American’s wallets are hurting more than ever from the combination of a domestic recession and a global economic slowdown. As a result, many consumers are noticing just how much they are spending on services like cable and television. It may come as a surprise to know that many services like these are actually priced lower than they were last year. So, why are the bills so high? Answer: Extras and add-ons.

The average cell phone costs about $48.50 per month, which is about a dollar a month less than in 2003 with 60% more minutes to kick. However, the average cell phone bill is closer to $76 per month as consumers add on minutes, text messaging, ring tones and games. These extras can end up costing an extra $20 to $30 a month or much more with new smartphones containing applications.

Cable television and internet is a similar story. Costs have actually risen some 20% to around $44 a month, but the average bill is closer to $100, up over 60% since 2003. Consumers are quickly adding new services like digital video recording, extra channels, and other services that have jumped the price substantially from their base levels.

Consumers looking to save money during these tough times may want to consider taking a second look at these services and evaluating whether these extras are really worth the money. Do you need games on your cell phone or the latest ringtones? Do you need HBO at home when you only watch a couple movies a year? Think about it… and save!