Cell Phone Tip: Break Contract without early termination fees.

Are you stuck in a 2-year cell phone agreement and desperately want to switch carriers?  Cell carriers can charge astronomically high Early Termination Fees (some $200+) if you try to "get out" early, so what can you do?

Well you have a few options:

1. Get out FAST.  If you've been with the provider less than 30 days, you can probably get out without penalty.  Check the fine print in your contract.
   
   
2. Roam Excessively.  Deliberately use your phone out of network (set your phone to roam) and use "Night and Weekends" minutes out-of-network.  Apparently this can cause your cell provider to rack up a huge bill on your behalf and inspire them to cut you loose.
   
   
3. Look for contract changes.  If your provider makes a change to your contract (you should get a note in the mail), there's usually fine print stating that you may abandon your contract without a fee.
   
   
4. Complain!  Though unlikely, you may be able to get out of your contract if your service is truly awful and you complain about it often, and in a detail-oriented fashion.
   
   
5. Swap your plan. Find someone who wants to start a plan with your provider and transfer liability for your contract to them.  The incentive for them is that they'll get a *free* phone without being bound to a full 2-year contract term.

Watch the video for details!

How to get out of your cellphone contract for free
[Howcast via Lifehacker]