Fewer Discounts on Cell Renewals
Phone subsidies are disappearing, but you can still find a bargain.

Amidst all the hoopla surrounding Verizon's release of the iPhone on its network, you may have missed this: Verizon's New Every Two program is ending. New customers are no longer being enrolled in the program, which allowed anyone signing up for a two-year contract to get a credit of up to $100 toward a new phone. Those renewing contracts can redeem the benefit one last time.
As of April 1, Sprint offers annual upgrade deals only to longtime customers and those with the priciest service plans; others must wait 22 months. Subsidizing the cost of expensive smart phones eats into profits. That means getting a phone at a good price is becoming trickier, as companies re-focus their strategies.
Explore the refurbished phones your provider sells. Carriers inspect and certify these phones, so they're often as good as new, and even a new model may be available a few months after it debuts. Verizon was recently selling a refurbished Motorola Droid X, which costs $200 new with a two-year contract, for $100. You might save by shopping at an authorized retailer, such as Best Buy or Radio Shack, or at a carrier's Web site rather than in-store.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Also check out Web retailers such as Amazon, eBay and Overstock. They can be a good option if you need a replacement phone mid-contract, sometimes discounting phones by hundreds of dollars from the manufacturer's price. A phone has to be compatible with your carrier or "unlocked" so it works with multiple servicers. Phones bought directly from Amazon and Overstock are returnable and usually come with short-term warranties. Independent sellers on Amazon and eBay set their own policies.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Lisa has been the editor of Kiplinger Personal Finance since June 2023. Previously, she spent more than a decade reporting and writing for the magazine on a variety of topics, including credit, banking and retirement. She has shared her expertise as a guest on the Today Show, CNN, Fox, NPR, Cheddar and many other media outlets around the nation. Lisa graduated from Ball State University and received the school’s “Graduate of the Last Decade” award in 2014. A military spouse, she has moved around the U.S. and currently lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two sons.
-
Medicare Prior Authorization Expands to Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Starting in December, Medicare will begin requiring prior authorization for certain procedures when performed in ambulatory surgical centers.
-
Frontier’s GoWild! Annual Flight Pass: Is the $299 All‑You‑Can‑Fly Deal Worth It?
Frontier’s GoWild! Pass offers unlimited flights for $299, but blackout dates, standby rules, and fees apply. See who benefits and if it’s worth it.
-
Texas Sales Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Here's what you needed to know about the Texas sales tax holiday.
-
Alabama Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school Alabama sales tax holiday.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online Bargains
Feature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Best States to Buy Chocolate Candy Tax-Free
State Taxes There’s something spooky this Halloween, and it’s not just the ghouls. Find out if your state’s sales tax takes a bite out of sweet savings.
-
Florida Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday 2025
Sales Taxes The new tax-free holiday in Florida brought month-long savings on computers, clothing and other school supplies.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to fund your retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2025 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.