8. Negotiate
Call around and look into different carriers. Ask them about employee or professional discounts. See if they will waive the activation or upgrade fee. Then take all that information to your current carrier and get them to match any better deals. You’ll probably have to call customer service as the stores are often have no power over contracts.
Also ask about unpublished plans. You might be able to get one with limited data/minutes that will work for you and save you money.