Phones on the Cheap

secretwealth · Post by **secretwealth** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:16 am

I had a cheap Nokia pay-as-you-go phone with AT&T. It cost $2 per day--if you didn't use the phone, you didn't pay for that day.
I thought this was a great deal--I almost never use my phone, so I thought this would be ideal. However, I quickly realized that this won't work. One wrong number and you've spent $2 for the day. I'm a freelancer and I get all of my business calls on my cell phone, so I have to answer no matter what. Quickly, I realized that I was paying almost $60/mo. for a crappy phone.
I took a less independent approach: I signed up for a secondary phone on my mom's family plan. Now I have an iPhone 4GS for $200 and $25/mo. for smartphone functionality, 200mb data (it's all I need--my ISP is Clear, and I take it with me when I walk around town), and enough call time for my needs.
Of course, one could've done this more cheaply with an iPhone 4 or an Android phone.

TravelingTrader · Post by **TravelingTrader** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:05 pm

Own a Android phone which I use to check news, stock quotes and traveler apps. It replaced a navigation device, a MP3 player, a mobile gaming device, my digi-cam and my alarm clock.

When traveling I tether internet over WIFI to my laptop.

It´s like a leatherman when leaving my place.
The only option i´ve pay for is a data flat at 8,50€. The service charge is free - but the expenses for calls are higher.

I dont call people often, so the average bill is between 10€-15€ per month. So no plan is necessary.
The VOIP thing you are talkin about sounds interesting. Will check this too.

rcamp · Post by **rcamp** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:22 am

So something I didn't see explored was :
>> Unfortunately, my job requires me to have a phone of some sort.
So, before discussing cheap cell phones/plans :
Does your employer expect to be able to reach you during business hours, non business hours etc ?
For business hours, a desk phone is the easy answer.
For non business hours - my next question would be : what are their plans for reimbursement of cell phone costs ?
If they lowball and say ( I've seen this discussion with my employer ) in this day and age everyone has a cell phone, so reimbursement should be eliminated except for critical, high profile users: Here's my ( google voice ) number, and set it to Do Not Disturb.
If they don't lowball and have some rational compensation for cell phones - pick the phone/plan that fits what you and your Boss agree on.
In my case - I'm on Virgin, both wife and I grandfathered in on the $25 plan. However, Boss decided on this grossly erratic " only reimbursing part of data plan " - even though he ( and other employees call/text etc ) me. The Nerve.
So, in my case, I use an app on Android to block all work # prefixes, and everyone in my management chain. People who I >really< enjoy working with can get to me live. Everyone else can leave a message for GV to transcribe, and email me.
It may appear .. harsh .. but if I'm slow to reply, the world is unaffected.
I'm also saving $130/m as a result of ditching the iPhone & painful ATT plan.

dot_com_vet · Post by **dot_com_vet** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:37 am

We've had good luck with tracfone prepaid for years.

riparian · Post by **riparian** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:40 am

If you know someone in good standing with AT&T it costs them $10/m to add you to their plan. Give them $120 up front for the year. Problem solved.

funkju · Post by **funkju** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:57 pm

With the new iOS5 for the iPhones/iPod touch. If most of your friends/family have iPhones like my circle- then I can send them them text messages for free using iMessages.
That's what I do.
Justin

----

www.erecalculator.com

LiquidSapphire · Post by **LiquidSapphire** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:03 am

Page Plus just announced that on 20 December they will go live with a prepaid no contract plan of $12/month for 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 10mb of data. there is probably $1/tax each month, would be my guess based on experience with other plans. Sounds awesome to me, intend to switch ASAP. Activation/Porting was not smooth but I'm not sure who to blame for that, could just as well be the fault of my former carrier. Since porting things have been smooth sailing.

Ego · Post by **Ego** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 2:42 am

I use Google Voice to forward calls to my Tracfone when away or my employer provided landline when home/office.
I just bought a new Tracfone through (can't believe I'm admitting this) HSN for $89.95 shipped, 1200 minutes for 14 months. I will never use 1200 minutes since it is only for emergencies.
That comes to $6.41 per month.

MacGyverIt · Post by **MacGyverIt** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:23 pm

Over a year ago I dropped my AT&T prepaid and went with Tracfone (http://www.tracfone.com/), it's a much cheaper alternative. Note that some Tracfone phones offer "double minutes for life". I purchased a double minutes for life phone and yes, all my subsequent minutes purchased have been immediately doubled. I think I've refilled my cell phone's minutes two or three times since 2009.
I only use the cell phone for receiving texts and calls or when out and about, when home I make calls and send texts from Skype via my laptop as it's even more cost effective than Tracfone.

JohnnyH · Post by **JohnnyH** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:34 pm

Since last July I've only used $36 on PagePlus standard plan... GrooveIP wifi calls and GoogleVoice for texts... Tasker shuts my wifi on and off based on my location (home/work). If there is no wifi, then calls and texts forwarded through my GV number.
Phone was an essentially new Droid Incredible for $60... About $7 and month for service, only caveat being can't stream media, download apps or browse heavily when not on a wifi.

Mirwen · Post by **Mirwen** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:43 am

I just bought an Obi100 and a cordless phone so I could use my google voice number for free at home without any monthly cost. I'm going to port my husbands cell phone number to GV once his plan ends in early February.
I always feel like I'm missing something when people tell me to use GV for free. Don't you have to forward to another number? So you are paying for another service that that number forwards to. The only way I've found to use GV free is to use the Obi device. Is there some other way to use it?

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:54 am

Google Voice will still do outgoing calls and incoming voice mail without a forwarding number. The only missing functionality is picking up an incoming call.
This is sufficient for my usage patterns. For a planned conversation with another tech-head, we do an audio GChat. If the other person uses a conventional phone I make an outgoing Google Voice call. Unplanned incoming calls only seem to come from businesses and telemarketers and I'm happy for them to get forwarded directly to voice mail.

BW · Post by BW » Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:12 am

I use google voice with the new pageplus plan liquidsapphire mentioned that I just switched to - 250 mins/250 texts for $12 per month plus you can add on cheap calling cards if you need it. It looks like it's only a flat $12 per month, no tax.
I bought a brand new $150 htc incredible 2 on craiglist to use with the plan too and think it's worth the cost being a small kindle with free gps.

R · Post by R » Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:22 pm

I think using Google Voice is a great option, but personally would just go with a $10-ish phone (Net10 or TracFone) from WalMart. These two seem nice:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/TracFone-Sams ... e/15128229
http://www.walmart.com/ip/NET10-LG-320- ... t/15125980
You can buy a $100 fill up card to go with it, and that extends your service for a year as well as giving you something like 400 minutes. With the TracFone, the kit comes with "double minutes" so you essentially get 800 minutes and a year added to your phone.
Total would be around $115 up front, or approximately $10 a month. Not too shabby, especially if all you need is the bare minimum.

karim · Post by **karim** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:47 pm

PagePlus looks like a great deal.
@JohnnyH: Tasker is awesome and I'm starting to use it now. For text messages do you only use GV? If so, then it looks like you have to be on Wifi, otherwise you can't send GV texts.
I also think Virgin Mobile has a great deal. $35/month for 250 minutes/unlimited data/unlimited texts

JohnnyH · Post by **JohnnyH** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:55 am

@KevinW: GV forwards to both my phone and a GMail tab open on my PC (free)... With GrooveIP app, any Android device on a wifi.
@karim: I use GV texts for everything except the absolutely rare occasion when I send/receive a pic message and email/file sharing can't be used.
If I'm not on a wifi there are txt solutions.

*For my top contacts I know their GV 406 number (saved from previous text forwardings). This will go to GV and the receiver will see my GV number.

*I can either say "Hey this is Johnny" or turn my data on momentarily to access GV app... With droidwall (only certain apps are allowed to access data) the data usage is very minimal.

*There is supposedly a Tasker plug-in that can change your GV text forwarding based on location (or whatever).
I really need to figure out an automated way to turn GV txt forwarding on based on either time or location... Maybe work on that this weekend since I am snowed in

rjack · Post by **rjack** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:28 pm

You may want to look at Rupublic Wireless:
http://republicwireless.com/
They charge $19 per month for an unlimited smartphone plan. There are two catches:
1) The plan is a closed beta right now, but it is supposed to be generally available this summer.
2) You have to have wifi in your house because the phone automatically uses wifi whenever possible. That is why the plan is cheap.

George the original one · Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:36 am

We needed a cheap phone option for the additional house. Since it's to be a rental, a cell phone is the most flexible option.
The house is too distant for most cellular coverage, so only the Verizon network is an option. So... the $12/mo PagePlus plan is what I signed on for.

Zoombies · Post by **Zoombies** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:15 pm

ok.... seems no one has discussed this option.
-Get a used iphone on ebay or whereever (possible on androids too)
-Sign up for google voice (it IS possible to get your landline number moved to GV, but you have to get it switched to another phone first, like a prepaid)
-install the talkatone app for iphone (it is available for droids but is buggy) Also there are other apps similar to this. The free version of this app is all you need though
-jailbreak the iphone and with cydia on hand download the Wififofum app. (look up cydia on net for newest jailbreak instructions)
-Use Wififofum to map out and keep track of wifi nets. in your area
-make/receive phone calls/texts through talkatone anywhere you get wifi. If your somewhere with no wifi, GV will transcribe any messages.
There, you have a no-service, free to operate phone, which is not as convenient as cellular, but is better than back in the day when there were payphones. I have been using this method successfully for a few months now, still have landline, but it's on its way out. This really is pretty easy, many places you go have free wifi, there are many open networks out there and of course if you keep the net at home, you got it there too.

George the other one · Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:13 am

@Zoombies I agree completely. I currently have this set up on my iPhone to see if I can theoretically pull off a cellphone with no cell plan situation. It has worked so far on a limited basis. However, the phone is a company phone so I still take most calls through the cellular reception. Plus I have found talk-a-tone to be slightly buggy at times.