Signing up to a call plan is a big commitment, if you get it wrong then you can be tied to a contract for in excess of two years (unless you cancel during the grace period). One of the first things you need to do then is get a full understanding of just how long the grace period actually lasts - this will allow you some breathing space to try out the call plan and make sure it fits with your needs. You should also find out how long the contract actually lasts; cancelling a contract is far from the optimal solution and you will end up incurring more fees for doing so, so you want to make sure that you are absolutely certain you have chosen the correct call plan for you. However, once your contract expires you are obviously free to sign up with another cell phone carrier.

Another thing you need to watch out for is your monthly allotted minutes - you should know exactly what you are able to spend (both anytime and off-peak) and you should also be aware of any potential additional charges such as international calling charges and charged for exceeding your monthly allotted minutes total. Keep in mind that all the major carriers now allow you to view your cell phone usage online, which means you can check this regularly and avoid creeping over your daily allotted total - you will receive a hefty bill if you use more minutes than you have been granted.

Another thing you will obviously need to consider is data usage - what exactly do you plan to use your phone for? The latest generation of smartphones provide a wide-range of functionality and as such you can browse the internet, send e-mail, send photos and send messages. You should always look to incorporate this usage into a bundle package and avoid paying for these services on a per use basis, otherwise you will end up paying far more than you really need to. Above all else, don't be pressurised into buying more than you need - of course, you should buy enough to ensure that you stay within your monthly allotted total, however so you really need unlimited messaging and internet access? Always consider what is being offered and what you can cut back to save more money.