Doing This Could Save You $100+ a Year on Your Mobile Phone Bill

You may be overpaying for your mobile phone service without realizing it.

Many of us seek additional ways to save money on everyday expenses. Even a few dollars saved each month can make a difference and feel like a win for your wallet. If you pay for cellphone service, you may be missing out on an easy way to get a discount. Here's how making a quick change to how you pay your cellphone bill could save you some cash.

Enroll in autopay to save -- and eliminate forgetfulness

If you're unhappy with the cost of your cellphone service, one simple change could help you save. Many cellphone service providers offer a small discount to customers who enroll in autopay and paperless billing. How much you'll save depends on your carrier and the plan type, but you can expect to save anywhere from $5 to $10 per line if the option is available.

Here are a few carriers that offer discounts like this:

• AT&T: Many plans offer a $10 discount per line for customers who enroll in autopay and paperless billing.
• T-Mobile: Customers can get a $5 per-line credit by enrolling in autopay and paperless billing.
• Verizon: Depending on the plan, autopay and paperless billing discounts range from $5 to $10 per line or account.

If you have service through one of these carriers or are thinking about switching soon, make sure you don't miss out on the chance to get a discount on your bill by using this payment strategy. If you're unsure which plans qualify for this kind of discount, reach out to your carrier.

This could also be a win if you sometimes forget to pay your bills on time. Late or missed payments can result in a negative mark on your credit report and could lower your credit score. Enabling automatic payments through your carrier could help you stay on track with your bills.

The savings can add up

While the individual discounts mentioned above may not sound like a lot, the savings can add up over time. Let's imagine you have a plan with one cellphone line and get a discount of $10 each month by enrolling in autopay and paperless billing. That's a total savings of $120 each year.

People with multi-line plans could save even more. Suppose you have a plan with two lines and get a $10 discount per line. That's a savings of $240 annually. Saving $5 or $10 per month may not sound like much, but getting even a small discount could improve your personal finances.

You don't have to continue paying an outrageous price to use your cellphone. Luckily, an autopay and paperless discount isn't the only way to save money on the cost of cellphone service. If you want to save more money, here are a few other ways to lower your cellphone bill.

Review available payment methods

Before setting up autopay, be sure to review the payment method options. Some carriers prohibit auto payment by credit card. Instead, you may be required to pay your bill with a debit card or make a payment through your checking account to qualify for the discount. Keep this in mind if you've been paying your bills with a rewards credit card to earn rewards.

Make your money go further

For the average person, life is expensive. It can be worthwhile to pay attention to deals and discounts that can help you stretch your money further. Ensure you use all available mobile phone service discounts to avoid wasting money.