Happy Holidays from TRAC, the Telecommunications Research and Action Center. The December Holiday Season is a time for family and friendship. Many consumers will be calling to say Merry Christmas or Happy New Year on December 25th and January 1st. Here are a few hints that could save you money when you do call:

1. Remember, Christmas and New Year day are weekdays, not weekends. Long distance calls made on those days will be at the highest daytime rates.
2. Christmas and New Year day also do not count for extra-wireless minutes. If you use your cell phone for local or long distance calling, the time will be charged against the day-time minute allocation you have.
3. Consider using a dial-around plan on these days. Here are two of the best plans offered according to TRAC's most recent Dial Around Comparison Survey: (A copy of the full chart is available from http://www.trac.org for $1.00.
   1. 10-10-345 (ATT) 30 Cents surcharge for the 1st minute and 9.9 cents a minute. http://www.1010345.com
   2. 101-6868 (PT-1) 7.9 cents per minute twenty-four hours a day, plus an 9.99% universal service fee. http://www.PT-1.com
4. Consider using a pre-paid calling card. ATT's cards bought at large discounts stores carry rates as low as 3.9 cents per-minute.

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