Four tips to stay connected abroad and avoid shock phone costs from roaming charges to providers

DON’T let your mobile bill ruin your summer break. From sneaky roaming fees to pricey bolt-ons, it’s easy to lose track of your spending. You don’t need to break the bank to get a high-volume, supermodel-inspired hair-do Credit: Getty To avoid any nasty surprises, dial in to these top tips . . . SWITCH ’N’ SAVE: Firstly, can you switch mobile providers and save? Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Text the word “INFO” to 85075 — it’s a free Ofcom service that tells you if you’re still in contract and whether any exit fees apply. If you’re within 30 days of your contract end date, you can give notice that you are going to switch. Then at the end of your contract, you can move to a ­better deal. To find one, use comparison sites such as uswitch.com, moneysupermarket. com and comparethemarket.com. At lebara.co.uk, you can currently get a SIM-only plan for half price for the first three months, making it £2.50 a month initally, for 5GB data and 1,000 UK calls and texts. ROAMING RULES: Roaming charges can max out your holiday budget, but O2 is the major UK network that still includes free EU roaming as standard across all its plans. It covers up to 25GB data at no extra cost. Most read in Money Switch off “automatic network selection” in places near to countries outside the EU to make sure you can stay in control of spending. ESIM-PLE SWAP: If you don’t want to switch and your provider’s travel charges are looking hefty, you could also buy a travel eSIM at Airalo.com. Just find the country you’re travelling to and add in how long you need the eSIM, then download and install to your phone instantly, with no postage and no physical card. Plans start from just a few quid for short trips. Just switch to the new one when you land to connect instantly. EXTRA HELP: Log on to free wi-fi where possible, use apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to call friends and family for free. As long as the person you are calling has the same app, you just need a wi-fi spot to chat for nothing. Turn off voicemail before you travel as you can get charged for someone leaving a message. Google Maps lets you download offline maps so you can navigate without using data — just search for an area and tap download. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability. Deal of the day Save £60 on the PINNTORP table with matching chairs at Ikea Credit: Supplied GATHER the family around the PINNTORP table with matching chairs. It was £259, now £199 at Ikea. SAVE: £60 Cheap treat Save 76p on a pack of Peperami The Originals at Asda Credit: Supplied STOCK up on snacks at Asda. A pack of Peperami The Originals was £2.76, now £2. SAVE: 76p What’s new? Skip pricey extra luggage charges using the Status Digital Luggage Scale before you go Credit: Supplied SKIP pricey extra luggage charges using the Status Digital Luggage Scale before you go. It was £7, now £5.25 with a Tesco Clubcard. Top swap For a natural flush, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, £24, Space NK Credit: Supplied Or MCoBeauty Cheeky Dew Liquid Blush, £8, Superdrug Credit: Supplied FOR a natural flush, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, £24, Space NK, or MCoBeauty Cheeky Dew Liquid Blush, £8, Superdrug. SAVE: £16 Little helper Build a Lego training tree and Pokéball to take home Credit: Supplied CATCH ’em all at The Entertainer, in the Pokémon Make & Take event in all stores this Saturday, August 1. Build a Lego training tree and Pokéball to take home. Find out more at thetoyshop.com/store-events. Shop & save Save £10 on the All Surface Classic Swingball at Argos Credit: Supplied GET a family swingball tournament going in the garden this summer. The All Surface Classic Swingball was £30, now £20 at Argos. SAVE: £10 Hot right now SAVE on airport transfers with Hoppa. Use code RIDE5 at hoppa.com for an extra five per cent off transfers worldwide. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning! Comment now