Do you think I am wrong?

[Muushka]

I am working with near homeless families. I notice that they have cell phone plans that cost upwards of $140.00 a month.

These families will be taken care of by our program, but they must be responsible and save money so that they will not be in this position again. They learn to budget through weekly meetings dealing with their personal finances.

Do you think I am being unreasonable to ask these people to give up these expensive cell plans? Do you think it is cruel to make a parent take the cell away from their children also on the plan?

I realize that there will be a breaking contract fee, but it is much cheaper than paying $140 a month, IMHO. I am looking into these cell companies willingness to allow them to get onto a cheaper plan and not pay the fee.

I am extremely frugal and might be skewed on this subject. Thanks!

 

[KirstenB]

If they're homeless or close to it, and are job-seeking, wouldn't they need some type of cel phone? I mean it could be super cheap, but if there's no permanent address, wouldn't they need some type of communication?

To answer you, no I don't think you're wrong. It sounds like you want them out of an expensive phone plan, which makes sense.

 

[luvsJack]

It all depends, I would think that they would need to give up all of their phones except one; unless they have a land line.

It may also depend on their employement. DH is required to have a cell phone for his job. The company pays a certain amount of the bill but it doesn't cover all of it.

 

[dawson5]

my mom does this, it's one of her jobs. She works with families and basically if they don't try to help themselves, they document everything and if there is a pattern of non-help, they stop helping. Unless it's the only way to contact the home, a child having a cell is a luxury. You can get a basic home phone plan for $15/mo., that is a lot less than a cell phone plan for a child at home.

Good luck, it is a very hard job and very heart-breaking.

 

[Muushka]

These people are near-homeless, not living on the street. And they must be employed to come into the program. The program supplies a phone for them (land line). I agree, a cell is nice in that when they leave, they will still have the same number and will have it for emergencies. My plan costs $5 a month. I wish I had a better plan, but choose not to spend that kind of money. That is why I wonder if I am crazy!

 

[mster425]

I agree that cell phones are necessary to get jobs if there is no landline. Also, if they are homeless or near homeless, how do the children get in touch with their parents without cell phones?

$140/month seems excessive. It's very nice of you to help them negotiate better deals with their phone companies!

ETA: Just read OP response and agree with you. Heck I don't even HAVE a monthly cell bill. I have a landline and a work phone that I can use in an emergency. If I didn't have the work phone I'd get a prepaid junker. And I am in my twenties. So no I don't think you're wrong

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I don't have an answer for your bt I can understand the frustration. I was behind a young couple at the grocery store. They had a baby in their cart that was in an obviously and old car seat and they were paying for their groceries with the food stamp card. I never pay much attention to people ahead of me but the cashier asked if the card was visa or debit and she said it was EBT (is that the right word?). The young man was chatting on one of those blackberry whatever phones and then the girl's phone rang and she had one of those nice phones as well. I did upset me even though it wasn't any of my business. I mean sure those phones have some good deals but when you are buying your food with food stamps and your kid is in an ancient car seat a 9.95 tracphone with 30 emergency minutes is enough.

 

[singnring]

Believe it or not, people don't actually "need" cell phones!!

We all survived for eons without them.

THey are a convenience.

A landline would be much cheaper for them, or even a trac phone with limited minutes, to be used for emergencies only.

Children most certainly do not "need" cell phones.

If they are near homeless, it seems to me that common sense would dictate getting rid of such a luxury.

I see no reason why anyone would consider you unreasonable to expect them to dump the phones in order to continue receiving help.

 

[momejay]

In our area, I have seen ads for free cell phone service for those that really need a phone for emergencies. (those that qualify for food stamps, the elderly & such) I think they give 200 free anywhere minutes per month.

No one should be paying that much per month for a phone when they are homeless! My only other question would be is the phone work related or just recreational?

IMO...The children should be paying for their own phone. It isn't a necessity. My DDs both age 16 pay for their own prepaid phones. If they do their chores, I buy them a $25 gift card for their phone about once a month.

You can't eat a cell phone! You can't live in one! You could possibly rent a room with the $140 a month. I say get rid of the phone.

 

[Muushka]

my mom does this, it's one of her jobs. She works with families and basically if they don't try to help themselves, they document everything and if there is a pattern of non-help, they stop helping. Unless it's the only way to contact the home, a child having a cell is a luxury. You can get a basic home phone plan for $15/mo., that is a lot less than a cell phone plan for a child at home.

Good luck, it is a very hard job and very heart-breaking.

Your mom sounds like she runs into families similar to mine. This is actually a volunteer position. Lately I find it more irritating than heart-breaking. I can see a lifelong pattern of bad choices, and it is frustrating. And giving these expensive cells to their kids is just passing those bad choices down to the next generation.

 

[runwad]

Heck no you are not wrong!! The can get some kind of free cell phone from the gov't with 60 min a month. Tell them to look into that. I don't really know much about it but have read that somewhere. Cell phones are not a necessity especially for kids! Heck they can even get a prepaid cell for a lot cheaper then 140/mo. Thing is they have to retrain themselves to only use cells for emergencies and stick to the free land line your agency provides them.

 

[Muushka]

Believe it or not, people don't actually "need" cell phones!!

We all survived for eons without them.

THey are a convenience.

A landline would be much cheaper for them, or even a trac phone with limited minutes, to be used for emergencies only.

Children most certainly do not "need" cell phones.

If they are near homeless, it seems to me that common sense would dictate getting rid of such a luxury.

I see no reason why anyone would consider you unreasonable to expect them to dump the phones in order to continue receiving help.

I am going to go to the program director and ask about making the surrender of these expensive plans prior to getting into the program mandatory. I just wanted to get some feedback before I brought it up.

And yes, a cell is not a necessity! I agree 100%

 

[crazelion]

I would like know what service cell phone you that is 5.oo dollars a month. So I can get that kind of cell phone.

 

[runwad]

I am going to go to the program director and ask about making the surrender of these expensive plans prior to getting into the program mandatory. I just wanted to get some feedback before I brought it up.

And yes, a cell is not a necessity! I agree 100%

Good for you!! We have some volunteer opportunities like this in my community. I always thought when the kids got older I"d volunteer but I think I would get frustrated too when people just don't get it!

 

[Muushka]

I don't have an answer for your bt I can understand the frustration. I was behind a young couple at the grocery store. They had a baby in their cart that was in an obviously and old car seat and they were paying for their groceries with the food stamp card. I never pay much attention to people ahead of me but the cashier asked if the card was visa or debit and she said it was EBT (is that the right word?). The young man was chatting on one of those blackberry whatever phones and then the girl's phone rang and she had one of those nice phones as well. I did upset me even though it wasn't any of my business. I mean sure those phones have some good deals but when you are buying your food with food stamps and your kid is in an ancient car seat a 9.95 tracphone with 30 emergency minutes is enough.

It is your business. And mine. Our taxes are paying for the food stamps.

 

[Muushka]

I would like know what service cell phone you that is 5.oo dollars a month. So I can get that kind of cell phone.

Virgin prepaid. $15 every 3 months. 18 cents a minute, $5 worth a month. Check out the website. My husband's cell is 25 cents a month (Altell). We have to make 1 call a month to keep it active. 1 call costs 25 cents. It truly is a cell for emergencies. And we rarely have an emergency.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

I am working with near homeless families. I notice that they have cell phone plans that cost upwards of $140.00 a month.

These families will be taken care of by our program, but they must be responsible and save money so that they will not be in this position again. They learn to budget through weekly meetings dealing with their personal finances.

Do you think I am being unreasonable to ask these people to give up these expensive cell plans? Do you think it is cruel to make a parent take the cell away from their children also on the plan?

I realize that there will be a breaking contract fee, but it is much cheaper than paying $140 a month, IMHO. I am looking into these cell companies willingness to allow them to get onto a cheaper plan and not pay the fee.

I am extremely frugal and might be skewed on this subject. Thanks!

How many cell phones do they have on their plan? Many times to cancel a contract it is $$$ per line, not just one contract cancelation fee. It would probably be cheaper to downgrade their existing cell phone plan.

 

[dawson5]

Your mom sounds like she runs into families similar to mine. This is actually a volunteer position. Lately I find it more irritating than heart-breaking. I can see a lifelong pattern of bad choices, and it is frustrating. And giving these expensive cells to their kids is just passing those bad choices down to the next generation.

She's seen both sides of it too. I am thankful she does this though. There are people who both want and need the help and she's opened my eyes that not everyone is out to scam the system. She's seen the lifers too, the ones that are second or third generation in the welfare system and teaching their children how to do the same as them.

She started off as part-time through catholic charities and now does full-time. It also opened her eyes to finishing her degree and this is what she wants to do. At 66, she's finally figured out what she wants to do with her life!

 

[Muushka]

How many cell phones do they have on their plan? Many times to cancel a contract it is $$$ per line, not just one contract cancelation fee. It would probably be cheaper to downgrade their existing cell phone plan.

Oh no! They have 2 phones on the family plan. She said it would be $275 if canceled prior to the contract being up. But I think it is pro-rated and they are 1 year into the contract. I need to get my ducks in a row before I go and make my suggestion!

She's seen both sides of it too. I am thankful she does this though. There are people who both want and need the help and she's opened my eyes that not everyone is out to scam the system. She's seen the lifers too, the ones that are second or third generation in the welfare system and teaching their children how to do the same as them.

She started off as part-time through catholic charities and now does full-time. It also opened her eyes to finishing her degree and this is what she wants to do. At 66, she's finally figured out what she wants to do with her life!

Yes, I have seen the other side of it too. When the light clicks on and they get it!

Good for your mom. That is very cool.

 

[dawson5]

I thought they have the cancellations on a sliding scale now? Or are they just talking about it?

Possibly like one of the PP's mentioned, downgrading the service instead of canceling it might make more economical sense. Also if they are working, sometimes the company gives a break if they are working for a partner company. We get a 23% discount through Sprint because my husband works at a dealership that sells Fords (and other makes too, but it is because of Ford). Maybe there might be something available like that to help lessen the burden?


I love my mom but she just makes me laugh, she's been going to school since before I was born. Just takes classes she's interested in. Now she decides to finish when it's just about time to retire. Still makes me giggle.