Cell phones and plans

[nalto]

I just paid my phone bill and I noticed it went up about 30 cents. This pushes my total to just over $50, and that's for a fairly basic plan!

So, as I begin my search for a new plan/possible carrier, I'm curious what you have? Iphone with fancy plan? Unlimited texts, or no texting at all? No cell phone at all, just MagicJack?

[rumples]

Love your avatar!!!!

Anyhow.... we have three lines. Two are iPhone lines, one paid for by DH's company. We have unlimited texting between all three lines (teenager on one so we consider it a duh expense). We also have a 700 minute plan.... partially because DH's work calls are from the same minutes.

What you decide to do should be based upon your exact requirements, not those from a board. If you are not currently taking advantage of every minute your current situation provides, you might want to start looking at others. However, if you are currently taking advantage of every minute, you might want to stay where you are.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I have an older Nokia phone (no camera, no internet) and we have a bare-bones basic plan with T-Mobile. (No texting) It's about $40 per month .... but then they add on taxes and fees and surcharges, etc. I have no idea how many minutes that is, but I never go over since we don't use the phone very much.

[TrixAre4Kids]

Hi Nalto, What type of phone do you have? Cell phone, landline or cable/phone bundle. What went up?

I have a cellphone prepaid from Straight Talk, 1000 minutes & 1000 texts & 30 mg data for $30/month plus tax (less than $34 w/tax). They have an unlimited plan for $45.

My landline is from Frontier, basic service altho I think I'm gonna call 'em and cut it down to an even more basic measured service because it is rarely used. I just keep it for safety & POM in case of networking failure/disaster (think Katrina).

Mainly I use my cell for calls & texts, I went cheap when I bought it. It has no camera etc, and the data user interface is crappy.

I have heard that Frontier is raising prices on the FIOS offerings they took over from Verizon, by a significant monthly amount. I expect my basic landline will be increased as well

[nalto]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that my decision would be based entirely upon the plans of others...

Basically, the plan itself is 39.99, for 500 minutes and unlimited texts. The phone is just a basic samsung flip phone. I've come to realize that I don't need the 500 minutes, but, everyone I know texts me, and without unlimited I would be paying A LOT more. I'm aware that I could request to not have texts come through, but then my minutes would increase to way over 500.

I guess it boils down to how important are these phone calls/texts? Can most of this communication be done over email, or can it wait?

[telephus44]

I went with a prepaid plan - I pay $100 a year and rarely go through more than $20 in the year. Of course, I make less than one call a month and have used only 10 text messages in the last year (and that was when DH lost his phone and was using mine). I pay $1 per day only on days when it gets used, and it's $.10 per minute with some free minutes if I'm call other AT&T customers. I don't think that my plan is offered anymore.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have a very basic phone with an additional line on it. My phone bill runs about $60/mo for the 2 lines and 500 minutes. We don't have texting at all and neither of our phones have a camera or data plan associated with them.

FWIW, my cell phone is my only phone, I have no landline.

[nalto]

I must report that I found exactly what I'm looking for. 15 dollars a month for unlimited texts, and every talking minute is 10 cents.

I'm a happy camper today.

[mommy2twoal]

I have 3 phones on family plan (me, dh & my mom, she keeps my kids) that runs about $90 to $95 depending on text (we don't have texting plan, just pay as you go that has never gone over $5). T his is all on AT&T and works ok for us.

[olderburgher]

To do comparisons take a look at the latest issues of Consumer Reports magazine

[Gardening Grandma]

guess it boils down to how important are these phone calls/texts? Can most of this communication be done over email, or can it wait?

Your carrier can answer this question. We have Verizon and CAN send/receive text messages via email. Just address the email to [e-mail]. ( xxx's being the 10 digit phone #)

I've been paying $45/mo for my grandson's phone. After studying his usage, I realized that I was paying waaaay too much for the little that he uses it, so I changed the plan to a prepaid plan ($30 for 90 days or 120 minutes). I'll monitor his usage and if he starts using it more, I can always change back.

It's a combination of understanding your own usage and knowing what's available out there and shopping around.

[toservewithlove]

At this moment I pay $135/month with taxes for 2 phone lines with 750 texts and internet on one line and 250 texts on the other. We come no where near our 1,000 minutes, but that is due to the unlimited incoming, mobile to mobile, and night and weekend. My cell is my only phone and I use it heavily as a single person. US Cellular recently created new plans and we are looking at whether or not they will be beneficial to us.

[museumgal]

I use sprint -- a basic phone (not a smart phone), 200 minutes a month, and free nights (beginning at 7) and weekends. No free texting though -- to send or receive is 5 cents each. The plan's 39.99 but it ends up being about 43 a month with the fees. It's perfect for me, I do most of my calling at night or weekends when it's free. But I'm not entirely sure they offer this plan any more -- I've had it for 4 years.

[mrsgords]

I have i wireless, which is an Iowa-based company and an affiliate of T-Mobile. I have a slider phone with a camera, which I do use. I pay $46/month, which includes 500 anytime minutes, free weeknights after 5 p.m. and weekend minutes, unlimited texting, and all taxes and fees. No internet. I'm one of those weirdos that still uses their cell phone primarily for talking. I don't text much.

My husband has a flip phone with Sprint. He doesn't have texting or internet. His company pays for it.

We don't have a landline.

[Agatha]

I'm on a family plan with my DS and one of my nephews. It costs me about $45/month. I'm not exactly sure how many minutes I get but I don't call or text much and, since DS is the primary, he would let me know if I was going over. Heck, it was primarily for him I got the darn thing. To be honest, I don't like them at all. I guess I just don't like being available 24/7.

I have a landline whose number I give out (or gave out in the case of my former employer) to stores that ask and such but my cell is strictly for family and very close friends. What can I say? I'm an old fuddy-duddy. But weighing the cost of my only child's peace of mind against a monthly charge. . .priceless. And I don't get fussed at!

[motherto2]

my cell bill is ridiculous. We have four lines -me, parents, DD and DS. DD has a blackberry and DS just got an android x for Christmas. We had 1400 minutes and unlimited text and pics. my folks have an old flip phone that they will not ever get rid of unless it breaks. Mom is absolutely terrified of electronics, and has sort of learned some of the basics on this phone, but not much. She consistently calls my home phone from the cell which uses minutes, so I just wait until she hangs up and recalls on my cell . I have a Dare, but don't have any internet type charges for my phone. Our bill is $220/month. I just called last week and lowered it to 700 minutes. Only gripe is that we can no longer have friends and family. Since both kids are away, they tend to call me at work at lunch time. So I'm keeping an eye on the minutes used. That change lowered my bill $20/month. DD pays the $30 for her internet charge, but I still pay for the phone and the combined plan. I have Vonage for $16/month. Allows unlimited incoming minutes but only $100 outgoing minutes per month. The only reason I keep it is for emergencies. Peace of mind in case I have to call 911.

[Becks]

Understanding some of these providers plans are as bad as insurance policies.

[gsbrq]

Virgin Mobile is great: $25/month for unlimited text/data/email/web, and 300 phone minutes.

[dcmetrocrab]

I have an old grandfathered Sprint plan. I've been with them for nearly 11 years now. $30 plan ($33 after taxes), 480 any time minutes, unlimited nights/weekends, free calls to Sprint phones, 500 texts, unlimited data, but the plan only supports simple non-smartphone cells. I got my cell free when I renewed a 2 year contract. I get 25% off services via a corporate discount. If you want to save $$ and don't use your phone much, I think pre-paid is the way to go.