6 smart ways to save on your wireless bill: Change plans, sign up for autopay or family bundle

Considering 85% of Americans now own a smartphone, according to Pew Research Center, there are ways you can shave your monthly carrier costs, too.

In fact, there are many. Here are a half-dozen suggestions. 

Look for ‘perks’: “If you’ve had the same plan for a  year or more, research the latest to see if a new plan can save on  things you already pay for,” suggests Nina Bibby, senior vice president of Verizon's consumer segment marketing.  

Eligible discounts: Contact your carrier to inquire about discounts you may be eligible for.  

Family plans and bundles: You can save on these services if there are multiple family members with the same carrier, so inquire about group discounts. 

Trade-ins, BOGOs: If you’re in the market for a new  phone, don’t toss your old one in a drawer (thinking you will use it  again one day), as many carriers let you trade it in and put the value  towards a new device. 

Change plans: On a related note, you might not be aware  of promotions and new plans offered by your carrier, where you can get  more (such as unlimited data) or pay less per month, or both. 

AutoPay, paperless statements: Many carriers will give  you a discount if you set up AutoPay, which means your account will be  charged automatically every month (instead of you forgetting to pay).