Have you used all of your free texts or calls this month? Well you are not alone. Recent research suggests that as many as 47 per cent of us do not use our full text and minute allowance each month.

If this is the case you are basically throwing money away. If you are using only half or less of your monthly usage limits then it is well worth talking to your mobile provider to see if they have a smaller, and cheaper, contract that you can switch to. Or shop around and see if there are any more suitable deals on offer from other mobile retailers. Another option is pay as you go.

Switching to a PAYG plan will work out much cheaper than even the lowest rate contracts and some pay as you go networks even offer their own free minutes and messages to loyal customers. If you do not use more than around 100 texts per month, or only make infrequent calls from your mobile, then this type of payment plan is perfect for you.

It also makes it the ideal payment option for those who keep their phones for emergency use or occasional use, like when they go out late at night, or go hillwalking and like to be able to keep in touch with someone. PAYG users can top up when they need to, and by as much as they can afford. You can top up by as little as five pounds at a time, so it really is great for keeping costs down.

And you can top up anywhere via your phone, or at most shops and cash machines, so you do not have to worry about ever being stranded without credit. Cutting those holiday mobile costs. The cost of using your mobile in the UK may have dropped considerably over the years, but the cost of using your mobile abroad is as expensive as ever.

The European parliament has made a ruling that should force mobile costs abroad down, so things should start to improve soon. Next time, do not let your mobile ruin your holiday, and make sure you are prepared. First talk to your existing network provider or have alook at their website. They are likely to offer some overseas tariff deals that could save you money.

More good news is that nowadays travel SIMs are also available that offer savings of up to 80 per cent on calls from mobiles overseas. Just pop the SIM into your phone, which you may have to have unlocked first, and you will receive calls for free and your own call and text rates will be reduced.