Yikes!? Are smart phone plans REALLY this expensive?

[QueenElinor]

The cost differential is only $20 or $25/person/month. That is a starbucks coffee each per week.

True, but it is just that kind of thinking that leads to $1000 in membership fees, subscriptions, and services every month, as I was complaining about earlier today. Lots of things are only the cost of a starbucks coffee- I just don't think we need all that "coffee". I don't even want to say what we really spend on things we think we need, but don't. Even though we can afford it, it just seems wasteful.

Can you tell my parents were Depression-era children?

I'm not getting the hype with smart phones either.

Why do people feel the need to be online when at restaurants or at the mall or a sporting event, etc??? I don't get it.

If you want to be on a computer that badly, go home! lol

Haha, home is a problem, too. I just visited my sis, and you know how people used to sit around and quietly read, play, chat or whatever all together in the family room? My sis's family all read their ipads. But she lives in the heart of Silicon Valley so I suppose this is considered normal behavior. Now, I don't know that this is a bad thing, except they will ignore a real-time conversation to do it. I don't know that it's any worse than TV. But perhaps this is the way it's going to be and we all just need to adapt? You and I might just be Luddites!

 

[Desnik]

Our Verizon bill is $270 a month for 3 iPhones & one regular cell phone. We have unlimited texts & phone calls, insurance on all the phones & I think it's 10G & the family share plan. This is with a 20% discount too! It's a lot I'll admit it but we love our smart phones. Technology & electronics are our families only vice so we can totally justify the high cost

 

[MomToOne]

I do not have a smart phone and neither does DD12. I've reached the point in my life where I don't feel the need to have the latest and greatest stuff just because everyone else does. And I feel good about that. I think my parents set a good example for me growing up in that way, and I can look back now and see that life really was pretty good despite all of the things I wanted and didn't get Really, life was much simpler in a good way back then I think BECAUSE we didn't have so much "stuff", and I guess I am at a point where I am interested in having a bit of that simpler life back now. I don't want to be tied to my work email 24 hours a day, and I don't really need to spend any more time on the Internet than I do already! Now, I admit the whole "simplify life" persepective didn't really kick in until I was in my 40s, but I really enjoy having it now. And it makes me want to set the same example for my daughter so that when she's in her 40s she can have the same epiphany.

Of course, I've worked in IT for over 25 years now. I'm pretty much sick of technology by the time I go home every night. I need more technology in my life like I need a hole in the head.....

 

[JB2K]

We are a family of five (two parents, two in college, one middle-school age) and the four adults have cell phones. I casually promised my kids and DH that I'd sign us up for some iphones when our contract with Verizon came up- but was totally shocked by the cost- $230-$240 a month!

I'm sorry, but I just can't see spending $3000 a year on cell phone service. Now I kind of feel like a heel about going back on my word, but I had no idea. None of us really need these things- my husband is a doctor (I can't even get him on the line most of the time!) and I'm newly retired. And, of course, the youngest child will need a cell phone in about a year when he starts to drive.

Are we behind the times? Are we going to stunt our children's growth and impede their social well-being if we don't jump on the smartphone bandwagon? Does everyone have one of these things?

Don't sign 2 years of your life (and $3K) away!

Look around the Budget Board -- there are a lot of threads popping-up every day about the "Prepaid Revoultion" and how it relates to today's smartphones -- you may be about to find great service on the most popular devices for only $45 a month -- yes, I said $45 a month ($540 over a 12-month period)...with no committments.

 

[JB2K]

For those curious, I only recently leaped into the smartphone world (after a lot of thought) -- I have a fully-featured Android device with unlimited calls/text/web carried over the Verizon national network for only $45 a month -- the only "catch" is I pay Net 10 for the service (they are reselling this service for VZW), and I am not handcuffed to a contract for 2 years, which means if I get bored with the device, I can move-on to something else...on my terms...

 

[JB2K]

Um- not in Montana. That's part of my problem. I did check out STraight Talk and I'm really interested in that, but there are some coverage gaps that I'm concerned about. We don't have T-mobile, or Virgin, or any of a half-dozen mobile phone companies I've seen mentioned in this thread.

I think it would be helpful to let the rest of the commenters know that most of Montana has nothing but Verizon towers -- especially in the western portion of the state (so most of your recommendations for Sprint/T-Mobile isn't going to be very helpful to OP).

Note to OP: Does it "have" to be an iPhone? Your geographic location seriously limits your options -- as I said in a PP, I have a Verizon-networked Android, and I'll take $45 a month over $100 a month, any day of the week...

 

[HM]

I think it would be helpful to let the rest of the commenters know that most of Montana has nothing but Verizon towers -- especially in the western portion of the state (so most of your recommendations for Sprint/T-Mobile isn't going to be very helpful to OP).

Note to OP: Does it "have" to be an iPhone? Your geographic location seriously limits your options -- as I said in a PP, I have a Verizon-networked Android, and I'll take $45 a month over $100 a month, any day of the week...

I agree. I don't see that an iPhone is that much better than the Android phone in terms of what is available for it. It's much cheaper to buy and may be cheaper to use.

 

[JB2K]

I agree. I don't see that an iPhone is that much better than the Android phone in terms of what is available for it. It's much cheaper to buy and may be cheaper to use.

Indeed.

But, there are generally two arguments out there in support of the iPhone:

• It's "user-friendly" (and, IMO, so is the Android)
  
• It's Apple/a fashion statement/everyone else has one

 

[hsmamato2]

if your kids are old enough to drive,they're old enough to pay for the phone they want. or at least a part of it.
my ds bought his first smartphone(droid) and is on the virgin mobile plan for 30.00 per month. He loves it as it's a text/data plan,with 300 talk minutes which he rarely uses.(he recently bought the iphone,and still pays that 30.00 per month)
so no, all smartphones aren't that expensive!
I use pageplus (b/c I like the coverage MUCH better) as our all around family phone- for 39.95 per month I get unlimited talk and text,(wifi wherever it's available) plus 100 mb of data. I use this carefully,as I don't 'need' data on most of the time.(I click it on/off as needed,it's easy) last month I turned it on perhaps once-twice daily,maybe 10 mins at a time to load an app,or navigate somehwere in the car(very nice)
*and I used about 15 mbs total.*
I boughta manufacturers refurb. phone on ebay (old droid,love it) and have all the bells and whistles of an android ,(cost of phone 60.00)
So total cost for one year of unlimited service is 540.00. including the phone.

(I stick with pageplus,they have AWESOME coverage)
no one will be stunted from lack of smartphones IMHO

 

[hsmamato2]

pageplus runs on verizon network for cheap

 

[MomToOne]

as I said in a PP, I have a Verizon-networked Android, and I'll take $45 a month over $100 a month, any day of the week...

With 5 phones, the OPs total would still be $225/month if each phone runs her $45/month. While that sort of plan can be a good savings for an individual, with a 5 person family it doesn't really do much for her.

 

[1stvisit0909]

yes, unfortunately.

DD15 and i each have a smartphone with 2Gb of data per month each. DH has a flip phone. our bill is $237.+ each month. of course, that is bundled with home phone and DSL, so it's not as bad as most people i know; but, for us, it's a LOT of money. we got scammed by a salesperson at the AT&T store (LONG story), and i'll NEVER go in there again. i'll get everything online from now on.

AT&T Online isnt much better, we do all our stuff at Radio Shack. They are the best IMHO dealing with ATT. They know the plans better than ATT themselves.

We have 3 smart phones, on the mobile share plan. BUT we dont have a land line or paid TV service (except netflix), we do have WIFI at home. So we use our phones a LOT. Its not a "need" but I wouldn't go back if I can afford it. I would of course go back to keep food on the table or the mortgage paid, but right now ours is $200 a month for 6 GB of data among us, and unlimited talk/txt.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Indeed.

But, there are generally two arguments out there in support of the iPhone:

• It's "user-friendly" (and, IMO, so is the Android)
  
• It's Apple/a fashion statement/everyone else has one

I have a HTC Droid and Hubby has a iphone 4s. They are both easy to use - BUT the iphone is more "smooth" with is iOS that the HTC. I love my droid, he loves his iphone, but either one of us could use the other. I have an ipad (wifi only) and he has a droid tablet - the ipad is much easier to use, smooth and sleek. The droid tablet gets the job done, but its a bit more clunky.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'm planning on downgrading our smart phones when our contract says we can. We have Sprint and pay $215 a month for 4 phones, $80 of that is for unlimited data. We don't have iphones and they're not in the budget, the android based phones that we do have are junk. Without going into too much detail, they rarely do what we need them to do when we need them to do it. I need the phone so my kids can reach me and they need theirs to reach me, but there's no point to them if they don't work.

I use the data on mine maybe once a month for random things, it's definitely not a need.

I am hoping to save some money by going to a pay as you go plan when this contract is up, but I don't understand alot of the details that I'm reading about on here, when posters talk about "unlocked phones" it starts confusing me. I'm just not very knowledgeable about cell phones and plans.

 

[QueenElinor]

I think it would be helpful to let the rest of the commenters know that most of Montana has nothing but Verizon towers -- especially in the western portion of the state (so most of your recommendations for Sprint/T-Mobile isn't going to be very helpful to OP).

LOL- I already have said that- twice- There are many great things about living here but cell service is not one of them.

Note to OP: Does it "have" to be an iPhone? Your geographic location seriously limits your options -- as I said in a PP, I have a Verizon-networked Android, and I'll take $45 a month over $100 a month, any day of the week...

Yes, it does have to be an iphone. My husband is an Applophile. He's been waiting forever to get one- we've only had a network that can support an iphone for about a year, and I made him wait until our contract was up which just happens to coincide with the iphone 5 release.

pageplus runs on verizon network for cheap

Thanks! I'm just learning about these prepaid plans , they sound like a great alternative, depending on how many of us want smartphones.

Thanks for the input, everyone!

 

[littlebit0863]

Wow, very happy I have a sister who works for a major cell phone retailer. I am on her employee rate plan and have to pay taxes only. I get unlimited talk, text, and only pay $25 per month for unlimited data, plus I get a new phone pretty often. Every time a new hot phone comes out the store employee is required to get it and give up their own phone. It goes back to the company to be sold as a refurb but sometimes they let them keep it for a while. In that case, she gives it to me, and I use it. However, if the company asks for it back she has to return it, which they normally don't until she switches phones again. Ex: She had to get an Iphone 4. When the next new Blackberry came out, the employees had to switch to that. She used that, I used the iphone 4, and then when the next new thing came out (I think it was an HTC) the company wanted the iphone4 back, and I got the Blackberry. She's on the iphone5 now, and I am oddly enough back to an iphone 4, it's the third one I've had. She has me, herself, and her friend on her employee plan (they are allowed 3 lines) and we have to be VERY careful with the phones, because if they get returned in poor condition then she has to pay full retail price minus her 30% discount.

I know I'm very lucky to be on this plan, and reading the actual costs of plans is pretty scary.

 

[lizzytizzy]

Verizon Wireless has a promotion where they give the iPhone 4 for free if you upgrade and sign on to a 2 year plan. I got that for DD15 . DH and I got smartphones as well. The plan is Share Everything plan which is unlimited texting and minutes, but we bought a 6 GB data. Total $188/month after employee discount is taken. Pre-ordered the iphone 5 as well!

 

[QueenElinor]

So today I got an email from Verizon that informed me I had been changed to the new Family Data Share Plan- with the exact same four phones I have now (no smartphones) for $190. Current plan is $119 (plus tax).

In other words, my visit to the Verizon store cost me $70 a month.

Needless to say, I immediately called Verizon and a very nice guy apologized for the Verizon store rep jumping the gun and putting me on the Family Share Plan. I'm sure he could see I am NOT under contract and had NOT purchased the iphones I had discussed with the Verizon store rep...

But he had to file paperwork to reverse the "upgrade" because it had been backdated to the start of the billing cycle. Sigh.

I told DH that I'm putting off changing for as long as I can. Every month I delay saves me $100- even he has quit wanting an iphone 5- I think he realizes that he just doesn't need it. Plus, we have an ipad, three desktop and three laptop Apple computers. Oh, and my son has a laptop PC and a desktop he built from scratch. That's 9 computers, and four phones for five people. Crazy.

 

[Bell30012]

With Verizon can you have an iPhone with no data plan on these phones? I know someone that has a Galaxy on Verizon but has no data plan. She just uses WiFi either at home or hotspots to use the Internet. Most apps works without the phone being connected to the Internet. That could save you a considerable amount.

 

[DawnM]

But that is the information we NEEDED in your OP. Hard to suggest and go into detail about plans when we have no idea that you have limited options anyway.

What towers/networks WORK in your area? If we start with that info, we can help with what pay as you go providers would be a good fit for you.

Dawn

Um- not in Montana. That's part of my problem. I did check out STraight Talk and I'm really interested in that, but there are some coverage gaps that I'm concerned about. We don't have T-mobile, or Virgin, or any of a half-dozen mobile phone companies I've seen mentioned in this thread.

What I might do is get my sister to put my daughter on her plan, and pay her back for it. Then DD can get her iphone. SHe's going to school in the Bay Area, and honestly, every kid there DOES have an iphone and I don't want to ignore the fact that technology is a really, really big deal there and her future may be dependent on how proficient she is with that kind of thing.

For me, DH, DS 20, and DS 14, not so much. DH loves him some Apple, though- we have more computers than people in this house . So I told him if he can make the media/communications costs net neutral after all the changes, I won't complain. (I'm lookin' at YOU Optimum!)