https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 22:12:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2419768 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 08:32:08 +0000 Veggiemama 2419768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Finfan: yes! We were able to transfer our phone numbers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2419697 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 07:10:50 +0000 Adira 2419697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Periwinkle: Yeah, their go phone plans are pretty good as long as you're okay not having an iphone or a samsung. I have the ZTE Maven, which is their cheapest smart phone at only $40, but it's an android, so I can still do everything I want to. The camera isn't great, but I tend to use my dSLR more anyway. Their new lease pricing probably makes more sense the more people you have a line though, so once you get up to 3+ people, the go phone plans might not be saving you much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2419568 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:51:31 +0000 Finfan 2419568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Veggiemama: Can you keep your same number with Ting? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2419427 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:03:08 +0000 Periwinkle 2419427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: that's an awesome deal! I hadn't looked too much into that kind of plan. I like that they offer unlimited data. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2418516 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:15:50 +0000 Adira 2418516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you looked into AT&amp;T's go phone plans? $45/month for unlimited talk, text, and data. You just won't be able to get an iphone/samsung/whatever's popular phone. But the most expensive phone is similar to the iphone/samsungs and is only $130. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2418507 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:09:37 +0000 Periwinkle 2418507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: That's exactly where I was. We got the letter about the $5 increase and that, on top of all of the other random $4.99 charges on our bill (who knew) I was finished. In the end, I was using about 3gb a month which does not justify unlimited. And I was paying for it too. </p> <p>Good luck with finding a new plan/phone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2417773 Mon, 11 Jan 2016 20:41:10 +0000 PurplePeony 2417773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ooh, I'm in the same predicament. I just got a notice that my old AT&amp;T unlimited plan is going up $5/month and I think that is going to tip me into switching. I'm not sure how much data I actually use, though, since I have a work phone that I browse on a lot and I haven't been using my personal phone much because I shattered the screen. Trying to run the numbers on a new phone and plan is daunting, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2417743 Mon, 11 Jan 2016 20:24:17 +0000 Periwinkle 2417743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you to everyone for your awesome suggestions and for helping me to see that there are more options out there! </p> <p>@yin: It's so hard to think about losing an unlimited plan. I know I don't really need it (seriously!) but it's like a security blanket I wasn't sure about giving up! Thanks so much for the article about carriers and for letting me know more about Ting. I had never heard of it before.</p> <p>@sleepybear: It's so funny... I called our carrier again and found a funny thing... with both my husband and I getting new phones (he can transition his current old-fashioned contract over to one of the newer ones), we will save some money on the overall plan. Glad it's not all less for more.</p> <p>@Veggiemama: That is an amazing price! I am so looking there now! </p> <p>@Meow: This is where I have been stuck for so long. Like, I am mostly on wi-fi and don't watch a ton of videos so my data usage is actually quite low, but there was something about the "what if I need it!" scenario that was holding me back from getting rid of it. I played with the numbers and it makes much more sense for us to be on a lower data plan than we were.</p> <p>@Radish: That's awesome... I had not heard of Project Fi and will look into it.</p> <p>@Mrs.KMM: We've considered doing this with my in-laws as they own a large business and have many of their employees on their plan, but haven't thought more about this lately. Perhaps we will look into this. That's a great deal you have!</p> <p>@sunny: It's amazing how many phones there are out there on the secondary market. I am fortunate to have a phone that still works well for the moment and may consider doing this if the price is right.</p> <p>@hitchhiker: Yup re AT&amp;T. The. Worst. Although, I finally reached a great customer service rep today and she really helped me to see the savings/cost of the new plans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2416373 Mon, 11 Jan 2016 06:38:14 +0000 hitchhiker 2416373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also on project Fi. I was hesitant to give up my iphone, but I actually like the Nexus a lot. Even with the phone purchase (I got the more expensive phone), I am saving about $30/month. I was so over AT&amp;T! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2416304 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 23:17:50 +0000 sunny 2416304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just researched this and found that if your data needs are between 0-3 GB per month, there are a bunch of cheap options (e.g. Google Fi, Ting, TMobile, ATT, a few other discount carriers) and you must buy a phone outright or use a payment plan to pay for it. You can buy a phone on the secondary market (e.g. Ebay, Craig's List, etc) and use it on that carrier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2416293 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 22:56:47 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2416293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on a family plan with Verizon. I get a new phone every 2 years at a discounted rate.</p> <p>I honestly don't know the details of the minutes/data/etc because my parents control the plan and my brother, sister, and I each pay $50 a month to them for our portions. It is cheaper than getting a plan by myself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2416117 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 20:18:31 +0000 Radish 2416117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on Project Fi. You don't pay for unused data on it. We are paying off our phones through our plan. It's only google phone, but I prefer them so that's a non-issue for me. Also, is individual plans and you aren't locked into a contract term. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2416098 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 19:54:20 +0000 Meow 2416098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Periwinkle: I also had the grandfathered unlimited data with Verizon for years and was so reluctant to let it go. Finally I walked into a store and had a rep explain to me thoroughly all the math of switching to different plans. I was definitely skeptical of the new contract-less plans but we did the cost comparison for every plan and the math made sense. Plus the rep was able to show my history that I NEVER spent more than a few gigs a months so the unlimited data was pointless for me. I ended up getting the edge plan (no contract, you pay a monthly fee for your phone) and it was cheaper in the long run than renewing a contract and paying a discounted fee up front due to the discount you receive from not being under a contract. So I'd highly encourage you to go speak with someone in person esp if you're a visual learner like I am. Lastly, I've always been happy with Verizon's customer service (admittedly surprising for such a big company) and have been with them for over 10 years with no plans to switch. Don't forget to mention your employer, you may be eligible for 15-20% off your monthly bill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2416092 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 19:50:26 +0000 Veggiemama 2416092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We switched to Ting, it is awesome! You only pay for what you use. We did have to buy new phones outright but we were overdue (my phone was 5 years old) and with the lower bills they will pay for themselves in about 6-8 months. Our bill is $30-50/ month for 2 IPhones. </p> <p>We switched because when we looked into getting new phones I didn't like paying per month for the phone and our bill was going to increase for a worse plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2416014 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 18:25:07 +0000 sleepybear 2416014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a new phone a few months ago and we decided to do the leasing - and our bill actually dropped about $10 a month. I was hesitant since I feel like companies are trying to favor people who regularly update phones (I was using my 4 year old iPhone4, which my husband now has) but I've been happy so far. Plus when I've had it for 2 years the monthly 'phone payment' fee goes away, as I will have paid it off.</p> <p>As far as data, we lost the unlimited data when I got married and transferred over to my husband's plan. I was nervous, but we're on one of the lowest data plans and rarely even come close to needing it. There's so many places that offer free wifi and I'm always connected at home, when I'm most likely to be surfing the web. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2415989 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:56:38 +0000 yin 2415989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in a grandfathered plan with Sprint using the Sero plan. I pay $50 + tax and fees for unlimited data, unlimited text, and 450 minutes with free nights starting at 7 and weekends. I have an iPhone. If I had a different smart phone, my plan would have only been $40. I get a new phone every 2 years with renewal of contract at a subsidized cost. </p> <p>I did the math with my friend who wanted to upgrade to a new phone with AT&amp;T. It was cheaper for her to lease the phone and pay the monthly fee since her plan was discounted for not being in a contract. I really dislike the idea of leasing a phone, but that's the trend for most companies. By the time I upgrade, I might be in the same situation. </p> <p>There are also lesser known carriers like Ting Mobile that Mrs. High Heels wrote a review for a while back. The only down side is that you have to pay full price for a phone, but you can always buy used phones for much less than retail. Here is a list of other carriers, but I don't have any experience with them.</p> <p><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2878298/10-alternative-carriers-that-can-save-you-serious-cash-on-your-smartphone-bill.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.pcworld.com/article/2878298/10-alternative-carriers-that-can-save-you-serious-cash-on-your-smartphone-bill.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2014/01/17/a-ting-review-saving-100-on-our-cellphone-bill/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2014/01/17/a-ting-review-saving-100-on-our-cellphone-bill/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frustrated-with-cell-phone-provider-suggestions-please#post-2415947 Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:04:07 +0000 Periwinkle 2415947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have just about has it with our cell phone provider and all of the details that surround having a mobile phone. After doing some research this weekend to possibly upgrade my iPhone and also to look into other carriers, I'm at my wits end with these companies.</p> <p>Here's the deal: We have been with our provider for a number of years (corporate discount) and have been happy enough (although their customer service is generally awful). I got used to getting a new phone every 2-3 years through the Apple store and just accepted our high bill for what it was.</p> <p>Many of the cell phone providers have changed their pricing models and have taken away the option of buying a phone, at the end of a contract, for a subsidized cost. Now, to get a new phone, it seems like you must 1) buy it outright or 2) "lease" if through the cell phone provider for a monthly fee. Granted, when you take this route, the phone services are discounted further, but I am not sure the best option for us.</p> <p>At present, my line has unlimited data and to make a move to one of these other plans with a new phone built in, I would have to forfeit my unicorn of a plan. In all honesty, I have no need for unlimited (or do I????) as don't come close to using that amount of data but I am still scared to give it up, especially as this new plan would cost around what we're paying now. </p> <p>So, please tell me more about your cell phone plan/how you buy your phone(s). Do you buy a phone outright and then just work with your provider for the service? Or do you "lease" your phone? After chatting with some friends, I am also realizing that we may be paying way, way too much and I am curious if there are any alternatives out there. </p>