If you’re a heavy wireless phone user and you need all the latest bells and whistles, this idea isn’t for you. But if you want excellent phone service for hundreds of dollars less per year than you’re currently paying, consider prepaid wireless. The major carriers all have prepaid plans, so you get a good network — just with different payment plans.
Here’s how it works for me: I bought a new, unlocked LG Optimus T for $185 from a well-regarded eBay vendor. I got AT&T prepaid GoPhone service, put $100 on that, and bought 500MB of data for $25.
Now, here’s the key: I use as much data as I want without charge wherever there’s free wifi (including my office, my home, and my favorite restaurant). When I’m out of range I use data for any reasonable purpose — but don’t stream any music or videos. The result: 500MB of data lasts a long time. To keep my data current, I roll it over once a month for $5. Text + data + voice runs less than $10 a month, on average.
This is not for everyone. If you want instant access to Internet, music and video anywhere — or if you spend a lot of time talking and texting — you’re better off with an unlimited plan.
Finally, for those who think $185 is a lot to pay for a phone and get one “free” with an unlimited plan for only $60 a month: That monthly charge adds up to $1440 over two years. My approximate expense for those two years is about $240 for service plus $185 for the phone, or $425.
For more on this strategy, here’s a thread with full details that gave me the idea.
