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If you're set to go abroad this year, make sure you're completely aware of the charges and costs associated with taking your iPhone away with you. The idea of uploading the latest snaps, checking your e-mail and Facebook, and keeping in constant contact with friends and family may seem like a fun, but in reality, you'll incur some pretty heft charges as a result.

Therefore, before you travel, read through the following tips and advice to ensure you don't get the shock of your life when you return home and see that phone bill. This way you'll know the most effective ways of saving money, and avoid those unwelcome charges in the meantime.

Avoid Data Roaming

This is a huge problem when taking any mobile phone abroad. For iPhone users, and in fact other Smartphone users, you can avoid data roaming charges by simply using free Wi-Fi. Make sure you switch off data roaming first, by accessing Settings, General and then Network. If you want to get online and check e-mails or Facebook, make sure you do so when signed into a free Wi-Fi spot. Your hotel should provide this, but also check for other areas for free Wi-Fi spots. You can do this using a variety of different apps available.

Check Your Tariff Options

Before you travel, always check what your tariff entitles you to, in terms of using it abroad. Some tariffs will be very basic and not offer any sort of rates abroad. In this sense, when you land, your network will roam onto a network within that country, where you will be charged extortionate amounts to send and receive calls and texts etc. Therefore, if you know you'll be regularly using your phone, ensure you're on a tariff that enables mobile usage at a fair rate. For example, all major network providers have options for mobile usage abroad, and all vary in price and what they offer. So be sure to check with your provider before you jet off.

Change Your SIM Card

Another way of making a huge saving is to either change your SIM before you leave, or to use a local one when you arrive at your destination. Changing your SIM to a global one is perfect if you want to use your phone as you would in the UK; for texts, calls and data usage. Alternatively, you could get a domestic one relevant to the visiting country. This will ensure that you only pay local rates. You just need to top the phone up with credit, which can be done online or at specific retailers. For some SIMs, you'll be able to keep your number, but if you're getting a local one, then your number will be different. Just be aware of this.

Be Prepared

The more you prepare for your holiday, the less chance you'll incur extra costs. This is referring to backing up information stored online that will be vital for when you're out there. For example, if you need a local map to find the location of your hotel, instead of trying to access this via the Internet enabled map feature, simply take a screenshot of the map and store on your hard drive. iPhones have an excellent feature that enables you to capture what's on your screen. Simply hold down the Home button, and hit Power/Sleep, to capture what's on your screen.

Get Insured

Whilst iPhones are incredibly popular and useful, they're also particularly expensive. This means that they are quite a sought after product, and whether you're in the UK or abroad, there will always be someone with a keen eye for it. Not only that, but when on holiday, there is a higher risk of your phone getting broken or lost. Imagine if you didn't have some sort of insurance to cover the cost of a new iPhone if you needed to replace it. Therefore, it pays to get insured before you leave, safe in the knowledge that if something happens to it, you'll be protected financially.