Recycle your old phone

If you're lucky enough to get a new cell phone, what should you do with the old one?

Here are a few ideas!

• First of all, before you do anything with your old phone, be sure to remove all of your personal data from the phone.  Be sure to download any photos and videos that you have.  Check to be sure there aren't any personal downloaded files on the phone.  If your phone has a browser, you'll want to make sure that your passwords aren't stored on the phone. Remove any SIM or extra memory cards from your phone, which also might contain data.
• Also, be sure to charge the phone before passing it on.
• You can check with your cell phone manufacturer to see if they have places for you to drop off your phone for recycling.
• You can donate the phone to charitable organizations which will recycle the phone for you.  You should be able to take a tax deduction for the phone donation to the organization.  You won't be able to take off the full cost of the phone; instead, your deduction will be for the current value of the phone.  To find that, search for recent sales of your phone model - used, not new -  on eBay or Amazon.com.
• You can find places which will give you cash for your phone.  Do your research to find out how to sell a phone and which companies will give you the most money for your phone.  Be sure to ask whether free shipping of your phone to the service is available, and ask if items are insured.  You might want to get personal recommendations from friends and family to find a service that you can trust.

Hope these help you get rid of your old phone safely!

(This post was brought to you by Sell My Mobile.  This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)