08 April 2024 , 09:21
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Mobile bills are rising all across the UK as phone providers and tech retailers up their prices in line with rising inflation rates, and even being in a fixed contract won't help. While fretting about my bill I took the chance of being out of contract to scour around for the cheapest data SIMs.....and I ended up saving hundreds of pounds by ignoring sales.
Yep, I've saved myself an extra £285 by turning a blind eye to some retailer contracts, even ones currently offering half-price deals. You'd think the current April sales would be full of good prices, but you could end up getting locked in, on an expensive price and have no way out come the price hikes.
At first, I was drawn to EE's latest spring sale, as it cuts the price of its unlimited data SIM by half for a whole six months......but crunching the numbers I quickly realised I'd be unknowingly paying a lot more than needed....£285 more.
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EE's unlimited plan is currently reduced to just £17.50 a month for the first six months, but after this, it rises to £35 a month, but with a fixed 24-month plan, I'd be locked into paying a huge total of £735.
Now, despite the first six months being attractively cheap, I think it still works out quite expensive overall. And by sticking to my one golden rule I can save £285 over at giffgaff.
I urge all mobile shoppers to read the small print for no price rises, as you'll be able to save money like I didThis is all by following what I call my crucial rule, 'don't go for a mobile contract....that ups prices for existing customers' and I'd urge any mobile shoppers to do the exact same. While I did choose an 18-month giffgaff contract, the prices remain fixed at £25 a month (for 18-months) - coming to a much lighter £450 in total compared to EE's £735 price.
As a huge perk, considering the April price hikes, giffgaff won't raise any prices for existing customers if they're locked into an 18-month plan - so you know the full 18-month price will be exactly £450 down the line. As its site says: "No mid-contract price rises on 18 month contracts purchased before end of 2024."
This is similar to other providers, like Tesco Mobile, who up prices for non-clubcard contract payers but won't if you've taken a phone or SIM plan out with your loyalty shopping card.