While local telephone service can be affordable for most of us, it can quickly get expensive if you add all of the options offered by the telephone companies.  Asking yourself a few simple questions and making very little sacrifice, you can make some significant savings and pinch pennies.

1. Common services that are added to your phone bill.  Determine if you really need all of these features.  Each one you eliminate will pinch pennies and save you on your monthly bill.

• Avoid using the directory assistance.  This service is added to your phone bill each time you use the service.  Many times the charge is overlooked because it is not an obvious charge on your bill.  Look the number up online at WhitePages.com or use your telephone book and do it the old fashion way.
• Call waiting is another service that is not really necessary.  In the typical household, how many many of your calls must be answered immediately?  Plus, most people have a cell phone.  If the call was that important, chances are that person has your cell phone number and could reach you on it in an emergency.
• Call forwarding is yet other feature that the phone company often bundles.  I had this feature on my phone and I can not remember ever using it.  You may be paying for this feature and not even realize it if you bought a bundled plan.  The same goes for 3-party conference calling and last number called service.
• Voicemail – You can drop the voicemail monthly service and buy a phone that has an answering machine included.  The price of the phone will pay for itself quickly and you can check your messages from anywhere with a traditional answering machine by simply calling your number and entering a code you set up.

2. Long Distance Telephone Service

• Long distance providers is a very competitive market.  Shopping around with the different providers for your area can lead to some really great savings.
• Long distance service through your local provider is typically much more expensive than going through one of the competitors.  While it may be tempting to take one of their “bundle plans”, avoid these because they typically have hidden costs associated with them.
• Determine how much long distance calling you do.  If you do a lot of long distance calling, you will most likely want to go with a fixed rate plan.  Some carriers offer unlimited long distance calling for a set price that is a great deal if you do a lot of long distance calling.  On the other hand, if you do not do a great deal of long distance calling, look into the pay per minute plans.  While these are more expensive than a fixed rate plan, if you do very little long distance calling they will save you money on your monthly bill.