Cell Phone Contracts

**riaketty** · 07-22-2010, 09:04 AM

I hate going back on a contract but we can't afford our phones, and we use less than 2% of the minutes we're given! We're on the lowest family plan available (2 phones), and we pay $120/mo. Not a whole lot compared to some plans but we just can't afford it anymore.

What can I do? I called and they can't lower it because it's already the lowest plan. We've already cut our landline and downgraded our 'net, so we need phones for long distance, but we really don't need the minutes! This is insane that they don't have a lower plan.

Is there a way I can get out of the contract, preferably without the insane fees? We're with Verizon and would like to go prepaid.

**Russ** · 07-22-2010, 09:09 AM

That seems high. I have Verizon with 3 phones and only pay $100/month.
It's only that high because we text on occasion and that runs 0.20 per text.

If I may ask, what plan is that?

try Walmart for prepaid phones.

**riaketty** · 07-22-2010, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

That seems high. I have Verizon with 3 phones and only pay $100/month.
It's only that high because we text on occasion and that runs 0.20 per text.

If I may ask, what plan is that?

try Walmart for prepaid phones.

We have the 700 minutes and we both added the $10 text package. Texting is why we don't need that many minutes.

**Russ** · 07-22-2010, 09:18 AM

re-evaluate your text package.
Can you cut back and call instead?

Looking at the website:
Talk and unlimited text is $99
Talk with text costing 0.20 is $69.

or Verizon does have a prepaid plan.

As for your contract, how much longer is it?

**NewLeaf** · 07-22-2010, 09:22 AM

I'm with Alltel. I tried to get out of my contract but it would have COST me $200 per line. We cut out our home phone, downgraded internet and took the lowest cell phone pack we could. It was around $100/month. I wish I had more help, but we were stuck in our contract....

Can you cut any other expenditures for awhile to make up the cell phone cost until your contract runs out? Couponing helps me. I can save up to $150/month using coupons. But it takes alot of time.....

Maybe try other things like homemade laundry soap and cleaners. Shop at thrift stores and yardsales. Cook simpler and from scratch. Just a few money saving tips.

**craftypam** · 07-22-2010, 09:31 AM

Throughout the years of having a cell phone, I've always looked for the best prices. Verizon has always been high imo. I have sprint and I pay $50 for both phones taxes included. No texting. I don't know if anyone is interested, but if you belong to a credit union sprint gives you a discount. I get $7.50 off each month. We got our family plan when they were giving you the 2nd phone for free. We also do not have unlimited minutes; but do have sprint to sprint. Maybe start a thread in here for different phone plans or prepaid details.

Russ;

What is it you like about Verizon? I have heard they are good; but noticed; for me expensive.

**riaketty** · 07-22-2010, 09:31 AM

It's a year contract... sigh. I guess i'll just have to live with it. What sucks the most is that I'm really not happy with their actual service, either... dropped calls, horrible signal, that sort of thing.

**Russ** · 07-22-2010, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by craftypam

Russ;

What is it you like about Verizon? I have heard they are good; but noticed; for me expensive.

A few things...

I get a discount through work.

I rarely lose calls. In my neck of the woods there is not much coverage with other providers. Well, it used to be that way, not sure anymore.

All of our family uses Verizon and that equals free Mobile to Mobile calls.

**Mom2-3** · 07-22-2010, 11:09 AM

Yikes! There must be a lower plan?! I pay that much for 5 phones with text!

You mentioned that the services was not reasonable for you? You may look into trying to break the contract because you are not happy with their service. You would have to read, but I believe they can help you if you are dissatisfied.

**piney** · 07-22-2010, 01:11 PM

I have verizon wireless and my bill run $46.54 a month have 700 anytime minutes free night after 9pm and week ends.So far haven't went over the 700 minutes last month used 644 of the 700 but i thought i had done less talking then i every do in a month but guess i done more.

**craftypam** · 07-22-2010, 01:46 PM

I think your plan is good priced for 3 phones @ $100. Never found a price like that through Verizon. My contract expired and I was looking at other companies; no one can beat the price I have and boy have the family plans gotten expensive.

Riaketty

Not sure if this would work for you and I don't know if you can add texting. It might be worth it if you can to cancel your contract. Sprint has 200 minutes for $29.99. Again not sure if you could add texting. That would be individual.

**Russ** · 07-22-2010, 01:50 PM

mind you we pay for every text. So the more texting, the more $$$

**riaketty** · 07-22-2010, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by craftypam

I think your plan is good priced for 3 phones @ $100. Never found a price like that through Verizon. My contract expired and I was looking at other companies; no one can beat the price I have and boy have the family plans gotten expensive.

Riaketty

Not sure if this would work for you and I don't know if you can add texting. It might be worth it if you can to cancel your contract. Sprint has 200 minutes for $29.99. Again not sure if you could add texting. That would be individual.

2 phones, not 3.

**jodihernandez** · 07-22-2010, 04:39 PM

I use virgin mobil. 25 a month gives you unlimted text web and data with 300 minutes. 50 for 2 people and i got my phone at Rite Aid for $10 I would try that. I get good coverage.

jodi