Cell Phones: Monthly Subscription or Pre-Paid

**Vannie** · 02-28-2006, 01:28 PM

I have had a pre-paid cell phone for about a year now and I love it. I have saved hundreds of $$'s. Since I don't use my cell except to say "I'm on my way" etc. I have found that I am better of financially, with my pre-paid as opposed to my old monthly service cell phone. With pre-paid I buy a certain amount of minutes.

What do you all use and why?

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-28-2006, 01:38 PM

I have pre-paid and it's only $10 a month (that's with buying a $10 phone card each month before the minutes expire).

We used to have a monthly plan and we wound up paying $80 for the 2 phones, that we hardly ever used.

We get free text messaging so that's what we mainly use it for but you still have to put something in your account once a month or the sim card goes bad.

One thing I like is we're not charged for long distance just our regular 15 cents a call no matter where you call so $10 can let you talk for a really long time.

**banana** · 03-02-2006, 09:16 PM

Tracy - What prepaid plan do you have? I currently have Verizon and am unhappy.

**McD** · 03-02-2006, 09:17 PM

I have US Cellular and I like it. It's about 40$ a month.

**inneedofhope** · 03-02-2006, 09:26 PM

I use Sprint PCS $42 per month. This is the only phone I use. I'm pretty happy with it.

**Missy** · 03-02-2006, 09:42 PM

I have a trac fone from Walmart. Cheapie little phone but it does everything I need and then some. I buy a 20.00 card once every three months and it is honestly all I need. I always have time left over, which does roll over as long ans I buy more time before expiration.

**littlemotherhaywood** · 03-04-2006, 08:27 AM

We have a monthly subscription through sprint and our bill is $80 a month for two phones. I only have one because dh doesn't want me to without one as I do run around a lot. I was thinking of just dropping my phone though. I didn't consider a prepaid phone. I barely use any minutes and then only to call my dh anyway. I'll have to look into that.

**LadybugDreams** · 03-04-2006, 08:44 AM

Yeah, Tracy...please let me know what sevice you use or PM me ...I would love something like that for hubby and I since we both drive out of state to our jobs. Thnaks!

**Vannie** · 03-04-2006, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by Missy
I have a trac fone from Walmart. Cheapie little phone but it does everything I need and then some. I buy a 20.00 card once every three months and it is honestly all I need. I always have time left over, which does roll over as long ans I buy more time before expiration.

Missy, I have a trac fone too.

**cozyquilter** · 03-04-2006, 09:31 AM

I switched a couple of years ago from monthly to Virgin Mobil pay as you go and have been very pleased.

Virgin Mobile is available in UK, Canada, USA and Austraila..

Last year they had a promotion, "top up" for a year by adding $60.00..so I paid $60.00 for the full year, and it did last the year.

Target also sells the "top up" cards and frequently has them on sale.

I just purchased $20.00 and got a $10.00 bonus. Also, if I stay current by topping up with $20.00/90 days, they will give me 5 or 6 $5.00 bonus through the year.

Here is there website for USA: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/

Virgin Mobil has pay as you go and monthy plans too...they have a test on there site to tell you which plan fits your lifestyle best.

I purchased DD a virgin pay as you go too, don't really have to worry if it gets lost or stolen.

There a pretty good phone on special right now with free shipping too: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/catal...o?skuId=VMSE47

You can tell I love my virgin mobile!

**seadream** · 03-04-2006, 09:56 AM

I have a Tracfone too and it works great for me. I rarely use my phone..only when I'm out and even then only 3 people know my cell phone number.

**pkellyc** · 03-04-2006, 12:58 PM

We are happy with our prepaid. We bought it the first time we went on vacation without our girls so they could get a hold of us where ever we were. It's worked out fine for us.

I did have verizon at one time but this costs a lot less.

**chatterweb** · 03-05-2006, 05:24 PM

We just got cell phones, so I am not sure what the actual bill will be with all the taxes etc...

**baxjul** · 03-05-2006, 05:28 PM

We have a monthly subscription with Cingular, with two phones it is about $80 a month. That includes all long distance, email, text messaging, and voice mail. We don't have a phone in the house, and just use our cell phones all the time! Our house phone was way too expensive, and we didn't have any choice in our plan (only one company). Even to call 9 miles away was considered long distance. So we got rid of it.