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Across the Fence:  What's the best and cheapest cell?  |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
 Posted - May 19 2008 : 1:05:51 PM
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| I can't afford a normal cellphone plan (one monthly phone bill is all I can handle, thanks!) But it's getting harder and harder to find payphones when I travel. I'm looking for something very cheap that can carry around when I'm driving and use to call for directions, reservations, emergencies, meeting people in unfamiliar places. Basically, like a prepaid calling card that can make it's own calls. Any suggestions? We don't need anything flashy or high tech. But good network availability all over the country is important. |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 6:57:53 PM
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A girl I know mentioned something called a go phone, which I think is prepaid. I have seen commercials for the older folks phone with big buttons, the Cricut, that state they have plans for as low as $20/mo, which I think is cheaper than prepaid.
Trish
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war!
FREE TIBET! |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 7:11:35 PM
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My mother in law has an older phone that she got for the same purpose I'm talking about. I think it's Virgin. But when we went on a trip with her, it got no coverage. We couldn't use it anywhere outside a major city. I'm sure that's the kind of thing they don't tell you in the terms and conditions!
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 8:08:37 PM
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what's the cheapest cell??
air conditioned,3 meals a day delivered,cable t.v. payed for by tax payers money measuring 8 ft by 8 ft with access to a work out room..free but..no chance of parole anytime soon.
ooops sorry..you meant cell phone..hee hee.(sorry I know....weird sense of humor) LOL
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
Edited by - Tina Michelle on May 19 2008 8:09:35 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 8:30:10 PM
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We use a "TracPhone" when we need a cell. True- It is "roaming" most of the time so you'll want to only make short calls. But it doesn't roam in your "home" area- so around Moscow I get pretty good rates. The cards do expire after about 6 months so keep that in mind before buying a ton of minutes as well.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 8:56:06 PM
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I use a tracfone. I only use about 30 min a month so it works great for me...way cheap to buy the phone (Walmart has them) and the minutes can be bought there or online. They have a website at www.tracfone.com and send specials all the time too. It is the only type of cell phone I have had and don't plan to change that until my kids are much older and need phones. (our rule is 16 and working and then they can have cell phones) for now it works great for me and is really cheap. My first phone lasted 5 years..my kids were embarrassed by it..apparently it was "big". Now it is a cute little flip phone..still cheap.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 12:49:05 AM
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we've used the tracfone There were a few times that we weren't able to get coverage, but it workspretty good for most areas though.sorry about my previous post/was just funnning/hope it didn't offend.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 03:10:34 AM
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My son uses a Tracfone and I am going to get one too. The initial cost of the phone can be very low if you want a basic model ($20?) I bought him a 'double minutes' card for $50. It does not add minutes but once activated, any minutes you buy after that are doubled. So, you get 120 minutes for the price of 60. The initial $50 was really worth it. Also, you can check your voice mail on your Tracfone from a land-line anywhere so that you do not use up your Tracfone minutes checking your voicemail.
At first we had reservations but are totally sold!
Angie
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 03:27:12 AM
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LOL Tina Michelle....I was confused for a minute and thought you were on the wrong topic site..
LOL funny girl! Our local "cells" charge $5 a minute....that's prisoners-try not to go there! LOL
****************
"NEVER underestimate the power of a woman."
farmgirl #71 Linda in PA |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 05:51:58 AM
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Tina, if I find myself in that sort of cell, I'll call you to bail me out!
But the Tracfone is sounding good to me. Thanks for the advice! |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 08:17:42 AM
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I have a ATT goPhone I really like it and get good service in my area and if you use the minimum minutes and keep it activated for the year it only costs around $8.33 per month/$100 year.
Before this I had a Virgin Mobile phone, it was ok but the service was not very good in my area. I think it works better in more metro/city areas.
You might check around and see which phone service has best service in your area (ATT, Verizon, etc.) Most of these providers have similiar pay-as-you-go phones.
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 08:23:40 AM
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| OK, I looked online at both the Tracfone and Gophone. It looks as though the Tracfone can't make or receive calls when you are physically outside the US (you can call long distance from the US). That's not so good for me, as I'm likely to go into Canada when I'm traveling. I think the Gophone will work in Canada (although at long distance rates) but I'm not sure about coverage in specific areas. I'm going to go to an ATT store and see if I can find out more details on the Gophone. |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 11:06:54 AM
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I have to tell you that my "plan" (with paying upfront for the $50 phone and $35 to activate new plan) total costs me over a hundred a month!  I can get some email on it but if I go over limit then it costs another $50. I decided to pay an extra $35 a month to get email unlimited and I use that more than calls. I can read local mail with pictures, weather anywhere, car prices, all the movie titles and times from any location thru search. So I love the internet accesss on phone. Yes, that's alot and committed for 2 years.
I only have 450 minutes a month or I'm over limit there. I have AT&T.
There are so many hidden fees that the companies don't show unless you ask.  I have had cell phone plans for many years and I study the other companies and they are all the same as far as cost.
The pre-pay sounds like a great thing! 
****************
"NEVER underestimate the power of a woman."
farmgirl #71 Linda in PA |
Edited by - yarnmamma on May 20 2008 11:24:59 AM |
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quilt8305
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Mary
Spokane
WA
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2008 : 11:30:41 AM
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Check out ConsumerCellular.com. It is a company that provides cellular service with no contract. I have a plan that gives me a free flip phone and 100 minutes for less than $30/month. I have been with them for several years with no problems.
Mary
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein
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Across the Fence: What's the best and cheapest cell? |
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What's the best and cheapest cell?
