This week: Phone Bills

1 Skype:Why pay for calls when you can Skype for nothing? Download the software at www.skype.com and get free calls to other computers. Calls to regular numbers anywhere in the world cost a fraction of the normal cost – calls to Australia cost less than 2 cent a minute.

2 Mobile phone audit: Carry out a mobile phone audit every year to make sure you're on the best package for your usage. Phone users who have no idea how many "free" minutes or "free" text messages they are getting could be spending €150 more than they need to each year.

3 Loyalty doesn't pay:Don't be loyal to your phone provider – mobile or landline. The sector is increasingly competitive so take advantage of introductory offers rival providers dangle in front of you to encourage you to switch.

4 Use price comparison site:Take advantage of ComReg's excellent price comparison website www.callcosts.ie to work out the best rates and remember there is no obstacle to taking your number with you.

5 Your needs:Do you need your landline? For some people the answer is yes, others keep it out of habit. A fixed telephone will cost even the most casual user around €500 a year, over half of which goes on line rental alone. While landline charges remain high, mobile charges are falling all the time.