FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: internet

  • Save Money on Cell Phones – Cheap Calls & Internet Abroad

    In this modern high tech world, jetting off without your cell phone can seem like leaving your right arm behind. However travelers often find those pricy roaming costs can bite the budget harder than hotel mini-bars and excess baggage fees. Too many jetsetters return home to find phone bills costing thousands of dollars. By following these simple tips, you needn’t face such a nasty invoice when you return home.

    Doing some research before you leave can help you save big bucks while you’re away. Speak to your wireless provider and discuss the way you hope you use your cell phone abroad. Will you be making short phone calls to folks at home, sending e-mails to clients, or checking in to Facebook and Twitter? Your provider can explain the fees you’ll incur for voice calls, text messages, and data use. If you’re lucky you might even score a travel package, with minutes or megabytes offered at a fixed price. These packages are typically quite expensive, but for a quick getaway this is a smart solution.

    Swapping out your SIM card for a local one is a better option for most holiday makers. However this won’t work if your phone is locked. Your carrier may unlock your phone if you ask nicely for a small fee, but that’s not always possible. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on the idea though; it’ll just require a little extra outlay. Basic GSM phones can cost as little as $20, depending on where you’re holidaying. Then grab a pre-paid plan and you’re ready to get dialing. Most carriers will be unfamiliar to you, so don’t be afraid to ask the locals what they recommend.

    In some circumstances you can bypass global roaming altogether by using Skype Mobile. This chat program offers subscriptions which allow users to call other cell phones and landlines around the world. By using free wireless hot spots in cafes and airports, it’s possible to call home for only a few cents a minute. That’s a lot better than the deals the cell phone providers offer!

    But these days, cell phones are much more than calling devices. The range of Smartphone travel apps can also make your vacation a bit easier, and cheaper. Downloading apps for dining, public transport, and getting about before you go can help you get the most from a city without logging on to the internet.

    If you must get online though, remember that once upon a time we did it without cell phones! Internet cafes and most accommodation offer computers with internet access. Whether you’re staying in a hostel or a resort, you’ll probably be able to access the net for a few dollars an hour. That might seem like highway robbery compared to what you’re paying at home, but it’s significantly cheaper than the cell phones.Cell Phone

    And finally, consider whether you really need to stay connected. There’s something freeing about doing away with technology and leaving your old life behind for a week or two. Without a ringing cell phone or tweets to disturb you, your vacation will be much more refreshing, and affordable!

  • Communicate on the Cheap: How to Save on Phone and Internet Communication While Traveling

    It’s true. Most of us have a hard time getting through the day without checking our voicemails, updating our Facebook statuses, tweeting about our daily activities, or checking email.

    Media and communication have become an integral part of our daily lives, and that doesn’t change when you are miles away. In order to stay on budget, frugal travelers don’t have to forgo these “necessities,” they just have to be savvier about how they approach them. Here are some tips for continuing to indulge in your daily communication rituals while traveling without breaking the bank. Cell Phones (and alternatives) No doubt you’ve heard horror stories about traveler’s who’ve been hit with roaming fees while making calls abroad and come home to find a massive phone bill waiting for them (Internet fees can be even heftier). Be sure to read the fine print on your cell phone contract (or contact your carrier) before embarking on a trip. If you’re planning on traveling or working abroad, I suggest looking into a pay-as-you-go cell phone. Buy the cheapest phone you can (you’ll only be using it for a while) and simply load it with more minutes as you need them. This will provide you with the flexibility to make calls in the country you’re visiting (to confirm reservations, make plans with friends, etc.). Of course, calling abroad (to friends and family back home) will cause you to fly through those minutes, but it’s better to know how much you’re spending as you go rather than waiting for the killer bill when you get back home. If you can stand the “inconvenience” of using a stationary phone, I highly suggest using phone cards (these can be purchased at convenience stores and magazine stands). Typically, this will be your cheapest option. To avoid hidden fees sometimes charged by international hotels, either ask for clarification up-front from a hotel employee (“Will I be charged extra if I make a call from my room using this calling card?”) or, to be on the safe side, always use a phone booth. I almost always opt for calling cards when I’m traveling abroad. I know I’ll save money this way (and it’s a nostalgic trip back to my pre-cell phone days as a student gallivanting around Europe). If you are able to secure an Internet connection, Skype is also a great option for communicating with friends and family in other countries for free. Simply create an account at www.skype.com and start talking for free. internet cafes photo Internet Free wi-fi is so common in most parts of the world (especially touristy parts) that one can conceivably never have to pay for Internet while traveling. The most convenient thing is if your hotel has free wi-fi (either in each room or in the lobby). If it doesn’t, it’s time think creatively. Perhaps there is a coffee shop in the area with free wi-fi for customers (some hotel concierges will have a list of free wi-fi spots). Is there a public library nearby? Maybe you could hop on their wi-fi. I always bring my iPad with me while traveling. It’s light and portable (I also have it loaded with useful travel iPhone apps to help me save money and time) and I’m always ready to hop on free wi-fi if the opportunity presents itself. I recently read an article about a frugal traveler who was able to get free Internet access on his Kindle -- worth a try! If worse comes to worst, Internet cafés are ubiquitous in most cities. You can pay to hop on (or sometimes access is free with a purchase) for enough time to do what you need to get done. Another option is to purchase a wi-fi plan through a site like http://www.wi-free.com/.