How The Frugal Girl does cell phones
A number of you have asked about this over the 2.5 year course of this blog, so I thought a post on the topic was more than in order. 😉
This is my cell phone.
I think it cost $20 (it might have even been free after a rebate), and the only service it has is pre-paid minutes from T-Mobile.
My phone doesn't text or have internet. It doesn't take pictures (I have a few other devices that take care of that pretty well!) or video. It doesn't have a touch screen. I don't even think it has any games on it.
Know what else my phone doesn't have?
A contract.
A monthly bill.
But you know what it does have?
The ability to take and receive calls.
Which is, after all, what a phone is supposed to do.
I know this sort of cell phone plan wouldn't work for a lot of people, but for me, it does. I hardly ever use my cell phone, so my pre-paid minutes last me forever. I keep mine turned off most of the time and only turn it on when I need to use it (like when I am out and Mr. FG is at home with the kids and I need to ask him a question).
I'm home most of the time, so my home phone is available to me, and if I'm out and about, I figure that it is not the end of the world if someone has to wait a few hours to get ahold of me. People used to manage with nothing but a home phone (and before that, with no phone!), so I figure that I do not need to be available at the touch of a button all the time.
My cell phone costs me less than $100/year in prepaid minutes, so I'm paying about $8/month for my cell phone. This is definitely cheaper than any cell phone contract I could ever hope to have.
But frugality is not the only reason I have resisted the upgrade to a smartphone.
No, the main reason I don't want a smartphone is that I don't think I could handle the temptation. I have enough trouble resisting the call of the computer and the laptop and if I had the internet available to me at all times, I think I would use it way too much.
I don't want to become one of those people who is attached at the hip to their phone.
I don't want to be walking down the sidewalk, texting away.
I don't want to be sitting at the dinner table, checking my email.
I don't want to be at the park with my kids, reading my Facebook feed.
I don't want to be one of those people who is busy texting while you're trying to talk to me in person (I hate that so much!).
I don't want to be one of those people who is always answering the phone or glancing at the phone in the midst of a real-life conversation.
I don't want to be insanely engaged with people through my phone, but disengaged with people in real life.
When I am not doing a computer-related task, I want to be present, not just in body, but in mind too. And I don't think I'd have the self-control to do that if I had a SmartPhone.
Because of that, even if I could get rid of my home phone and save money by just having a cell phone (that's not the case at this point in time), I don't think I would. I'm pretty sure that my quality of life would suffer instead of being improved and I'm very certain that my mothering and wifing would take a hit.
So.
That's how I do (and don't do) cell phones. I know that cell phones and SmartPhones are helpful or even necessary for some people, and I know that some people do use them responsibly, but I know myself well enough to know that a fancy-schmancy cell phone is not a wise choice for me.
Today's 365 post: Normally we don't eat in the living room...
Ah, that sounds like an attractive option in many ways. When my husband retired we also retired our land line and went exclusively to a pair of cells. It's working well so far but I am afraid it is not so inexpensive as your solution. One issue for us (in many areas, not just cells) is that we live in "the country" and services out here are quite limited. We simply do not have the choices that people in town do.
Great Post. I FINALLY broke down and got a phone due to concerns that my old car would leave me stranded. It cost about $20 + the cost of the prepaid minutes. i've had it since Dec. and haven't used it once. I share your concerns about the phone usage and how technology is used today. I deal with the public at my job (library clerk) and often I can complete an entire transaction with a person while they are on their phone the whole time. Some do not even ackowledge me in any way as I am checking out their books. I find this extremely sad for us as a society. Don't even get me started on the people who walk in front of your car while they are texting.
I so so wish I worked from home so that I could cut my cell-phone use drastically and save us some money on our monthly $100ish bill from Verizon. My husband and I both work full time out of the home, I have a long commute (nearly an hour each way), and I'm also taking grad school classes two nights a week. It is crucial for my safety that I have a cell phone with me all the time. We have the minimum family plan with Verizon, no data plan, and a small amount of monthly texts. For us at this point in our life, this cell phone plan and no house phone is what works the best. I know there are cheaper contracts out there, but we both have friends and ALL of our family members on Verizon so we take advantage of the free member to member calls. I should also add that we both cannot take personal calls on our phone lines at work.
Kristen, is your husband also on a phone with prepaid minutes? Just curious since he works outside the home and probably uses his phone more than you do. Does anyone have a prepaid plan with Verizon? Would it make sense to switch to that if cheaper or does it look good on your credit report to have that contract? (We're only 25 and need all the credit-building help we can get.)
Rachel,
I am sorry I don't understand how a cell phone can help your safety. Will it defend you in an attack? Make you more aware of your surroundings? NO, talking/texting etc. on a cell is a distraction! It doesn't matter if you're driving, walking or sitting at a red light. You have been sold a few lies.
One, that the world is a horrible, dangerous place.
Two, that a cell phone could protect you. Like those gas guzzling SUV's were safer.
Three, that you need credit. This is just an "I love debt score". Get a prepaid plan, like Virgin, save your cash and use cash instead of credit on that next big purchase. See Dave Ramsey for more info.
Not to make assumptions about what Rachel was saying, but my guess would be it's associated with driving to work and school. I'm in a similar situation (work FT plus grad school) and I would never drive either place without a phone on me. I'm so afraid of my car breaking down and not having a phone to call for help. I can imagine few scarier things than walking down a dark highway at night looking for an exit ramp and a payphone.
I know this is a year old, but I had to comment.
It's more excuse to keep the new phone, versus using the money you would save on the monthly cell service, to get your car to the point where it would most likley not break down "in the middle of the night."
Wow, that was highly presumputous and attacky.
Ever heard of car breaking down and the comfort of being able to call someone for help?
I have used a Virgin Mobile Pre-paid service for many years. I have never paid more than $7.00/month. I can text, but rarely do. It works for me. I don't want to be that connected and son't have a job that would require it. I also don't want to spend that much.
YES! I ditched the contracts in 1999. At that time, most companies were being sued for not letting customers out of contracts even though they moved and could no longer get service. I have been with Virgin Mobile since, although there are several no contract companies now. I will give a quick comparison as to why this is a no brainer. I recently got a LG Optimus V, Android 2.2. First of all, if you don't know that this is a brand and the OS run by google, you don't NEED a smartphone.
300 minutes and unlimited data and text $25.oo + sales tax. ($26.56) - Virgin Mobile
450 mins plus data and text w/iphone $75.00 + taxes and fees (at least $87.00 in IL) - Verizon and similar w/ATT. that $726 difference a year can send me on a nice vacation!
I switched from a phone and phone plan very similar to what you have now (pre-paid, no bells and whistles) to an all-singing, all-dancing iPhone in late 2008. While I love my iPhone and can't imagine life without it now, I completely understand your reasons for keeping your "regular" phone. I definitely find myself getting absorbed in my gadget and filling time with it. It's a real temptation and something I struggle with keeping in check.
I totally agree about the smart phones. My family all has iPod touches, and whenever we're out and about they are always trying to find internet signal. And for what reason? I'm sure if I had one I'd find lots of ways to use it, but I don't want to know what those ways are!
My husband and I both have prepaid minute phones. His is probably about 8 or nine years old - it isn't pretty, but since he only uses it about 5 times a month, who cares? He's a college professor and once took it out to answer a call (all of which are from me) in front of his students and was the recipient of some serious mocking for his "pathetic" phone. He didn't care. Gosh, I love that guy. 🙂
Kristin, you ARE a kindred spirit!!! 😀 You have totally validated me! I refuse to upgrade my phone. I have had the same one for several years (the one before that I had so long the company made me upgrade, because mine was obsolete and could not receive their upgraded signal. 😉 ) I do appreciate that cell phones make communication easier (especially if you are a working mother), but I see so many people around me that are losing basic social skills and common courtesy for the sake of their smart phones. Technology is ruling their lives. It also drives me crazy that their is a generation of children who cannot spell or punctuate properly, because of the readability of texting. In fact, I really despise texting! I would much rather speak to the person, and hold an actual conversation. I guess I am old fashioned, but I have very basic service. I usually only have my phone on when I am running errands or at work, so that my children can reach me. I really only give my cell phone number out to a very limited number of people.
I think that Smart Phones are ridiculous. Other than using my phone for calls and texting (which I will explain momentarily), I can't see a reason to be online. AT ALL. If I need to use the internet, there is always my laptop. And when I'm out of the house -- well, I am OUT OF THE HOUSE - internet not necessary 🙂
In regards to texting - it is the primary way that my 3 kids keep in touch with me during the day. I don't text when I'm having a conversation (how rude!) but I will check when one comes in, because I am just that freaky about my kids being able to contact me 24/7. And there have been three times in particular that receiving a text from my oldest daughter has - quite literally - saved her life.
I know some people use smart phones to do price comparisons, product comparisons, etc. when out and about. I don't have a smart phone, but that's one of the main reasons I would like one! It would save us lots of time and heartache.
YES. I agree with you so much. My husband would really like me to get a smarter phone -- I don't text and my friends are always texting him messages for me 🙂 However, I feel like it's enough of a struggle to be truly present in every day life as it is!
I do need a more reliable cell phone though -- we don't have a landline and as a doula I absolutely cannot miss a call.
YES!!!!!
We've had the conversation of dropping our cell phones time and time again, but just can't bring ourselves to pull the plug. And since I upgraded to a Blackberry? Ugh. I'm addicted. But I draw the line at using it in social situations. (However, I have to confess getting on FB at stop lights... Oh, the shame.)
But seriously, with long distance charges, switching to a land line and losing the cells wouldn't really save us that much money. Or at least that's what we tell ourselves...
Oh my, don't even get me started on the RUDENESS that comes into play with smartphones. I know they are very cool gadgets and can do a lot of things, but I can't tell you how many times I'm out to dinner with friends or at a party with friends and EVERYONE is on their smartphones. It's insane! How about we all focus on the people that are right in front of us instead of texing/e-mailing/facebooking those who are not? It's bizarre, and a huge pet peeve of mine. I think smartphones should come with an etiquette class, seriously.
Also, my boyfriend has a smartphone through work, and it is constantly broken in that it doesn't take calls. How does that make an ounce of sense? To me a phone is for phone calls, and maybe texts. If it can't do those two things then it's not a phone anymore.
FINALLY, I can't stand people who think they *need* a smartphone for work. Yes, there are people who need to be available 24/7 for work, like doctors. But for the most part, people should be able to do their jobs in their normal work hours. Smartphones give people the illusion that their job is more important than it really is (Sorry, but let's be honest here. Every worker does not need to be available 24/7), while allowing companies to get extra free hours of work out of their employees.
Oh my, does this topic stress me out 🙂
Oh, but I can give you a job that is on call 24/7 and has not a thing to do with medicine.
Property Managment.
Especially Public Housing Property Managment.
I have to schedule my time OFF call, if that makes any sense.
Right, there are certainly jobs where being on call 24/7 is a necessity, and it sounds like you have one!
I just see so many people getting smart phones from work when it really, really isn't necessary.
I certainly agree there are jobs where having a smartphone is ideal, but there ARE jobs where people have smartphones and they're not in medicine..
For example, at my company, every IT person is required to have one, as are project managers who must monitor certain servers and emails.
They CAN do their jobs during NORMAL work hours, but not all our clients work during our normal work hours. Is a smartphone an absolute necessity in my company? No but having one allows the company to be on top of any issues right away, instead of finding out hours later there is a problem and losing thousands of dollars in business.
Lol RIGHT. I know I shouldn't have given any examples. Yes, like I said, some people do NEED a phone for work. Especially jobs where emergencies may occur.
But, for example, I have a friend who is a tax accountant and has a blackberry for work. Is it nice to have a phone for work? Sure, maybe. Does it make her feel important? Certainly. But I highly doubt there are going to be any tax-related emergencies, outside of tax season, that can't be handled during normal (typically extended) business hours.
I agree with almost everything in this post, but I've handled the phone just a little differently. T-Mobile is the only provider I've ever used and I haven't upgraded my phone in years, so I'm no longer under contract. My husband and I bought phones similar to yours, which are sold as pre-paid only, but we just took the SIM cards out of our old phones and put them in the new ones. The plan we have fits our needs better than pre-pay (at least at the current time, it does), and we can still use the cheapo basic phones and still do not have a contract. This is a very good thing because my husband goes through phones quickly. He's a construction worker and the dirt and debris can ruin a phone in a few short months.
Amen to all of the above! I, too, had to upgrade for signal reception. Boo-hiss! Anyway, for the most recent phone acquisition for a teen (who, thankfully, is as annoyed with cells as her mother and older sisters), we went with a T-Mobile pre-paid plan. Only these minutes will expire - so, how do I get the unexpiring minutes? I was really aggravated to find out that 30 minutes of the 45 we purchased vaporized at the end of some period of time - 90 days?? Help would be appreciated!
Maybe there should be twist on the "Drink Responsibly" bumper stickers to "Use Technology Politely".
at the end of 90 days if you purchase more mins those should roll over. You will be accumulating mins through the year. You can check out a Tracphone. For $99 you can activate it for a year. This is what we did to have an extra phone in the house since we don't have a landline. It comes with several hundred minutes.
I'm in total agreement with you on this one. I raised my daughter, now 29, without the use of a cell phone; my son, now an 8th grader, shares a prepaid cell phone with his father. If my son is going to be away in the evening, he takes it with him. During the day, it's in the car, so my husband can use it if he has car trouble. When it's not in use, it's turned off. As for me, I'm at home and just use the land line, or as I call it, the phone. I don't even know how to use our cell phone. The best part, the cell only costs $20 every three months, and the minutes just keep building up, as we use the phone so seldom.
LOL I am very much attached to the hip with my iphone. It has only been helpful to my busy and hectic life and at times a saving grace. Living in a big city there have been countless times I've had to google map to my next destination. Rowdy kids waiting in line running an errand...iphone to the rescue with an educational game or book for them to read. Texting is an effective way for me to communicate with my husband while at work. I like getting a text from him that will say, "I Love you." it makes me smile while at work. I like being able to text him, "ETA???" so I know when to have dinner on the table. His job doesn't allow him to pick up the phone to call me and I hate to disturb him at work, because I never know if he is with a client, but we can send a quick text to let us know we are thinking about each other. The Video/picture option...well thanks to the iphone I've been able to catch first steps and moments I wouldn't otherwise have been able to catch without its accessibility. I bring it with me to the gym and read a book, listen to music, or catch up on email. I see a lot of good and positive in owning a smart phone. I do have phone courtesy and even with it being attached to my hip, I'm not rude or inconsiderate. There is etiquette to it that I wish more people would follow. I guess I'm lucky that there is no temptation to constantly be on my phone and I can be present in my life and relationships with the people around me, even with the iphone in my pocket. Oh how I love thee iphone, it is a luxury item we allow ourselves to have, definitely something we don't need, it's something we splurge on. 😉
My husband and I pay about $80/month for our very basic, no texting/data cell plan. Our contract is up in August and we CAN'T WAIT to switch to the pay-as-you-go plan. With Verizon (as we understand it), you only pay a dollar each day you use your phone and a low rate per minute to calls outside the Verizon network. All our family uses Verizon, so our monthly bill should end up being way lower since we hardly ever use more than about 250 minutes/month!
We used to have texting when we were still dating (long distance) and it was so nice getting a fun text from him during the day! It was a nice way to stay in touch and send sweet messages throughout the day. Not necessary, by any means, but fun 🙂
AMEN!
I must say I do need my cell phone. With long distance fees and my sister living in another state I do like my cell phone. I had an "accident" with my phone (dropped it in the sink, while talking and doing dishes-multi-tasking?) and had to get a new one. It is hard to get a basic phone! We are with T-Mobile and have five lines. My husband, mine, my son-at college, and my other son and my mom. We pay 100 dollars a month for all five lines. No long distance fees, unlimited minutes and I have no land line. I have liked switching over. It has worked for us. I do only use my phone as a phone though. None of the other stuff. That said, the camera that is on it came in very handy the other day. I was at Goodwill, and found a pair of shoes. Sent a pic of them to my son to see if he liked them. He did. Score! A pair of Vans for $3.
We have a similar T-Mobile plan for our family of five, and no land line. Making that change saved us quite a bit. I like having free long distance as none of our extended family lives near to us. Our monthly phone expense includes unlimited texting for our daughters, but they each do an extra chore (the laundry, clean all bathrooms and mop all the floors) each week for that privilege because neither my husband nor I text. We have pretty strict rules here at home about when phones can be used (and they have lost their phones when the rules were broken), and their schools have even stricter rules with harsher punishments for inappropriate cell phone use. Our youngest daughter only has a phone because she is home alone sometimes, but she is not allowed to take her phone to school. We don't pay for internet connection either and if the girls did connect somehow it would show up as a charge on our bill, so they don't.
I'm the one that needs a new phone, but only because mine is so old it sometimes doesn't get a signal. A new phone will be something simple again though, if possible. One daughter's phone camera is the one I currently use to take pictures for my blog, but we should (finally) be purchasing a new camera soon.
I feel very similarly about cell phones! We don't have a landline, so my husband and I each have very basic cell phones. He has something like 50 texts per month, and I have unlimited texts (I am a big texter...) Our plan costs us about $90 per month. I would LOVE a smart phone, mostly to do price and product comparisons when we're out shopping. I try to do research ahead of time, but often it's really difficult. If one of us had a smart phone, we could save ourselves many trips back home to do further research, trips back to the store to return items, etc. But we're too cheap. 🙂
Interesting post and even more interesting comments. My husband and I have very basic phones - no camera, no texting. We got it because of the security system in our home and for emergencies. I have a hard time remembering to turn it off and on. I second Kristen's concern about the temptation. I am right there with her on that one. My home computer is bad enough.
And I second Kristen's and others' about the rudeness. My real concern though are mothers with young children who are talking on the phone rather than interacting with their children. I think the kids are really missing out on so much.
My husband has an emergency cell phone that we do 'pay as you go' on, but we pay $7 for unlimited calling to one phone number -- our home phone number. It works for us so long as my husband doesn't lose his cell and so long as he remembers to charge it... lol...
I dislike when you're talking to someone and they interrupt you to take a call. As you stand there and wait for them to finish you hear the conversation and it's just a basic chit chat call.
I agree about the loss of social skills. I was at a walk in clinic recently and 12/14 people sitting down were on cell phones/devices. I was one of the ones *not* on. It made me realize how back in the good ole days you would strike up a conversation with the person on your right or your left, but now with everyone around you on some sort of technology you feel isolated even sitting in a room full of people.
No way!! I have the SAME phone. I get the prepaid T Mobile minutes too and it comes out to about 100 dollar a YEAR!!! My husband got a cool Blackberry from his workplace because his job is pretty mobile and he needs to be connected at all times. While I was temporarily jealous of his cool phone at the time, I'm now very content with my simple little cell. It does what I need it to do. Saw a woman just about get run over in the Target parking lot the other day while absorbed in typing something in on her touch screen phone. Not sure I want to get caught up in that.
Our cell phone is strictly for emergency use now. It was a transition phone while we were moving, and since my husband is disabled and I am sometimes away from the house without him, it gives me a way to check up on him. I used to have a cell phone with me all the time - so my parishioners could get in touch with me. It rang in meetings, while I was driving,while I was out running, even late at night when I was blissfully asleep ignoring the house phone. We use prepay, and sometimes I have to think of someone to call to use th eminutes!
I do cell phones the same way. 😉
I upgraded to a smartphone in August of last year. There have been some good things about it, as well as some not-so-good things. It's helped me be a bit more organized, because before my to-do lists, grocery lists, and calendar were scattered everywhere and I had trouble keeping track of it all, whereas now it's all in one place directly in my pocket. As a wannabe photographer, the high quality (for a cell phone) camera that came with it was a huge selling point since I always meant to practice taking photos but never seemed to have my camera on me, and I've noted a marked improvement in the pictures I'm taking. Before, I'd had a limited texting plan that I seemed to go over about half the time, and now I have an app that lets me have unlimited texts for free.
But there are some caveats to this. I'm on a five person family plan where none of us use many minutes, so my monthly cost is only $50 (still much, much more than Kristen's $8, but pretty good for a smartphone). I don't intend to upgrade my phone within my two year contract, though people are already talking about buying the next model that's supposed to be out in June (!!!). And finally, once my contract is up I'm debating moving back down to a "dumbphone", for several reasons. For one, I don't like always being on call to Facebook, email, and messageboards, and I've found I have trouble putting off checking my phone once it vibrates because "what if it's something important?".
Also, as a result of owning a smartphone I've been using laptop considerably less, which means that I've got duplicate technological devices. Depending on pricing and availability, I may opt to either downgrade my phone when my contract is up, or sell my rather expensive laptop and move to a third or fourth generation tablet computer with keyboard. The keyboard and larger screen is what my phone is missing to be my complete camera/laptop/phone/organizer, and I already have a large external hard drive so space isn't an issue.
Sorry for the extensive length, and I don't mean this as a rebuttal to your post at all, and this has also been me thinking out my options as well. 🙂
No worries...as I said in my post, my cell phone plan is definitely not for everyone. But, I think it's the right one for me, at least at this point in time.
I didn't think I wanted a smart phone for some of the same reasons you posted. I really thought the temptation to check facebook, etc. would be too much for me to handle and I like to be present with the folks I'm with. My husband REALLY (Regis Philbin style shout) wanted me to have one though, and when I finally gave in, it turned out o.k. It helps keep me off the computer. I check quickly during boring times (like when I waiting in the parking lot for the kids to get out of school) and I log in less at home. I think it takes conscientious effort just like anything else. I hate seeing people on them all the time too. They're definitely not frugal, but for us, it's worked out.
You don't need to have a smartphone to be an inconsiderate texter/cell phone user. Many smartphones are not the must frugal choice, but that doesn't mean they're an irresponsible choice. If people are capable of regulating their addictions to technology, then a smartphone is no more dangerous than a laptop computer. Calling them "rediculous" because one user doesn't find them personally necessary is not a constructive criticism.
I personally have a blackberry, and all the bells and whistles that come with it. But I don't have a home phone. And I don't need a GPS because my phone is equipped with one. And I don't answer incoming calls unless I'm at home or I'm expecting the call. I am not a constant texter, I don't use facebook on my phone, and the person I blackberry message the most is my little brother. And these people that dog the use of internet on ones phone -- well, it can be a convenient timesaver if you're trying to find out when that specific store closes, or where the closest gas station is, or what the number for the restaurant is because you're lost and need help getting there. Just because you utilize these features doesn't make you a rude-self absorbed-tech obsessed cell phone junkie.
I think many people may be missing the point of Kristen's post - "I know that cell phones and SmartPhones are helpful or even necessary for some people, and I know that some people do use them responsibly, but I know myself well enough to know that a fancy-schmancy cell phone is not a wise choice for me."
Totally. People just need to know themselves well enough to know if they can manage to handle the phone responsibly.
Just when I think that no one understands me, a posting like this comes along. It is not that I think that your smart phone is bad, it is the fact that I may have trouble controlling myself with it. Thank you.
I was thinking about getting something just like this very soon. Right now I pay $74 a month for 450 minutes with verizon!! This includes unlimited text and NO internet!!
I currently have an ipad which satisfys all my social media cravings so there really is no point in having to pay that much.
HOWEVER, texting is something I do not want to give up. I wonder if there is a phone like this that offers an unlimited text option. I rarely ever actually TALK on the phone anymore.
🙂
I totally agree. I don't have a smartphone for the same reason. I hate being places and watching people interrupt their conversations to check their phones. I use mine only for communication-- making and receiving calls, and texting at times when it makes communication easier (ie- I am running late, will call later). Technologically is wonderful in many ways, but it also holds us back from interactions with others and being in the "real world" rather than inside in our homes in front of the tv/computer/games/etc. It is refreshing to see others who feel the same!!
I have a tracfone and texting is at a reduced cost. I think it deducts .3 minutes from my pre-paid account. I also like that I'm more conscious about making/receiving calls with a pre-paid phone so I'm not just making calls because I can. There's usually something better to be doing with my time... like driving!
This sounds like me! My husband tell my sometimes I am born in the wrong time?
Because I am thinking the old fashion way. I am happy that time a spend white my boys is just for us. Not for phone calls etc.
Great Post!
I agree wholeheartedly! My biggest complaint about cell phones is being interrupted by the cell phone of the person with whom I'm having a conversation. Very rude.
I have a cell phone, but it stays off most of the time. I use it while I am out, if needed. I can be reached on my land line or by message on my land line.
For us, using our cell phones as our home phone significantly reduced our phone bill. We have family I would call long distance and that added up to a large land line bill every month! Our cell phone plan has free weekends so that's when I do the majority of my long distance family check ins.
How will you handle your children's interests in getting cell phones when they are older? What is your advice for helping parents raise happy, relatively gadget-free kids, without making them feel like they are missing out on the techy toys they see their friends using? I didn't have a phone until I was driving, but the elementary school children who walk by my house are chatting away on their very own phones. I know that I will eventually have to make a decision about cell phone use with my daughter and would appreciate your perspective. Although money isn't my main issue with cell phones, I am concerned about my child's privacy and availability.
For our family, cell phones are a safety issue. Once our kids are in middle school and involved in activities that keep them there after school - it is ME, the mother - who insists on the cell phone. I know that I'm cynical, but we no longer live in a safe world, and I want my kids to be able to call 911 or me at any given moment.
I'm pretty much of the same mind as you. I seldom use my cell except when I'm away from home and have a quick question for someone, and I turn it on when I'm traveling and want the people who are expecting my arrival to be able to get in touch if they need to. I pay $20 for 120 minutes every 3 months to keep my TracFone active, and have never come close to using all of the minutes, which do accumulate, you don't lose them at the end of the period. It works much better for me than the cheapest contract I could find, which charged me $39.99/mo even if I didn't use it for one minute that month! The phone cost me $20 to begin with, though you can get models for $10. It does have internet on it, but I never use it--I can do that at home or with my laptop that I take when I travel. It texts, but I've only used that a time or two in the two years I've owned it! So it definitely works for me at less than $7/mo!!
Hi Kristen! I just wanted to say that I completely agree with this post! We had a cell phone for a while, but since we don't get very good coverage from our house, and rarely used it, we gave it up. I actually like that I can get away from the phone, or even if I'm not in the mood to answer it, don't have to. I also like to let the phone ring if I have other friends over, as I think it's rude to answer the phone when you are already visiting with people who are with you face to face. I figure if it's important enough they can leave a message. Many of my friends have texting, and Internet on their phones, and it drives me crazy when they use them when we are visiting face to face. Thanks so much for your refreshing ideas on this.
Great idea but, I am worried about brain cancer. I had a relative get it from car phone and cell phone excessive use. I like Virgin mobile.
I so agree with your post. A number of years ago when I was working in Downtown Detroit, I broke down of the expressway and was stranded for hours. I told myself that if I ever made it home, I was going to get a "car phone-those phones in a bag that had to stay in the car". They had no plans back then and calls were $1.00 a minute. It did give me some security after that. Now I have a rather modern phone and I hate it. I can never remember to keep it charged and I don't like being available at all times. I would never give up my land line and I agree with Kristen that people did just find before we had them.
There's nothing that drives me more insane than someone who is chatting on their phone, standing right in the way of where I need to be in a store yet oblivious to the world around them. Their children are running around, yelling, throwing toys around and torturing people, and the stores are crowded with people who NEED to shop without their phone. Ugh.
My husband and I, for financial reasons mostly but also logically, use a Net10 phone (made by Tracphone!). We get more rollover minutes and it is cheaper than Trac Phone, and it costs $15 per monh. We can text if we want but it is rare, and since we are aways together we have only 1 phone. I consider it a borderline necessity due to car trouble/emergency situations since we're both disabled BUT I will never again sign a contract that costs a fortune to get out of just because I want the latest technology.
It would be nice to be able to afford the luxury but even if I could I'd spend the cash smewhere else!
Kudos to you for the support of pre-paid lines. I have a hard time convincing others why it's ideal at least for us!
One thing that makes me sad...I know several women (at least 3 or 4) who have recently had babies but have had to go back to "work" because they are in debt and can't afford to stay at home. They talk about how they want to stay at home, yet I don't see any action in their life that is moving them towards that goal. (eating out often, buying expensive cars and so on) One common thing I've observed is they all have expensive iPhones and data plans and I constantly see them playing on them when they are holding their baby (if we are out to eat, at church, at someone's home, nursing their baby). It makes me sad for their children, and I wonder how many mothers out there are so addicted to technology that they are neglecting their relationship/connection with their children. I wonder what that sweet baby is feeling or thinking as it looks up into the eyes of their mommy and finds them staring at something else all the time. It also makes me want to ask them what is more of a priority - their child or having the latest technology!! I am thankful for moms that are being cautious and putting their children first!!
Oh boy, this is a hot topic! I LOVE my Samsung Fascinate! It's a beauty. I have always bought "top of the line" phones when I upgrade, but I don't ever feel the need to upgrade until I'm ready to- not when Verizon first offers me a discount to renew my contract. This is my first smart phone, which was purchased as a gift for me (yay!). I have a pretty suped-up plan and I wouldn't have it any other way. For my family, we chose to go a different route. We love our fancy phones and all of the flexibility it gives us. So, we've actually NEVER had a land line! We also recently canceled our cable and have not regretted it for a minute. For us, our cell phones are more important than cable and a land line, so we're happy to make the payoff.
The crossing guard at my school says 4 out of every 5 parents in their cars are either on their phone or texting during pick up and drop off time. A terrifying little something to think about while the kids are out playing on their bikes or walking home from school! To me that is evidence that it's really more of a drug than a communication tool. I have a five year old flip phone with no data plan and that's fine with me. I know that if I had access to my facebook account all the time I'd be checking it constantly. I love technology, but honestly it can hinder one's quality of life if you're not careful!
I love it. This is me and BF. We have an old candybar style phone like that, and it just works.
I use it to text, but very rarely... I have separate devices for my organizer, music (iPod) and a camera. I don't need it all in one phone to do a mediocre task when each individual device does it better on its own
My husband works on construction sites, so needs a cell phone for business. He leaves it turned off and in his vehicle while he is working and checks for messages during breaks only, so he has very low usage and a bill to match. Because he has had it so long, the company offered us a free second phone that uses his phone's minutes. I guess they were hoping to up his usage with a second phone. It has all kinds of gizmos on it that have never been used. I really couldn't care less about them. I also am home, so use our land line if and when I need to use a phone. Our kids take the second one when they go somewhere there isn't a phone, especially at night, so they can call in an emergency. We have had it for about a year and a half, and had to charge it for the second time a month or so ago. We had the company block text messages after we noticed one that somebody sent asking who's number it was?!?
Using a cell phone or any other similar device while driving (or believing you can) was banned here about a year ago. A few months later a young girl heading to school was hit by a driver in the middle of texting. I really hate them as a "social" device. Very, very few people are so indispensable that they need to have one on the side of their head all the time. I simply walk away from anyone who becomes involved in a cell phone conversation or text in the middle of a real conversation. I think it is offensive, and implies that the second conversation is more important. I understand that incoming calls can sometimes be a top priority, and "excuse me, I have to take this call" is perfectly acceptable. "Woa, dude" just isn't.
I really agree with you. My husband and I each have a cell phone but we do not text and we do not have internet access and we have a nice camera so we don't need that feature either. He works long hours and it is one way we stay connected for now. Many of your pet peeves are mine as well. I am saddened when I see couples out sitting down for a meal and each one is on their cell phones. Somehow I don't think they are talking to eachother! And then I am saddened by all the children that are abandoned while mom is checked out on her cell phone for most of the trip to the store or at the restaurant. Will people wake up before it is too late to realize all they are squandering for worthless time on the cell phone? I hope so but I do not hold my breath!
I love your cell phone plan but at this point in our lives something like that would not work for us. My husband is a soldier and recently returned from 13 months in Afghanistan. While he was away (and he is still often away) my T-Mobile Blackberry never once dropped a phone call from him and I would get my emails from him sent straight to my phone and we could email back and forth (almost felt like texting - which was not available in his area due to the Taliban destroying the cell phone towers). So while our plan is one of the "fancy bells and whistles" ones that I'd rather not have, it's worth EVERY penny and I'd even be willing to pay more to have that service again when he deploys in the future 🙂
I love this post and agree with you. I wish more people were disconnected from their cell phones. I'm sure some of them couldn't go a day without one. I work retail and so many people think it's okay to be on their cell phones while ignoring the cashier (it's not, it's VERY rude). I've even had dates in the past that'd text or answer their phones. Guess what? They never got a second date but always wondered why.
I, a cell-phone dependent, agree about financial transactions. Because seriously, each one is only 1-4 minutes long--most things can wait. I usually try to hang up for that brief interlude. Infrequently, I get distracted or my sister is going on and on and on 🙂 and instead I apologize to the salesperson. They always say, "it's okay;" I always say, "no, it's not okay, and I really am sorry to be rude to you."
***I don't want to be one of those people who is busy texting while you're trying to talk to me in person (I hate that so much!).***
Appreciate your words above. Let's call each other out when we see this and see if we can work to stop it.
I definitely agree with you about the temptation factor! I got my first "smart" phone just last week and before I got it and now, I pray about the temptation factor. It is definitely there but I try to be intentional about putting it away. I have to admit I do love it, though and it is nice when I'm gone for the weekend and get home late. If I've been checking periodically throughout the weekend, it saves me time when I get home. And I totally agree with some of the earlier comments: people lack phone etiquette with all types of phones! But I would definitely say the temptation is more there with a smart phone!
Hello Kristen, I think you cherish the good quality values from a few decades ago and so do I. I still like the thought of mending clothes instead of throwing them away when they have holes in them. I remember how my mother used to still repair socks on a light bulb to make them last longer when I was a kid in 1971 and we had no TV in South Africa then.
I just keep a Tracfone for emergencies as I've found them really cheap, it only costs me $7/month for service days, the plan costs $19.99/60min/90 days and a simple $10 Tracfone phone.
I do fancy browsing on a fast web phone though as a few times I've been out shopping and can't find what I'm looking for and then find I've got to go home to my computer to search for a shop that's got the item I need. Had I browsed the web on a phone at the shopping center I wouldn't have had to go all the way home I could have gone to the other shop straight away.
I have a child who will enter middle school in the fall, and this sounds like a great way to start him off, if we determine that he does in fact need a cell phone before he is old enough to drive.
I have a phone with internet capabilites (not a smart phone, though), but I do not use it for anything other than calls. I didn't take the time time to learn, so it isn't a temptation or additional cost. Thank you!
It is great to hear your son doesn't have a cell phone yet. I have to tell you I work in a school where the kids start getting not only cell phones but smart phones around 3rd grade.
I know this comment is coming pretty late, but I just wanted to say thanks! You inspired us to get rid of our cell phone contract and move to pre-paid. We're $110/month richer thanks to you! We put some more details on our blog at http://abundantlyless.wordpress.com/. Again, thanks!
Virgin Mobile FTW. I've been using them for almost a decade now. The plan I used to have was like 1000 texts/$10 which I only used half. I couldn't always answer phone calls at work, so it was useful. Years with that plan, and five phones later, and now on their OptimusV...and..well I don't like it because the battery life feels like a fraction of my previous LG Rumor Touch was. I have to charge the phone everyday, and that's just lame and inconvenient. I might go back to using a plain phone :/
Echo, echo, echo. I love all your reasons for why you don't need a smartphone.
My pals sit around using their iPhones during MOPS, of all places, where you go to have conversation and time with other moms, but they still can't. put. the. phone. down. Sad, really.
We don't have a landline or smartphones (and my husband's phone looks a lot like yours). I'm planning on upgrading at some point (when I can master a few other frugal habits to account for the change in cost...we're contract free as well). I need a calendar that follows me where ever I am (not a big fat paper one) and I'd love a GPS when I'm getting lost somewhere with the kids...not to mention the coupon apps I'd use! I agree completely on the temption to constantly check it though... I'll be in a big fight with myself over that.
I love this! Thank goodness there are some of us out there that want to have real face to face interaction, when possible. I get discussed when I see a family out to dine and they are all talking to others on their phones. It is a picture that would make my grandmother roll over in her grave.
All this stuff should be suppliments to normal old fashion conversation not in place of it. Only when you can't be face to face.
I have a little thing I do to save money too. I have my electronics all plugged into the strips and I shut them off at night. There is always some power going to these devices. So when you plug them into a strip there is only one still coming to the strip instead of all of them. This works great for low energy items that don't run all at the same time like the DVD, WII, VCR anything that is just a pain to keep plugging and unplugging. DVR's don't like this. They have to reset and get messed up. So my TV and these other things are on one strip and when I am gone all day or over night I shut the whole thing off. I do the same with the PC router, modem and printer.
What sevice lets you roll over minutes on a prepay? Is that T-mobile?
I recall my first cell phone and service with Sprint. What nonsense paying literally hundreds of dollars ($300 range) per month because I couldn't add those minutes used. I also got the monthly warranty for our family phones which hiked our bill even more, and we were on two consecutive two-year contracts.
We switched to MetroPCS's $40 per month plan and flashed our Sprint phones over. When those phones burned out, we bought new, CHEAP phones from Metro and changed our service to $25 a month per phone. I like how Metro doesn't add in taxes and surcharges so that the amount varies month to month. It's straightforward...$25 per month for unlimited talk and text.
I imagine as technology advances and more options become available, the basics will keep getting cheaper. I still want talk/text, but for even less than $25.