Cell Phone Savings

**lukesmama** · 06-19-2008, 04:21 PM

I thought this might help someone else who was just blindly paying for a cell phone plan, but not using many minutes - as we were...

My husband and I were paying about $56 a month for a family plan (two phones) that included a minimum of minutes, since we used them so little. (I think he determined that we averaged about an hour or so of usage a month.)

Anyway, he had a flash of inspiration, and we got smart...

We ditched the plan, bought two new phones at $50 each, and went to prepaid service instead. We purchased $100 of minutes for each phone (I think we determined it's about a year's worth for each of us). So for $300, we're covered for a year, saving us roughly $300 this year. (Our previous plan was over $600 a year.)

Next year it will save us roughly $400, since we've already got the phones now.

YMMV. I hope this helps someone else, though! If nothing else, maybe it will prompt someone to analyze something that YOU are just blindly paying, without considering alternatives.

**lisettelovebug** · 06-19-2008, 06:34 PM

Our contract for our phones run out in October. We're currently paying $76 a month for 400 shared minutes between the 2 phones. We're lucky to use 200. Most are to each other. We do use them in place of home phone though. But we will be moving soon and the one house we like doesn't get cell service anyway. So we would need a home phone or digital phone or something. I think we will try the magicjack though and just get roadrunner for internet. We are going to look into getting a trac phone for dh because he works 3 days a week so he would want to call home at least once a night he works, and we would also want it for emergencies in the car.

We would probably spend $20-30 on one phone. I think it would save us about $40 a month or so at least.

**freebs** · 06-19-2008, 06:45 PM

I wouldnt just look into tracfone, net10 minutes are .10¢ per minute. Even with the llifetime double minutes they figure out cheaper than tracfone. We have 1500 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited mobile to mobile, voicemail, top 10 called numbers are free! We have 3 phones and a wireless internet card and i pay $180 per month. I have no land line at all.

**ravenmaniac** · 06-19-2008, 06:54 PM

Good for you. I tried to get my husband to this but to no avail. Maybe when the kids are out on their own I'll go get a prepaid phone.

**StaceyS** · 06-19-2008, 07:48 PM

I use net 10 and I've only once had to renew my minuted before the time limit. They let you roll over your un-used minutes each month. $15/month - that's all I pay. I love it. DBF pays over $80/mo for two phones on a family plan.

**lukesmama** · 06-19-2008, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by StaceyS

I use net 10 and I've only once had to renew my minuted before the time limit. They let you roll over your un-used minutes each month. $15/month - that's all I pay. I love it. DBF pays over $80/mo for two phones on a family plan.

Neat - I've never heard of net 10. Sounds like a great deal! Our previous contract and now pre-paid is all with T-Mobile.

**cheriede** · 06-19-2008, 10:05 PM

We made the switch over to prepaid cell phones a couple of years ago and it was the best decision that we ever made. We were paying over 70.00 for two phones and 400 minutes. Never came close to using the minutes. At the same time, we switched over to VoIP so that we could make call without being charged long distance. Between the switch over to VoIP and prepaid, we ended up saving 100.00 a month.

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-20-2008, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by lisettelovebug

I think we will try the magicjack though and just get roadrunner for internet.

One of my best friends got magicjack a little over a month ago.

He kept his regular phone service for a month for just in case while he tried magicjack out and now has decided that he is ditching his regular phone service.

According to him, magicjack has wonderful service and for the price you sure can't beat it!

Love,

Jen

**Bournecrazy** · 06-20-2008, 03:32 PM

i dont use contract any more, i get 300 free texts and 60 free minutes a month, if i top up with £10 ($20ish) it will take me a month to use the free minutes / texts then a few weeks to use the £10 credit actually available on my phone which helps me as i dont like calling people im more of a texter.

in the last 2 weeks ive only used £0.09 of credit, about 17 cents! quite good i think

**i.m.cheap** · 06-20-2008, 11:07 PM

DH and I both have Tracfones, and spend about $10 per phone per month. We don't use our phone a great deal, and we do have a home phone also.

**Bethany** · 06-20-2008, 11:44 PM

I switched to a tracfone last Oct and it's by far one of the smartest/frugalist things I've done. I barely use the phone, but I did purchase the phone that comes with double minutes for life. They're always running specials on buying minutes in bulk. I just love it. One less monthly bill is fine by me!! I also bundled my land line, cable and computer in one so I eliminated another two bills. I'm really trying to rid myself of writing so many darn checks!!

**debmar** · 06-21-2008, 12:43 AM

Freebs,
The deal you have with Net10 sounds like what I am looking for. However, I was unable to find it at the Net10 website. Is this offered through a particular store?
Just got laid off and am cutting back on everything!!

**Michelle** · 07-08-2008, 11:27 AM

My cell phone contract has expired, and I'm looking into prepaid vs. contract.

Dave's cell phone is paid for by his work

, and I only use 10-15 min/month on mine--seriously, I rarely use it.

So please keep talking about prepaid

**DonnainME** · 07-08-2008, 03:58 PM

great idea. I do have a cell for my business but have cut it down to the lowest plan. $29.99 per month with 300 minutes included. I do have a prepaid also so if I am going over the 300 I can use it.

**C@rol** · 07-08-2008, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by lukesmama

I thought this might help someone else who was just blindly paying for a cell phone plan, but not using many minutes - as we were...

My husband and I were paying about $56 a month for a family plan (two phones) that included a minimum of minutes, since we used them so little. (I think he determined that we averaged about an hour or so of usage a month.)

Anyway, he had a flash of inspiration, and we got smart...

We ditched the plan, bought two new phones at $50 each, and went to prepaid service instead. We purchased $100 of minutes for each phone (I think we determined it's about a year's worth for each of us). So for $300, we're covered for a year, saving us roughly $300 this year. (Our previous plan was over $600 a year.)

Next year it will save us roughly $400, since we've already got the phones now.

YMMV. I hope this helps someone else, though! If nothing else, maybe it will prompt someone to analyze something that YOU are just blindly paying, without considering alternatives.

This is exactly what I have been doing for the last 5 years. Bravo for you and hubby.