Phone Question

[Diolla]

I currently am on a pay as you go plan with t-mobile (.10 a minute) we have 2 phones one for DS (17) and one for me. Our phones are about 4 tears old and are starting to wear out. When I switched to the pay as you go our coverage got worse and now we are losing our signal inside the house.

I have no debts or contracts except my mortgage. I am uncomfortable with the idea of a long term contract but our minute usage has been steadily rising until from 150 minutes average a month we are now up to 300-350 a month. I think it is because I talk to BF and my sis more than I used to. My son's usage doesn't seem to be going up.

I have been considering signing up for a plan again, getting new free (or reduced price) phones but am hesitating. These are our only phones, we have no landline.

Any suggestions on what I should do?

[Kirbycruiser]

I would definatley choose a company who offers excellent service coverage in your area. Especially since you do not have a land line (Emergencies can happen to anyone). There are alot of companies out there now. Just do some research and choose the right one for you. At $.10 a minute you are already paying $30+ a month I know there are plans out there that offer $29.99 plus unlimited nights and weekends.
If you had unlimited nights and weekend you would fall well below your 300 minute limit. You probably will have to sign a contract (unless you choose pre-paid) But it may be worth it for peace of mind and knowing for sure what your bill will be every month.

[Coleroo]

Wow... I would definately say you need to get a good solid plan. My husband and I are on my parents "family" plan with alltel. My dad pays 59.95 per month for the first phone, then each additional line is 9.99 each per month (we have 3 additonals). We share, i think, 1500 anytime minutes and unlimited nights & weekends. We also have mobile to mobile (no minutes used for calls to other alltel phones) AND the "circle of friends" (no minutes used for calls to 10 numbers of our choice, even if they're landline). Nationwide Long distance is included as well and coverage has always been super (except in the back part of walmart and biglots! haha). Even with text messaging and a few additional services the entire bill never goes over $130 a month.

I would croak if a phone bill was over $300 a month!

We dont have tmobile service in mid SC so I dont know how good they are. Have you checked into other carriers and compared plans?

[PrincessPerky]

I think that was 300 minutes, not 300 dollars?

I know the contract is a major PIA...I hate ours, but getting one and suffering for 2 years then keeping it for a couple after is the route we chose to go...figure out your average monthly cost then go for a plan that is about that price...and enjoy calling to your hearts content, we have unlimited to the 'circle' as well as 400 free anytime, and free nights weekends...and we can use it in any state in the us, important when we travel so much.

However if you only pay 10 cents a minute...350*.1 = 35...I don't know that you can get two phones for 35 a month. (our two are 70)

[Coleroo]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

I think that was 300 minutes, not 300 dollars?

I know the contract is a major PIA...I hate ours, but getting one and suffering for 2 years then keeping it for a couple after is the route we chose to go...figure out your average monthly cost then go for a plan that is about that price...and enjoy calling to your hearts content, we have unlimited to the 'circle' as well as 400 free anytime, and free nights weekends...and we can use it in any state in the us, important when we travel so much.

However if you only pay 10 cents a minute...350*.1 = 35...I don't know that you can get two phones for 35 a month. (our two are 70)

OH wow! My bad! Thats what I get for not reading close enough.

[Diolla]

Yes it was minutes, WOW $300 would probably have me ditching them in a heartbeat.

I would probably stay on my per minute plan if it wasn't for the phones, I have tried buying one off e-bay and it turned out it couldn't be activated here. New phones are expensive if you don't sign up for a plan. The cheapest Family Plan I can find is about $60 a month so if I do the math

60(plan)-35(current)=25 (more per month)
25*24 (months)=$600 more if I have a contract and get free phones.

So I am basically paying $600 for 2 phones.
However I could talk a lot more than now, and not worry about the minutes.

Decisions decisions...

[PrincessPerky]

Do you have the money? would you enjoy the freedom? would it cut into another goal?

not gonna be a one size fits all plan, decide what you can afford and then what you want to afford.