In the 21st Century most Americans cannot live without their cell phones and rightfully so.  The cell phone is the simplest and most efficient way to always be in communication with friends and family, and it is a necessary device to have in case of emergency when traveling, driving or just performing day-to-day functions.  The problem is that the major carriers (Sprint, At&T, etc.) know this and are substantially overcharging users. 

Because only a handful of companies dominate the industry they have a monopoly and use their power to fix prices; using long-term contracts to rope you into monthly bills that can destroy your budget, and your credit.  There are things you can do to ensure that you get the best deal possible on your cell phone.  this article outlines some of those methods.