The first step obviously is to choose the phone you want. Each carrier has basically the same phones with different names, so really you should just think about what you want the phone to do. If you are just going to be making a few calls now and then, get a good ole' Nokia. They are the number one phones in the world for a reason.

If you are just looking for good reception and call quality, Nokia can't be beat. If you are looking for more of a rugged and reliable phone to take to your job at the steel mill, Samsung phones seem to have a lock on durability.

If you are looking for a phone to do more than just call, such as text and internet, there are a lot of good smart phones out there, and you should really read reviews to see which one has the features you want. For texting, a full keyboard is essential.

For email, Blackberry is the business standard, and has an incredibly secure email system. And, if you are looking for a phone to do everything, look at a phone like the IPhone or one of the Android phones. The best way to really narrow it down is to go to a store that has the phones and test them. That way, you will know if you can live with the phone for the next couple of years.

Once you have picked your phone, look to the internet. There are services online that can get you a phone cheap if you are willing to sign away your firstborn, and agree to sacrifice a virgin once a week for the next two years. Basically, they will have a huge list of terms and conditions IN ADDITION TO the regular terms of the carrier that is already as long as Labron James' arm. That is why I would just use their sites as a starting place. See what prices are available on the phone you want and then go to a local store and see if they will match it. In many cases, when you factor in all the shipping, handling, and wait time to get your phone from an online source, a local retailer might get you pretty close.

I always recommend you check multiple sources for phones. Most carriers have a list of their local stores online, so just get their phone numbers and call around. A couple quick calls could save you beaucoup bucks. Just like with any other retail product, often the big box stores like Best Buy and Wal-Mart will have better deals than an ATT or Verizon direct store would have.

On new activations, you also have to factor in things like activation fees and watch the fine print in the contract to make sure you aren't signing your life away just to get $50 off a phone. And please, READ the contract. One of the newest things companies are doing is requiring internet charges for the full length of the contact (usually 2 years). Considering there is wifi just about everywhere these days, why would you want to be tied to an extra $30 - $40 charge each month just to use the internet once in a while. Now, if you are going to be on the internet on your phone 4 or 5 hours a day, it may be worth it, but studies show that the average person only uses about 10 to 20 minutes a day on average, so why pay the extra, unless you are just flush with cash and have nothing better to do with it.

Again, here is where you can negotiate. Ask your local store when there will be free activation sales, or simply tell them you can get free activation online and see if they will match it. Often times, salesmen simply want the sale and will waive the activation fee. Just get it in WRITING! Internet service can be a little trickier. If the phone you want is a "Smart" phone like the IPhone, internet will probably be required. But, really think about it, is it worth the extra a month just to have a cool phone. If not, just pick a different phone that doesn't have to have the internet, or buy one on Ebay so you won't have to pay for it. Alternatively, some companies have a cheaper internet package for $10 to $15 a month for basic usage which they won't tell you about unless you ask, so ASK.

So, when starting a new activation, simply know what phone you want, know the features you want, comparison shop, and don't be afraid to walk away if you can't get the price you want. Eventually you will find a store or online source that will be willing to give you a great deal on a phone that will last you until your next upgrade.

As for upgrades, it is actually easier to get a great deal. That is assuming you will stay with the same company. You may still need to shop around a little, but usually you know if the phone you have does what you want it to and you might just want a newer model of the same phone. Often I see people that have used Nokia flip phones for the past 20 years purchase another one every couple years. It is not that they need a new one, but if they can get a free phone, why not? If you need a new model, again a quick trip to the store is usually all that is required to choose. Once you have you phone in mind, here is where you have to be a little tricky. Know what prices are online so you have ammunition and then call your carrier.

Now, I am not advocating lying, but unfortunately, that is what cell phone companies make you do to get a good deal. If you call up and say "I am the happiest customer in the world. I love your service and was just thinking about getting a new phone. What can you give me." Well, you might as well be saying "Here is my wallet, how much money would you like to take out of it." It's stupid, but the way companies have it rigged, you have to call and go into a tizzy to get a deal on a phone. So, here is what you do.

When you call, immediately say you want to cancel service with a little irritation in your voice. When they say "I'm sorry, what is wrong," you then sound really irritated and say "This phone is trash, I can't get any reception, I am dropping calls, I can't see half the screen, when I receive a call, it is channeling poltergeists into my brain, and the buttons don't work half the time." Then they will say something like, "I will be glad to get you a new phone that won't have those problems."

No matter what price they tell you, unless it is free, say "No, I think I am just going to cancel because that other service down the road is going to give me a better deal and $50 and babysit my kids just to get me to switch." Unless you have only been with the company less than a year, they are going to do whatever it takes to keep you. So, they normally will send you to a supervisor who will give you just about anything you want just to keep you happy. Again, here you can play them a little and just keep saying "That sounds better, but I think the other service had a better offer," until the supervisor finally says, "O.K., I will go ahead and cancel your phone." That is when you know that is their final offer and you can either accept it, or use that offer to really check out the other services out there.

It is a stupid game these companies play with phone pricing. But, armed with a few of these tactics, you can win the game and get yourself a new phone without too much hassle. The key is simply not putting out the cash until you know for sure you are getting the best deal.