I ALWAYS come to DU for advice, and I need some now. Tired of my nephews and

[progree]

47. Go prepaid. My service is costing about $40 / YEAR (just talk and text, no Internet)

Internet access (a "data plan&quot will cost you at least $25, probably $30 a month extra on top of your phone and text service. You probably don't need that on your mobile phone, I don't have it on my mobile phone.

I've kept my landline because of its clarity, I'm tired of cell phone to cell phone conversations, long distance especially where I'm not quite understanding everything the other person is saying. Besides, I figure my landline plus a cell phone for emergency / quick conversations is a bit cheaper than having a cell phone only with a $50/month plan.

I have a prepaid plan from T-Mobile (T-Mobile.com) and a Samsung Dart smartphone (I like the onscreen keyboard for texting. But since I don't have a "data plan", i.e. no Internet, its basically just a plain old cell phone to me. But if I get a data plan, the phone will be ready for it). The Dart cost about $100. I'm real happy with it.

I initially filled my prepaid plan with a $100 initially, and that gets me on a Gold Rewards prepaid plan that gave me about 1100 minutes and from then on, every refill, no matter how small, lasts 1 year (and so just have to buy a refill for about $15 minimum or so every year to make ALL your minutes carry over for another year). Anyway, other than that initial $100 first fill, its been costing me only about $40 / YEAR. I *LOVE* it because its cheap! (I used to have a $50/month 2-year plan -- that's $1200 over 2 years -- that is absolutely ridiculous just for an occasional quick away-from-home conversation).

I chose T-Mobile because it is what I've had since 2007 with an earlier phone, and I wanted to stick with the same company since I was well satisfied. I got the Samsung Dart in March and simply continued my existing prepaid plan (which I've had since June 2008) with it.

Another one I'd look at is StraightTalk.com. Somebody mentioned the Net10 (net10.com) which I'd look into too. Or Tracfone. In Walgreens or the grocery store or wherever, look at where they display cell phones and prepaid cards to get some ideas. Most of the phones and plans are cheapy of the prepaid variety. Just to get some ideas (I bought mine on the web after doing most of my research there).

Hope that helps. Its confusing, there are so many options.