DROPPING your phone means dropping a lot of cash on a new one.
And a Virgin Media poll found 46 per cent of us will wait up to three months before fixing it because of the cost.
Last week I cracked my screen for the second time this year. Here are my thrifty solutions in case it happens to you.
DIY: If you feel brave, you can avoid the repair shop by fixing your phone yourself.
On eBay, search “repair kit” with the make and model of your phone. It will come up with loads of options. I found a kit for a Samsung Galaxy S7 for £11.99.
Find expert guidance for your mend on YouTube, where there are step-by-step tutorials on replacing and repairing cracked screens.
But be aware you might void any warranty in place. For older devices, this could be a good option.
CASH IT IN: If your phone is a goner or not worth paying to fix, you might be able to make some cash recycling it.
I use sellmymobile.com. It compares all offer prices on recycling websites so you can see your best options.
For example, for an unlocked but broken 64GB iPhone 6, you could get £23 at Sell My Cell, whereas Music Magpie offers just £14.40.
QUICK FIX: Got lucky, with only a small crack on the screen? You could do a temporary fix with a glass screen protector to stop it getting worse.
I like the JETech Tempered Glass Screen Protector for iPhone 6 and 6s. It costs £3.99 for a pack of two on Amazon — far less than paying £9.99 for a single Proporta iPhone protector at Argos.
WORTH THE HAGGLE: If your beloved device is beyond your expertise, you might have to take it to the chop shop. But when you do, remember to get a quote from different shops and to haggle over the cost — especially if one is much more expensive than the other.
I recently got quoted £120 in one local repair shop to fix my cracked screen.
But when I went to a different outlet, I managed to get it fixed for just £60. So it is well worth looking around.
Deal of the day
LIVE it up at Bella Italia, where you can get bottomless prosecco and pizza for just £15 Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 9pm.
Book first at bellaitalia.co.uk.
Cheap treat
LIDL has launched a Hobgoblin Gold 5-litre beer keg.
It costs £12.99 and is available to pick up in stores.
Don’t miss this
SHOPPERS at Lidl can this week bag two wagyu beef burgers for just £2.99 – less than £1.50 per burger.
But they are available only while stocks last, so best be quick.
Top swap
THE Dr Sebagh Vitamin C Brightening Primer is £55 at net-a-porter.com. But Wilko is selling Technic Vitamin C Brightening Primer for £3.50.
Love Islander Olivia Bowen is a fan. Me too.
SAVE: £51.50
Giselle’s Little Helper
TESCO Clubcard holders can save more than 50 per cent on loads of brands and own-label items with exclusive Tesco Clubcard prices.
Members of the chain’s loyalty scheme can take advantage by scanning their Clubcard app or tapping their Clubcard or fob at the checkout, or when shopping online.
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