Re: Cell Phone Plan

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@Zita wrote:
I've had a Tracfone for several years, switching up occasionally. I buy from the Tracfone website (very inexpensive) and then top off minutes as I need them.

I use my cell only for brief calls and texting to family (the grands especially). No monthly charges. I sometimes call my brother in Texas, but usually use my landline. Don't need the internet feature, although I have it (takes a lot of minutes), but I've used the photo feature. I am computer savvy, but don't need to be on a phone all the time. I use my PC or laptop for email, surfing the net, shopping, etc.

I'd vote for Tracfone!

Hi Zita,

Just some info about Tracfone. If you have wifi in your home you can use the Internet and it does not use any of your minutes or data. Wherever you might be, if you connect to a wifi network, you will not use any of your minutes. Lots of public places have wifi to which you can connect. Make sure your phone says: "wifi--CONNECTED", and you are good to go.

Texting? Uses from "texting bucket", wifi DOES NOT use cell phone towers, thus when using "a connected network", your phone should not deduct minutes or data from your Tracfone account.

hckynut(john)

goldensrbest · ‎03-10-2010

@hckynutjohn wrote:
@nana59 wrote:
Need suggestions for inexpensive cell phone plan. We currently pay $100 monthly, which we thought was reasonable, but have found that we don't even use the phone on a monthly basis. I never use it, and my husband uses it when he attends an occasional out-of-state train show. My husband is computer saavy, but has never been a cell phone user-and I don't even know how to use it. We would like a cell phone for an emergency, but that's about it. Suggestions, please! Thanks....

What works best for me us "Prepaid Plan" with Tracfone. My current smart phone, bought new from hsn for $80, is a 12 month plan. Total for me monthly is about $6.60. Used Tracfone for going on 10 years now, and it is the perfect cell phone plan for me,

hckynut(john)

Can you tell me where you got yours? And how long have you had the same phone,without having to replace it? My little flip phone is not working correctly, my son picked me up one yesterday, but i really do not like it,maybe a tracfone would be better.

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.

GingerPeach · ‎03-12-2010

@nana59

I only use a cellphone for emergency calls, such as calling AAA if my battery dies somewhere away from home.

I highly recommend Consumer Cellular. I pay about $10 a month for the basic service. https://www.consumercellular.com/

There are various phones you can choose on the website.

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I don't work anymore or have any need for a smartphone so I still have a regular old dumb phone. I pay $30 a month with Sprint and, even at their lowest plan of 200 minutes a month, I still have plenty left every month.

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

I have a prepaid plan with Tmobile which I think is the same as Walmart's Straight talk plan. $30 a month for 60 talk minutes, unlimited texts, and 5G data which I never come close to using since most areas do have wi fi. It bills to my credit card every month.

I bought an unlocked Moto E (smart phone) from Amazon for about $100 a few years ago and I have all of the necessary bells and whistles of the big guys without a contract or super phone I'll never use properly since I still remember how to actually talk to people in person.

You can get a cheaper phone if you don't want a smart phone but I recommend one if you can do it since it is what most people use these days and some of the apps are pretty useful.

goldensrbest · ‎03-10-2010

I don't have a landline, i got rid of it a few years ago, i need a good cell phone ,that i have with me all the time.But can not afford a smartphone, the plan,and phone must be very reasonable.

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

We found once we retired that tracfone prepaid was the best deal for us. You only buy what you are going to use. You can go very cheap with a flip phone or pay around $100 to $125 for a smartphone with a year of service and a lot of time included. No monthly fees at all. Up to you how tecky you are.The smart phones aren't an iphone but they do the job, have a camera and you can talk or text or e mail, plus get on the internet.I would never consider going back to a contract phone again.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@hckynutjohn wrote:
@Zita wrote:
I've had a Tracfone for several years, switching up occasionally. I buy from the Tracfone website (very inexpensive) and then top off minutes as I need them.

I use my cell only for brief calls and texting to family (the grands especially). No monthly charges. I sometimes call my brother in Texas, but usually use my landline. Don't need the internet feature, although I have it (takes a lot of minutes), but I've used the photo feature. I am computer savvy, but don't need to be on a phone all the time. I use my PC or laptop for email, surfing the net, shopping, etc.

I'd vote for Tracfone!

Hi Zita,

Just some info about Tracfone. If you have wifi in your home you can use the Internet and it does not use any of your minutes or data. Wherever you might be, if you connect to a wifi network, you will not use any of your minutes. Lots of public places have wifi to which you can connect. Make sure your phone says: "wifi--CONNECTED", and you are good to go.

Texting? Uses from "texting bucket", wifi DOES NOT use cell phone towers, thus when using "a connected network", your phone should not deduct minutes or data from your Tracfone account.

hckynut(john)

@hckynutjohn

Excellent advice!!!!!

I think your advice works w/all phones. I know it works like that w/the Jitterbug phones.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@nana59 wrote:
Need suggestions for inexpensive cell phone plan. We currently pay $100 monthly, which we thought was reasonable, but have found that we don't even use the phone on a monthly basis. I never use it, and my husband uses it when he attends an occasional out-of-state train show. My husband is computer saavy, but has never been a cell phone user-and I don't even know how to use it. We would like a cell phone for an emergency, but that's about it. Suggestions, please! Thanks....

******************************

I strongly suggest you learn how to use it and carry it with you when you're out and about.

I got caught in a sticky situation with an off-balance stranger not long ago. I handled it but decided to call the police, the person was becoming violent and ranting.

My old cell started acting funny and I couldn't get it to work. What timing, hey?

My daughter got online that day and ordered an iPhone for me. She wanted it to be a gift, no way, said I, put it on my card. She went out and picked it up, brought it to me and set it up. I now have it fixed where she can track where I am, and it will send messages to my computer and her, and to the cloud if stolen. It feels safe.

You don't have to get a fancy phone, that Jitterbug is said to be good, but please learn how to use your phone for PROTECTION.