Eliminate Cell Phone Monthly Charges Even With a Data Plan
Cell phone expenses can be a significant part of one's budget. The approach described in this article will allow you to reduce your monthly bill to zero and only pay for calls for as cheaply as $0.10/minute. If you like to use data, this approach can reduce your data charges to zero, too, if you use only WiFi as your "data plan" or at least to $15/month or $2.00 for days that you actually need a carrier data plan instead of using WiFi.
Steps
- Assess your cell phone usage. Look at your current phone bill and to see how you're using your phone. How many minutes do you use a month? Are you a big texter? Do you need a larger data plan or would you be fine with a smaller plan or even no plan at all.
- Find the plan that's right for you. Once you know your usage needs, you're ready to find a plan. There are many different carriers but the key is to find the one with the plan that meets your needs. Popular prepaid service providers include Straight Talk, Cricket Wireless, Tracfone Wireless, and Simple Mobile. Some traditionally with-contract service providers such as AT&T and T-Mobile also have prepaid options.
- Research available plans. Some things to keep in mind when weighing your options:
- Does this plan meet my needs, and if so, is it cost effective? You might save more in the long run going with an unlimited prepaid plan. Or if you're a light user, find a plan without bells and whistles so you can stop paying for the features you don't use.
- Can you keep your phone? For example, Straight Talk has a "Bring Your Own Phone" plan where you can keep your phone (and number). Buying a new phone can be costly. If you're happy with your phone (and it's GSM or otherwise compatible), try to find a plan where you can keep it.
- Is there coverage in your area? Do they have voice and data roaming, and if so, what are the associated costs? For example, if you're a big data user it might make a difference for you that T-Mobile does not allow data roaming for pay-as-you-go plans.
- Purchase a phone. If you were able to find a plan like Straight Talk's "Bring Your Own Phone" you can skip this step. Otherwise, you have a number of options but keep in mind that the costs of buying a new, unlocked and out-of contract phone can be high, particularly for smartphones.
- Get a phone directly from the carrier. This is probably the easiest and surest way to get a phone because you know the phone will work and be covered with your chosen contract.
- Find a phone that is out-of-contract from a friend. When people upgrade their phone, the old one usually becomes an orphan.
- Browse eBay. Search for 'cell phones, no or unknown contract' to limit responses to phones that are suitable.
- Check out Craig's List. As always, be cautious when making a purchase from an unknown seller.
- Buy a SIM card. If you didn't get your new phone from the carrier or you're bringing your current phone from another plan, you're going to need a SIM card. A phone that is out-of-contract will probably still be locked to a particular carrier. In order to get your phone to work on your new carrier, you must purchase a SIM card specific to that carrier. If the phone is unlocked, then a SIM card for you chosen carrier will work regardless of the "branding" may be on the phone. Similar to the purchase of your phone, you can get the SIM card directly from your chosen carrier or from non-brand retailer.
- Activate your SIM card. To activate your SIM card and phone, insert the SIM card into your phone. This is usually done by removing the battery to expose the SIM card slot. The SIM card will only go into the slot in one way -- there is usually a picture of the card being inserted to show which side goes "up" and what the orientation is. If you have problems, you can usually find a manual on-line if one did not come with the phone. Another option is to go to a local Radio Shack, AT&T, Walmart or T-Mobile store and ask for help.
- Activate your phone. Once the SIM card is in the phone (and it is charged), you can activate the phone online or by calling your carrier. If you want to keep your existing phone number, the process is a bit complicated. Check with you carrier about the specifics but generally it will be as follows:
- You first activate your "new" phone with the carrier-supplied number.
- Then the old number is assigned to your "new" phone. (This may require having a PIN number for your old carrier.)
- Enjoy your new no contract, pay-as-you-go phone experience! Congratulate yourself on having saved money with the phone and plan that's right for you.
Tips
- Several carriers are now offering phones without contracts. These phones are often very reasonably priced unless you want the absolute top-of-the-line model. If available, a Nexus 4 is a great option.
- "Old" phones are often excellent choices. Almost by definition, you will be getting a phone at least two years old since most contracts are that term. Many such phones are perfectly serviceable even if "obsolete." The Google G1, for instance, has almost all the features of the G2 but could be found for less than $100 while a G2 was $200 to $500. Similar deals may apply to iPhones, etc. Sometimes the phones can be updated to almost as "new" as later versions if you want to explore rooting.
- Unlocking. New phones are typically locked to a particular carrier during the initial contract period. Carriers will (generally) unlock the phone (give you a code to enter as a phone number) for free after the contract period expires. If you are getting a phone from a friend, try to have them unlock the phone before the transfer. If you are currently an AT&T or T-Mobile customer whose phone is out-of-contract, simply ask for the unlock code. If you are buying a phone on eBay or Craig's List, look for an unlocked phone.
- I just replaced my G1 with a used HTC Desire HD (aka AT&T Integra 4g) that is simply fantastic. It was rooted when I got it. I can highly recommend it as an option -- basically, look for phones a year or two old that were pretty top-of-the-line at the time.
- By limiting data usage from your carrier, it is possible to easily live with 200mb/month or less from your carrier and still have most of the options of connectivity such as maps, traffic, and weather.
- AT&T has a no-data plan that is strictly pay-by-the-minute/text. The problem with that plan is that you have no data options other than WiFi. You can purchase a minimal ($25/month) plan from AT&T that comes with 50mb/month for $5 extra. They removed the option to purchase data in large amounts and carry forward unused amounts. Other plans are generally better.
- Rooting. Phones in the US are usually protected by the carrier so that they cannot be updated or applications installed unless approved by the carrier. If you want to be able to do things on your phone that are blocked by the carrier (install the latest, greatest, version of the operating system, install any app, etc.), then either look for a "rooted" phone or find out how to "root" you phone (search on Google -- you will find tons of information). Be warned, rooting can cause problems including killing your phone at the worst or forcing you to install updates manually instead of allowing the carrier to install updates.
- Consumer Cellular is an AT&T reseller and offers plans starting at $15/month (cheaper if you have AARP) with something like 150 minutes and 100 messages. Data options are available -- for instance 200mb/month is $10 extra.
- Android phones are excellent choices for this approach if you want data options. The same options are available with Apple, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry phones.
Warnings
Things You'll Need
- GSM or other compatible Cell Phone
- SIM Card
Related Articles
- Keep Your Straight Talk Service Active
