Ask These Guys

When you compare cell phone plans it is important to consider why you need cellular phone service.

1. Is it for business or personal use?
2. Will it replace your traditional phone service or supplement it?
3. Is it only for emergency use?

Are you a sales person or a truck driver who is constantly on the road? Then you need to consider the geographical boundaries of your sales territory or route. If you are a long haul over the road truck driver or a sales person with a very large sales territory then you may want to compare cell phone plans that offer unlimited local and nationwide long distance calling with no additional roaming charges. If your territory is more regional in nature then you will want to compare cell phone plans that include unlimited local long distance calling.

In order to avoid roaming charges verify that the service area of the cellular phone plan covers the geographical area you need. It is especially important to make sure that your home calling area covers the area from which the majority of your calls will be placed to and from.

Perhaps you are concerned about the safety of your wife, your husband, your children or even yourself. Many customers are now purchasing cellular phone plans for their elderly parents. It’s hard to beat the security that a cell phone offers.

Especially popular with parents is the Firefly™ mobile phone. The Firefly™ cell phone is a mobile phone designed specifically for kids. It’s small, sturdy, and shaped to fit a kid’s hand with a kid-friendly keypad. Many models can be programmed to only call home or 911. A great feature if your have concerns that your child will run up a huge wireless bill. Help or a ride home is only a phone call away!

Another popular option for many wireless users are pre-paid cell phone plans. If you are considering this option you will want ask the following questions before signing on the dotted line or purchasing a phone:

1. Are unused minutes rolled forward from month to month without penalty?
2. Are you able to keep the same cell phone number if you don’t buy additional minutes by the renewal date? (usually every 2-3 months-plans vary).
3. Are long term plans available for up to a year so you don’t need to recharge your phones minutes every few months?

If you need more than one cell phone I highly recommend that you consider cell phone plans known as “family cell phone plans”. Family cell phone plans typically offer multiple phones at a discounted rate allowing each family member to have their own cell phone!

Some plans may even allow you to include your elderly parents as part of your family cell phone plan. It can give you and your elderly parents real peace of mind knowing that help is only a phone call away.

Choose a plan that allows unlimited free cell phone to cell phone calls to other customers (including your family members) who have the same wireless carrier.

When you compare cell phone plans read the fine print carefully! To get the best rate on their cellular phone plans many cellular phone service providers will require you to sign a contract for a specified period of time-usually 3 years. If you want to cancel the contract before the time period has expired you may have to buy out the balance of the contract.

Option 1: The cellular phone service provider may allow you to switch to another cellular phone plan instead of asking you to buy out your contract.

Option 2: If you find yourself stuck with a cell phone contract you no longer want or can afford then check out services that bring together people looking to give up their cellular contract with people who are looking for cellular service. If your wireless carrier allows it you can transfer your contract to someone else and possibly avoid a large cancellation fee.

Free minutes are a standard component of most cellular phone plans. When you compare cell phone plans carefully compare the amount of free minutes offered and when you can use them. Usually they can only be used during off peak times (typically evenings and weekends). In order to take full advantage of the free minutes offered with family cell phone plans and other cellular phone plans you may need to change your calling habits to match the times when the free minutes are available. Consider if you willing or able to do so.

It is very important to compare cost the per minute rate when you exceed your free minutes, call outside of your network, or use your phone outside of your plans time for the use of free minutes. Compare the “roaming” rate if you call outside of your “home” area as well as peak, off peak, local and long distance minute costs. Compare not only the per minute cost but the billing increments. Will you be billed every 6 seconds, 30 seconds or every minute?

Beware of text messaging costs. If you need it great, just realize that it is usually an added cost that can quickly drive up your cell phone costs. Verify how many text messaging minute are included with the plan and the cost of additional text messaging minutes.

Don’t be swayed by the allure of a cheap or free cell phones in place of a cell phone plan that meets your needs and is affordable. Compare plans before you sign on the dotted line!

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Jeff is always looking for ways to save money or make life easier that he can share with other people. His websites thenetprice.com and thenetrate.com share money saving programs and ideas with everyone.