When it comes to monthly household expenses, a charge that can quickly add up is internet plan fees. While monthly internet expenses can vary extensively depending on the location, provider, and plan details, one should not pay more than $70 per month for a good data plan. Today, many providers offer high-speed plans across the country. So, here are a few tips for getting affordable yet good internet services:

1. Assess internet speed requirements
While everyone wants high-speed internet, it is important to get the highest possible speed for regular usage. Extremely high-speed internet can be expensive. To stream content, communicate with loved ones, and carry out regular work tasks, one may be able to make do with a 100–500 MBps plan instead of a 25 GBps plan. Switching to a lower data speed can save one a lot of money every month.

2. Compare multiple plans and providers
Even if one trusts a provider, it is not a bad idea to check the pricing of plans offered by other carriers. One should explore all options. Most leading providers offer multiple packages to meet diverse requirements, making finding a suitable plan easier. So, before continuing with the ongoing plan and provider or signing up for a new plan, one should compare all available plans. Finally, one should opt for a provider that offers the best customer support and top-notch internet connection at the lowest cost. Sometimes, trying to leave a provider one has been with for a long time can be beneficial, as the existing provider could be willing to match the competitor’s pricing if one signs a contract with them.

3. Buy essential equipment
If one wants to get a cable internet connection and intends to continue with the same provider for a few years, buying equipment like modem and router is a better move than renting it. So, say the provider charges rental fees between $15 and $25 every month for the Wi-Fi router and modem. In a year, this could mean up to $300 in rental fees. So, buying a $100 router and modem combo is a much more affordable option. However, before investing in any hardware, one should consult the provider to ensure that the chosen devices will work with their service. Also, it is important to note that most providers will not offer troubleshooting or support services for third-party equipment.

4. Choose useful packages
Unbundling existing packages can help one save money. One can get unlimited free entertainment using the internet, so do they really need to pay extra money for the cable package? On average, the cable TV bill can be as high as $100 a month, depending on the channels one subscribes to and the location. If one wants premium content, they can easily subscribe to OTT platforms between $7 and $13 monthly. Further, to watch live TV, one can get an antenna and access a few channels for free. So, unbundling expensive cable and internet packages can help one save money and get only the services they need. However, if one does not want to let go of cable services, they should at least bundle cable TV services with the internet plan. Subscribing to internet and cable packages from different providers can cost an extra $10 to $30 per month. One can find affordable bundled packages under $90 from Cox, Xfinity by Comcast, and Spectrum.