The very first option, and this shouldn’t surprise you at all considering this site is a staunch proponent of prepaid cell phone plans, is to consider a pay as you go or prepaid cell phone.
Pay as you go plans are very attractive to many people because they are cheaper than contract phones. For starters, you don’t have to sign a contract and be stuck with a company that gives you less than stellar customer service and hits you with fees when you go over your minutes.
You can drop your prepaid phone plan at any time without paying a termination fee. Sure, you may have purchased a cellular handset that only works with your provider, but you can always try to sell it on eBay if you have a change of heart.
One of the things that people love about prepaid is you don’t have to undergo a credit check before purchasing a phone plan. And you have more control with a pay as you go phone since you decide how many minutes you purchase and use each month.
There is no way to go over your allotted minutes—or for your children to go over their minutes—because you have to buy more talk time when your card is up. This is something that saves money for people over the long term. Furthermore, the average prepaid subscriber pays approximately $50 a month, while the average contract user spends $80.
One of the problems with contract plans is you are locked into a plan. It is very easy to accrue overage minutes. I hate to be a cynic, but I don’t think I would be way off if I told you that mainstream cell phone companies make their bills and plans somewhat confusing, and even design their plans, to encourage you to go over your minutes and accrue extra charges. It is not the most transparent business.
Texting is another thing that adds up ridiculously fast. Once you go over your limit, you’ll start paying heavy charges per text message. If you text a lot, you will want to either purchase a bundle and add it to your contract plan or find a prepaid plan that has unlimited text messaging. There are several prepaid plans that may be able to give you just what you need out of your wireless plan.
Three Prepaid Providers Worth Looking Into:
1) Straight Talk by Tracfone. These are great plans.
2) Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan
3) MetroPCS
4) Cricket (Leap Wireless)
All of these companies provide prepaid cell phone plans that may fit your talk habits.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
The best thing about prepaid phones is there is no contract. That’s my favorite thing at least–I don’t like being locked into a contract. Straight Talk and TracFone have great plans.
I agree with you. Prepaid phones make sense–they help me save money every month and I don’t see any service differences with the contract plans. I have been a loyal user for 6 going on 7 years. I have always used TracFone, with a little time spent with net10 for an emergency extra phone, and I recently went with Straight Talk. Overall, I’m very happy with my prepaid experience.
Prepaid phones really do make sense. I have one from tracfone that has been working really well for me.
Prepaid phone plans make sense. I get a virgin mobile phone and plan that costs me only $25 for unlimited service every month. Great deal.
Straight Talk and Tracfone seem to have good phones. I want a smart phone with my prepaid plan, so I might look at straight talk.
Carla – Straight Talk just let out two new smart phones, Nokia 6790 and Nokia E71. Another new phone is the Samsung t528g.
Aida – I’ve heard some really good things about the Virgin Mobile prepaid plans. That’s good news for you.
They really do seem to make a lot of sense especially companies like net to and tracfone and straight talk. they have consistent good offers I think.
Grant – I agree with your. TracFone and Straight Talk seem to consistently have really good offers and deals–even free phone giveaways sometimes.