Need help with budget way to check email w/o wifi

[StephMK]

I'm starting a new job in August. I will have a work laptop but my personal email websites are blocked by the work server. I want to be able to check my personal email from time to time during the day.

My cheap pay as you go phone has internet access but it stinks and always times out before it connects to the site.

So what would be the best, budget device to get to make this work? I'm open to another phone, Kindle device, tablet, etc? I am not sure if there are options I haven't thought of and wanted to get opinions.

Thanks!

 

[sk!mom]

I seem to remember that you're a teacher. I am as well. In my district, employees can request that web sites be unblocked for them. I have done that so when I log on under my Id number, websites are available to me that are blocked when a student logs on using their ID number.

Is that an option?

 

[RitaE]

you can pick up several different kinds of personal hotspot devices that have enough free or low cost data to check email etc.

You need to check what the coverage is like in the area you will be using it. This is an example of one. I know I've seen a couple different kinds at WalMart too.

http://freedompop.com

 

[ssawka]

Can you hit gmail or any other email service? If you can, just set up your personal account to forward to an email site you can reach.

 

[lauradis]

opps wrong thread lol

 

[drgnfly30]

Can you hit gmail or any other email service? If you can, just set up your personal account to forward to an email site you can reach.

These are precisely what type of services that are being blocked by her work. Mine is the same.

I just use my Iphone to check my personal emails throughout the day.

Christine

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would suggest upgrading your personal phone.

 

[NotUrsula]

Ask if your IT dept. can set up a VPN account on your laptop or phone. We are allowed to use ours on any network as long as we don't open it without logging into the VPN. (This is how we must use our machines from home as well. Going through the VPN is mandatory with all wireless networks other than the one in the building.)

Another possibility if you use Outlook is that they may have established an Outlook Web Lite site for secure use. We can also use that one if we have to log in from a machine that does not belong to the institution; it runs via a secure web login interface. (Most accounts for Outlook Web Access use a URL that starts with owa....)

 

[rock_doctor]

I would suggest upgrading your personal phone.

x2 i have a pre-pay phone and have 4g access... Maybe time to upgrade to a better phone.

 

[StephMK]

Thanks for the suggestions! Yes, I teach and unfortunately, they won't add sites or access. I can't get to gmail or yahoo or even juno(my really old email I still use).

I was hoping to avoid upgrading my phone but that may be the best option. What pay as you go carrier do you have w/ a 4g phone?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I was hoping to avoid upgrading my phone but that may be the best option. What pay as you go carrier do you have w/ a 4g phone?

I run my iPhone 4S on Straight Talk

$45 *or less* per month.

 

[wiigirl]

I would suggest upgrading your personal phone.

 

[ssawka]

Are you allowed to use your work account for personal use? If so, can you forward your personal email to your work account.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Are you allowed to use your work account for personal use? If so, can you forward your personal email to your work account.

That could be a lot of junk mail, I get several store emails each day.
Being able to have unlimited everything for $45 is smart. OP - you can find gently used smart phones. My brother found an iPhone 4S on Craigslist *always meet in a public place* or ksl.com classifieds.
Of maybe a family member/friend has one lying around, my phone was a gift from a friend *he'd upgraded to the iPhone 5.
*Sent from my iPhone 4S running on straight talk