Community Chat

[beckyb1012]

Mine is only for texting and talking only no internet access at all. In fact the phone is probably at least ten years old. Last month I think I used 10 minutes of a 200 minute plan with only three texts. So no not important to me.

[Tinkrbl44]

On 3/1/2015 Shorty2U said:

I have a Samsung galaxy prepaid phone for emergencies only. I never have it on. I am home a lot and just never got into phones like everyone else.

I take some ribbing from people who brag about their cells and say I need to get updated w a plan.

Sorry but I can no longer work like some of those people teasing me to get updated. My husband is the bread winner.

So A. I cant see getting a cellphone plan B. Cellphones everywhere annoy my husband and I. C. We have bills to pay, and a cellphone is not on our priority list. D. I like my big laptop. When I tried to use my Galaxy its too small and well its annoying to use ON THE NET compared to my laptop!

Anyway, its none of my business who buys what.

But the reason I asked if the phone is a priority is; I have a friend from my old job who is single, and out from work right now on disability and may not be able to return again. She went and got a new cellphone and has a plan BUT she cant pay her other bills half the time. One week she had NO food!

I didn't say anything to her even though I felt like it (because shes always complaining to me about money), BUT I thought to myself, why would you buy a cellphone and have an expensive cell plan IF you cant afford to eat or pay bills? PS) Her daughter is the same. A single mom who is barely making ends meat, and she has a newer phone and cell plan too.

Well I don't get it! If youre broke, why have a cellphone? We are not broke but to my husband and I the most important bills are our house bills, food, medical copays and medicines, and our car payment!

Now my kids and grandkids all have cells AND expensive cell plans (except the youngest grandkid) BUT they can afford it and they all work. So then I can see it.

I dont like to be mean, but when my friend cries to me again about bills and food, I am tempted to say sell your phone and cancel your plan. Because she has her priorities all wrong IMO being she isn't working.

OP, from your comments, I see that there are two different issues here ......

First, you don't like being teased that your friends think you need to be "updated with a plan" ..... well, I can say that I don't think "having a plan" is the point ..... Plan or no plan, people need access to a PHONE .... land line, cell phone, whatever.

Secondly, a lot of people no longer have land lines, so what are they supposed to use?

What I find strange is so many people think they need to "update" to a newer phone every 3 to 6 months ..... seems like a complete waste of money to me!

[terrier3]

On 3/2/2015 beckyb1012 said:

Mine is only for texting and talking only no internet access at all. In fact the phone is probably at least ten years old. Last month I think I used 10 minutes of a 200 minute plan with only three texts. So no not important to me.

Why don't you go trade in your phone?

If you've had the same one for 10 years, they will give you a new model for free....not top of the line, but new and improved.

[chickenbutt]

On 3/2/2015 Shorty2U said:

From the OP.

I appreciate your replies and I see your point on emergencies if someone doesn't have a landline.

Perhaps I word things wrong.

I did not mean ALL people should not have cellphones! I mean is it a top priority in the chain of things (like food, shelter, etc).

I assume those of you who have phone "plans" have jobs and or money to pay for them.

My friend is broke, out of work and more than likely wont be able to work again.

So instead of complaining to me she is broke and cant pay things, she should pay her housing, utilities, food etc BEFORE buying a new cellphone WITH a plan.

(If its important to have one, for emergencies she could have a PRE paid INexpensive cell like myself and a lot of you mentioned and or suggested, and not a 300 dollar phone and a 100 dollar phone plan.

PS) I have to laugh at how sometimes some people don't understand what I am trying to convey and immediately think that Im saying something I am not! Like I never said no one should have cellphones! I asked if its is a top priority? This is why it was SO much easier in the old days when people talked instead of typing. lol.

Although I guess it's not for me to say, about somebody else I don't know, I would totally agree with you. I have always been one for whom paying bills comes first. Obviously, if I had kids feeding them would come first - but I don't.

Anyway, if somebody can't even pay their bills it makes absolutely no sense to me for them to pay big bucks on a phone and a plan. I suppose our POVs are probably considered antiquated, and that's a shame. Common sense - what's that? ha

I remember times when I was very young and just barely making it at first. NOTHING came before paying my bills, always being at work on time and doing my best, and meeting commitments. Back then we didn't have cell phones, but even if we did it would not have been on my radar. I remember renting a tiny (very!) little house-behind-a-house with one bedroom that was the exact size of my waterbed and that was probably almost half the whole little house! I ate top ramen (20 for $1 back then) and even that nasty macaroni & cheese from a box that was 10 for $1 back then. But I never missed paying any of my bills. Not tooting a horn, but THIS is how I believe priorities in a civilized society should be.

[terrier3]

I got my iphone 5s for $99 - it could have been FREE with my plan if I went down one level to a 5c. I own it too.

I wouldn't assume that the friend paid a lot for her phone. Plans are set up to make the phone very low cost if you stick with the carrier for two years.

Phones are a necessity of life, especially if you have no land line.

[beckyb1012]

On 3/2/2015 terrier3 said:

On 3/2/2015 beckyb1012 said:

Mine is only for texting and talking only no internet access at all. In fact the phone is probably at least ten years old. Last month I think I used 10 minutes of a 200 minute plan with only three texts. So no not important to me.

Why don't you go trade in your phone?

If you've had the same one for 10 years, they will give you a new model for free....not top of the line, but new and improved.

Always afraid I would buy more for the phone, like internet. My bill with this phone is $42.00 a month. I am cheaper than dirt and sock it all away for my retirement one day.

[brii]

Becky, you could probably get a cheaper plan with a better phone. If you use your WiFi at home, you won't have to pay extra for internet service.

You're paying a lot for something you really don't even use.

Just my two cents...

[qualitygal]

nope, we got rid of ours.

[beckyb1012]

On 3/2/2015 brii said:

Becky, you could probably get a cheaper plan with a better phone. If you use your WiFi at home, you won't have to pay extra for internet service.

You're paying a lot for something you really don't even use.

Just my two cents...

Probably if I paid for internet at home but only have it at work and my boss pays for that. Not having access at home saves on impulse shopping/spending and I read about six library books a week at home since I rarely watch television.

[NoelSeven]

On 3/2/2015 terrier3 said:

I just upgraded to my first iphone last week.

If I would have chosen a 5c, it would have been free.

I got a 5s instead, and it cost $99. The unlimited data plan is $60.

I can check my mail, call, text, surf the web, etc. It's fantastic - I don't know why I waited so long!

SAY WHAT?

My beloved little flip-phone is more than six years old now, probably seven. I still love it and it's pretty, a nice red, it was a Valentine's special. But it's so old, the battery needs to be charged every day, even when I haven't used it.

I definitely did not want to pay $100 a month for an upgrade but I'm paying over $50 already.

I must look into this. For sure I don't need all the bells and whistles, but having a mini computer with me whenever I go out sounds good to me.