Cell Phone Monthly Pythons

[jvang]

I’ll be turning 18 soon, and my parents want me to pay for my own cell phone plan, but it’s surprisingly complicated to figure out much! We're currently spending $50 per line for unlimited data, talking, and texting. Our current carrier is Verizon, and I have an iPhone SE. The cheapest plan I found that they offer for a single phone is $30, but it’s strictly for a “basic” phone, not smartphones.

I'd rather not have to switch phones, since A) it’s a nice, well-functioning phone and B) I’d get scammed in a trade-in for a phone worth several hundred dollars less than what I already have. I appreciate the other features of my phone that are a result of it being a smartphone, such as being able to surf the internet when I want/need to, or use Google Maps, or take nice pictures.

The cheapest plan I found for a smartphone is $55, which is really a lot and I don’t even need much of what it offers (besides, it’s more money for less stuff compared to the current situation). Among other gimmicky things, it gives me 5 gigabytes of data (if I’m in a position to use the internet it’s somewhere that has a WiFi connection) and unlimited talk/text, yet I don’t talk a lot or message a lot (unlimited is convenient, but I don’t think it’s necessary).

So $55 a month seems like a bit much, with no other alternatives from Verizon. But perhaps going to a different carrier is an option? From what I know so far, my phone is “locked” to Verizon services. But I’m guessing that other carriers have ways to get around this? I noticed that, if I were going to trade in my phone to Verizon from another carrier versus already being with Verizon, my phone was automatically worth less. Would they be charging me for coming from another carrier?

[Batalov]

Family plans work even if you are away from home. (interestingly, auto insurance does too.)
For ~15 years we used the $49 T-mobile plan + $5 for kid's add-on lines. Well, to be fair, it had changed over the years and even discontinued but they wouldn't terminate existing plans (how nice; it is like grandfathered New York apartment leases). They have it offered again now. Data is not unlimited but there is enough for my kids. ymmv

[jvang]

Originally Posted by Batalov

Family plans work even if you are away from home. (interestingly, auto insurance does too.)
For ~15 years we used the $49 T-mobile plan + $5 for kid's add-on lines. Well, to be fair, it had changed over the years and even discontinued but they wouldn't terminate existing plans (how nice; it is like grandfathered New York apartment leases). They have it offered again now. Data is not unlimited but there is enough for my kids. ymmv

While this seems like a good idea, my parents want me to have a separate plan, like a first step into adulthood or something like that. Paying for my third of the plan seems to not be an option.

[masser]

Originally Posted by jvang

While this seems like a good idea, my parents want me to have a separate plan, like a first step into adulthood or something like that. Paying for my third of the plan seems to not be an option.

Having your own plan might be a good way to establish a credit record. You will need that sooner than later.

[Uncwilly]

You may want to look at Straight Talk. They run on the Verizon network. You should be able to take your phone over. The prices are good.

[Xyzzy]

Originally Posted by jvang

I’ll be turning 18 soon, and my parents want me to pay for my own cell phone plan, but it’s surprisingly complicated to figure out much!

Your parents are probably trying to ease you into the world of adulthood in small steps rather than throwing you out there all at once.

The adult world is a very hostile and confusing place!

[kriesel]

Originally Posted by jvang

While this seems like a good idea, my parents want me to have a separate plan, like a first step into adulthood or something like that. Paying for my third of the plan seems to not be an option.

Learning on and making mistakes on something small is a good way to go. Gathering information and seeking advice before plunging in as you are doing seems promising. I was just looking at Wirefly the other day regarding data-only plans. There's a lot of info there about general phone plan offerings available too. https://www.wirefly.com/content/phone-plans Watch out for analysis paralysis. Good luck. Especially if you'll be paying the bill with money you earn yourself.

(I went from a monthly and very limited plan with one provider to prepaid with another provider, Tracfone, some months back, and I expect the savings to repay the Samsung J3 smartphone cost in 6 months or so from start. It's convertible to autopay via credit card. Number portability and changeover was smooth and straightforward. Projected cost is under $20/month for my low usage. There are few monthly plans in that range, and all I recall is a Consumer Cellular limited basic phone plan for less. There is a market for selling and buying used phones; I've gotten several on ebay for example.)

[jvang]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

You may want to look at Straight Talk. They run on the Verizon network. You should be able to take your phone over. The prices are good.

The prices are indeed very good! Their website tells me that I can keep my phone with no hassles or cost to switch. $35 per month with no contract if I wanted unlimited everything, $50 per month with no contract for completely unthrottled data (they say that they might check what you’re up to if you use more than 60 GB per month on this plan).

Why would you go to a big company and pay more for less when you could pay less for more from Straight Talk or something? What do bigger companies offer that someplace with better prices doesn’t? The only downside that I see is that I can’t do a trade in, and I didn’t look very closely for that service.

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by jvang

The only downside that I see is that I can’t do a trade in, and I didn’t look very closely for that service.

It's all a little complicated. Which is exactly how the providers like it.

Some telephony providers will offer a "free" high-priced phone as part of a contract (sometimes with a "trade in"). What they don't mention is this usually requires a contract of somewhere between one to three years.

Quite possibly the most important lesson your parents are trying to teach you is there is no such thing as a free lunch. Take this to heart.

Tangentially, look up what "unlocked phone" means.

Often it is less expensive (over the expected usage period) to purchase the kit you want to use outright, regardless of your chosen service provider....

[xilman]

Originally Posted by chalsall

Tangentially, look up what "unlocked phone" means.

Often it is less expensive (over the expected usage period) to purchase the kit you want to use outright, regardless of your chosen service provider....

I have no expertise at all in the subject of US cell phone provision (you reading this sm88?) and not much more regarding UK mobile phone providers. What little I have found out, and exploited, is that it is always cheaper to buy outright the lowest price phone with the required functionality and to purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM. I also know that it is easy to unlock a phone. I've unlocked all my locked kit.

No idea whether this is relevant --- re-read my first sentence.

[VictordeHolland]

Do you really need the unlimited data? Or can you use WIFI at home/university/work?

I don't know how providers do business in the USA, but $50 for unlimited doesn't sound like a good deal to me.

I may not be a heavy smartphone/tablet user but I use 4GB over WIFI and only 1GB over mobile network each month. I've set my phone to backup photo/video and update apps when connected to WIFI and to prefer WIFI connection over mobile network when both are connected.

I pay €13/month for a 2GB data plan + unlimited voice/text. If I used 90% of my data bundle I get a text message stating so. I can then (optionally) buy extra data for that month (1/3/5/10GB for €7,50/15/20/30). I've needed it once this year when I was on holiday in Denmark/Sweden and I wanted to backup my photo's over a mobile connection, a well spend €20 if you asks me.