Look For 'Free Out the Door'

So you want a new cell phone and you don't want to pay any money out of pocket. What can you do? Look for cell phones that are "free out the door," also commonly known as "free up front." You'll have to sign a new contract. And you'll need to do a little research to find out which cell phones qualify. But make sure the discount for signing the contract equals the cost of the cell phone you choose. Often, these cell phones will include a mail-in rebate, which can actually make you $50 if you fill it in and mail it off on time. Think of that as bonus money. You might get it and you might not. But you will get a phone for no money out of pocket, which is what you wanted in the first place.