Cell phone batteries are expensive, and many times are worth more than the phone is worth - especially when you consider that you probably purchased your cell phone on a 1, 2 or 3-year term and unless you are only in the 2nd year of that term it's better to buy a new phone.

What is driving our cell phone batteries to die so quickly? It is all the add-ons on the phones that we use such as WiFi, BlueTooth and not to mention GPS.

What can you do to extend the life of your cell phone battery? Here 8 tips to extend the life of your cell phone battery.

Tip #1 - Turn The Phone Off

This is the most effective, and simplest way of extending the life of the battery - for example if you know at work you won't get any calls, turn off the phone. When you get home in the evening, turn it off.

Tip #2 - No Signal

Most cell phones are set-up to search for a signal, in an area with poor or no signal your phone will constantly search for a signal - and in doing so, it will drain your battery faster than using your cell phone. While there is little you can do about signal issues, if you know you will be in an area with poor signal, turn the phone off.

Tip #3 - Switch off the vibrate function

The vibrate function uses a lot of battery power, as do LOUD ring tones.

Tip #4 - Turn off the phones back light

The backlight sucks up power like you wouldn't believe. Set your phone to turn off the backlight in 10, 20 or 30 seconds. In fact many phones will allow you to turn this off.

Tip #5 - Turn off features you won't use

Don't use WiFi? Turn it off. Don't use the GPS functions on your cell phone - turn it off. Each feature uses battery power.

Tip #6 - Keep calls short

Yes it can be hard, especially if you're on a unlimited voice plan, but keeping calls short will help conserve battery power and allow more calls to come through.

Tip #7 - Turn off Bluetooth

If you don't use Bluetooth headsets, for example in the shopping mall - turn off Bluetooth to conserve battery power.

Step #8 - Use GSM

Using an analog signal uses more power than GSM. If your service provider offers GSM, use that exclusively.