Prepaid/Alternative phone plans

[NetSkyBlue]

In an effort to really clean up my spending and hardcore save for a house, I'm looking at places I can slash my monthly bills. I'm looking for a cheaper apartment (I'd like to save $225 a month off what I'm paying now, if I can find someplace that's not TOO dumpy, and in a safe neighborhood. I'm willing to put up with worn, 70's carpet but not crime or critter infestation), and examining my utilities bills.

One thing I'm looking at is my cell phone bill. I'm paying $77.63/mo (over $900/year!) for my smartphone plan. I've never upgraded my phone since I first got the smartphone, in the early months of 2011. I really do enjoy, and sometimes even rely on, internet access - anywhere. It will be a tough thing to give up, but if I can really save by going another route, I'm seriously willing to consider it.

My current usage looks like this, for one month:

Outgoing calls "anytime minutes": 14 minutes used
Outgoing calls "unlimited mobile-to-mobile": 76 minutes used (this is unusual, last month it was 24 minutes)
Incoming calls: 25 minutes
Text messages sent: 84
I can't find my incoming # of texts, but I expect it's probably a similar number to outgoing.
Picture & video messages sent: 4
Data Used: 204.91 MB

What kind of options do I have for a cheaper sort of plan, or pre-paid service? Do I have to give up data altogether in exchange for a cheap plan? I don't care about apps, games, music, etc, but the ability to look up a website on my lunch hour, google directions or an address, etc, is very useful.

[iliketosavemoney]

pagepluscellular

It runs off the Verizon network so signals are excellent and they have plans for all types of uses.

Example would be the $12 plan with 250 min, 250 texts, and 10mb of data for those who use their phone very little.
I'd probably get the $29 plan with 1200 min, 3000 texts and 250mb of data. I'm on wifi all the time so I use about 200mb of data a month max.

Only down side is it does not support 4G LTE.
You can activate any 3G Verizon phone on this carrier. No hacking, flashing, rooting involved.
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prepaid t-mobile

At the bottom there's a $30 plan for 100 minutes, unlimited text and unlimited 4G (first 5GB)

This plan is good for anyone that doesn't use minutes but is on the web a lot of the phone.
Tmobile 4G is really just 3G HSPA+ but its still pretty damn fast.
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There are lots of other carriers that run off Sprint and Tmobile that are cheaper or similar if their service works for you. Here are some off the top of my head.

ting
straight talk
lycamobile

I can't post links so you'll have to google these..

[NetSkyBlue]

Thanks! That $12 plan actually looks very attractive. 10MB/month isn't very much, but the overage charge is only $.10/MB. If I continued to use as much data as I do now, I'd be paying $31/mo (less than half what I'm paying now), and I'm sure I could cut back if I saw the benefits of doing so. And I wouldn't have to live in fear of being lost, not finding a phone number, etc. Google...how I love thee.

It looks like you can transfer your number for free, too. I'm just not sure if my current phone will work with their service. I have US Cellular now.

Ooh..but it looks like I'd be on roam just an hour south of here at my parents' house. Not sure how I feel about that.

[NetSkyBlue]

I am also liking what I see with Ting. I did a search and see that Petunia 100 has/recommends it. I still couldn't use my own phone, but I could buy used the next version up from my phone for $230.94 (it might even be 2 versions newer?), and still come out nearly $100 in savings over the remainder of this year, and save over $685 (after fees & taxes) next year if I keep my usage in the smallest "buckets" for voice, text, and data.

If I every single month went up to the next-highest "bucket" on all 3 things (and I've NEVER used higher than what that bucket goes to), I would still be saving over $450/year.


Now I just have to resist the desire to buy the newest version of my phone, at a whopping $592. The used version down is still better than my current phone, and way, way cheaper. I do not need the newest phone. Even though a 16MP camera sounds freaking amazing. I don't need it. 8MP will be more than sufficient.

[dawnwes]

I have Straight Talk. I have the everything unlimited plan which is $45 but I can get refills on ebay for around $37.

You wouldn't need that. They have a $30 "all you need" plan and you might be able to get cheaper refills on ebay.

[Petunia 100]

I am also liking what I see with Ting. I did a search and see that Petunia 100 has/recommends it. I still couldn't use my own phone, but I could buy used the next version up from my phone for $230.94 (it might even be 2 versions newer?), and still come out nearly $100 in savings over the remainder of this year, and save over $685 (after fees & taxes) next year if I keep my usage in the smallest "buckets" for voice, text, and data.

If I every single month went up to the next-highest "bucket" on all 3 things (and I've NEVER used higher than what that bucket goes to), I would still be saving over $450/year.


Now I just have to resist the desire to buy the newest version of my phone, at a whopping $592. The used version down is still better than my current phone, and way, way cheaper. I do not need the newest phone. Even though a 16MP camera sounds freaking amazing. I don't need it. 8MP will be more than sufficient.

I just saw this thread and was about to pipe up and suggest you check out Ting!

One year after switching, still very happy with their service and my monthly bill.

[dawnwes]

I have been overall quite satisfied with ST too.

I would be on the $30 plan but I talk way too much!

That 30$ plan is what I'm using now. And I am very satisfied with it.

[JoeP]

Maybe we're the exceptions, but we have been successful in keeping cell phone voice usage very low, barely texting, and not having the need to use data in our day-to-day activities. I get the feeling that as new technology becomes available, some people invent ways to integrate it into their lives, and then those habits become requirements for future equipment.

Sure, some newer technologies make life much simpler, but you have to weigh the up front and ongoing costs.

Having said that, if you really want to reduce your cell phone bill, go with a dumb phone and a prepaid service that allows you to bank your minutes.

[NetSkyBlue]

I just saw this thread and was about to pipe up and suggest you check out Ting!

One year after switching, still very happy with their service and my monthly bill.

I decided on Ting, and ordered a phone last night. I anticipate switching my number over after the first weekend in June. My sisters are getting married over the next two weekends (both of them!) and I don't want to fuss with possible phone problems because of the switch until after the weddings.

Petunia - I see they have a referral program. If you'd like to "refer" me and get a $25 credit (or $50 credit, if it's your first referral) PM me the referral link it gives in your Dashbord. I *think* I can apply it when I activate the phone. I'm not the brightest about these things, I hope I can figure it out.

[dawnwes]

I think Ting is Sprint based which is why I didn't even consider it. I got NO Sprint service here.

[Petunia 100]

I decided on Ting, and ordered a phone last night. I anticipate switching my number over after the first weekend in June. My sisters are getting married over the next two weekends (both of them!) and I don't want to fuss with possible phone problems because of the switch until after the weddings.

Petunia - I see they have a referral program. If you'd like to "refer" me and get a $25 credit (or $50 credit, if it's your first referral) PM me the referral link it gives in your Dashbord. I *think* I can apply it when I activate the phone. I'm not the brightest about these things, I hope I can figure it out.

I will be tickled to PM you my referral code! And yes, it is my first one ever. Sweet! Thank you so much.

[Petunia 100]

I think Ting is Sprint based which is why I didn't even consider it. I got NO Sprint service here.

Yes, Ting uses Sprint's network.

[ShawnaC123]

Can anyone recommend a non-smartphone with a qwerty keyboard that will work on Ting? The Samsung Array is the only one sold through ting but it is $114 and that is way too much.

Or does anyone know of a cheaper plan than Ting's $14 a month for my usage? I use about 500 texts a month and maybe 25 minutes max.

Thanks.