Cell Phones

[Belia]

There are probably other places online I could find this info, but I'm lazy and thought I'd ask my trusted MDC mamas first....

What's the cheapest way to "do" a cell phone?

I currently have a pretty bare bones plan through Verizon, but its still $45 a month. I signed up several years ago- maybe 4-5, so I'm sure I'm not tied into a contract. (Right?)

I really don't use it except for emergencies, and I couldn't care less about texting or any of the extras. But I would REALLY REALLY REALLY like to keep my cell phone number.

Any advice?

[shelbean91]

Have you called verizon? They might have a cheaper plan. However, numbers are now portable- so anywhere you go, you can basically keep your number.

[lmonter]

I have a cheap pay-as-you-go phone. AT&T I believe, the phone was something like $20, and hubby got a $30 loading card that gave us an extra $10 for activation. Now, it's just $25 every 3 months or so. But I seriously rarely use it - like 3 times a month, maybe. It breaks down to $1/day that you actually use the phone (making a call, answering a call, whatever), and $.10/minute. I don't pick up if I don't know the number, I don't do text messages, etc. Half the time someone will call on it while I'm home, and I'll just return their call on the house phone.

No idea about keeping your number though. I'm absolutely no help.

[JoyfamMama]

VW also has prepaid phones that are great when you don't use it much. I don't know for absolutely sure, but I am pretty sure that you can keep your number - also, those who you may be used to talking to for free would stay the same (other VW customers).

[tryingforbaby]

Check out US Cellulars prepaid plans. When I worked there we had a pay as you go plan that avg out to less then $8 a month. The other thing I would try is to get transfered/aded onto a family members plan. That normaly will cost less then $20 a month.

[1growingsprout]

It depends, are you still keeping a land line? if so you may be able to get a deal from the land line provider, we dumped land lines years ago and are cell only. I have virgin wireless and its $50 month for unlimited calling. I think they have a texing plan starting at $10 month. Yes that was unlimited calls for $50 month. The actual phone was $15 on clearance at target marked down from $60. Its what I need. DH gets a phone from work. When our kids need phone we will have to shop around for some type of family deal but right now this is smoking, i use about 2500 minutes a month (i do at home daycare and parents call alot, plus i homeschool and we do alot of activites etc) so im constantly on the phone)
My cell also has long distance included and is way cheaper than my land line ever was

[sweetjasmine]

I've been considering this option myself but I have several things to think about. If I dump my landline with AT&T we'll still need wireless for the laptop. I think the price is around $35 without a phone. I was also wanting to go with either pay as you go or prepaid instead of my regular plan with AT&T. But if I go with a prepaid phone, I don't want to get rid of my landline. I don't want to limit my options too much.

Still thinking about what I need to do.