 Dan Wagner Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:35:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868412 Another happy ex-Vonage OOMA user. I switched over a year ago after Vonage raised the rate on their low cost plan. Call quality and reliability are better with OOMA than Vonage in my experience. We pay ~$3/mo in taxes. Can't beat it really. Even if you pay for the premium features it is still a much better deal than Vonage (once you recoup the adapter price). Another happy ex-Vonage OOMA user. I switched over a year ago after Vonage raised the rate on their low cost plan. Call quality and reliability are better with OOMA than Vonage in my experience. We pay ~$3/mo in taxes. Can’t beat it really. Even if you pay for the premium features it is still a much better deal than Vonage (once you recoup the adapter price).

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]]> By: LAB http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868402 LAB Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:34:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868402 I switched to using Tracfone at the beginning of 2011. Now I have 3 of them. No contracts, etc. Texting, email, and web browsing are unlimited because these services use the minutes that I have already paid for and put on my Tracfone. NO surprises at the end of month! I switched to using Tracfone at the beginning of 2011. Now I have 3 of them. No contracts, etc. Texting, email, and web browsing are unlimited because these services use the minutes that I have already paid for and put on my Tracfone. NO surprises at the end of month!

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]]> By: Laura http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868392 Laura Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:32:35 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868392 I have all my bills on autopay. That way I don’t have to worry about sending a check or paying it online. The one thing I won’t do is switch to paperless billing. I like getting my bills in the mail. That forces me to actually look at the bill, and verify that we are paying the right amounts. That’s how I discovered that we had a water leak a few months ago, when our water bill almost doubled from one month to the other. I have all my bills on autopay. That way I don’t have to worry about sending a check or paying it online. The one thing I won’t do is switch to paperless billing. I like getting my bills in the mail. That forces me to actually look at the bill, and verify that we are paying the right amounts. That’s how I discovered that we had a water leak a few months ago, when our water bill almost doubled from one month to the other.

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]]> By: Dogs or Dollars http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868382 Dogs or Dollars Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:29:44 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868382 Exactly what I was thinking, after just commenting over there. Convenience is great, but it can cost you. Maybe not in late fees but in apathy to higher than ought to be charges. Exactly what I was thinking, after just commenting over there.

Convenience is great, but it can cost you. Maybe not in late fees but in apathy to higher than ought to be charges.

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]]> By: El Nerdo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868362 El Nerdo Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:23:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868362 That depends, when you're in a contract they can threaten you back with cancellation fees. Happened to me with the atrocious ISP known as Qwest. They had the worst service ever but I was on a two year contract. I cancelled anyway but had to pay a bunch of money. Never, never, never, never again. Die, Qwest, die! That depends, when you’re in a contract they can threaten you back with cancellation fees. Happened to me with the atrocious ISP known as Qwest. They had the worst service ever but I was on a two year contract. I cancelled anyway but had to pay a bunch of money. Never, never, never, never again. Die, Qwest, die!

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]]> By: Des http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868342 Des Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:18:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868342 The big take-away I see here is that you need to be reading your credit card statement, not just giving it a cursory glance. I have EVERY bill of mine on autopay, but I also read the statements when they come in. It seems like if you aren't actually watching what is being charged to your card you may be missing more than just your phone bill increasing - how do you know there's not fraud? Plus, if ALL your bills are autopay, then you're automatically in "bill pay mode" when you read your statement. The big take-away I see here is that you need to be reading your credit card statement, not just giving it a cursory glance. I have EVERY bill of mine on autopay, but I also read the statements when they come in. It seems like if you aren’t actually watching what is being charged to your card you may be missing more than just your phone bill increasing – how do you know there’s not fraud? Plus, if ALL your bills are autopay, then you’re automatically in “bill pay mode” when you read your statement.

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]]> By: BD http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/09/26/how-did-my-phone-bill-get-so-high-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-your-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-1868262 BD Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:25:47 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=102492#comment-1868262 Or all the talking about it in the news (both paper and online) months beforehand. Or all the talking about it in the news (both paper and online) months beforehand.

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