speaking of cell phones

[hpymomof3]

My dh has a cell phone through his work. Several years ago when my parents got their cell phone they included me on their plan (I think I will always be their little girl). Since then we bought my dd a trac phone (pay as you go) phone. I told her that when she turns 16 that she would get a regular phone and that her younger sister turns 13 she would get the trac phone. Well dd #2 turns 13 today and dd #1 turns 16 in July so I guess it is time to keep my promise. Besides that, I really feel that I need to be on a different plan from my parents. I just don't feel comfortable having my parents pay the bill. I've tried to change it for years but they won't let me. My dad will be retiring in a few months so now will be a good time to change.

I want to find a plan that doesn't cost us an arm and a leg. I use my phone several times a week but the calls only last a few minutes. Dd seldom uses her phone but mainly uses it to call me after school to get her or that type of thing. I also want her to be able to text a little bit (within reason) and make a few calls to friends (within reason) but she really doesn't need very many minutes. Are there plans out there that still only cost $30 a month instead of $100.

[Tracey in TX]

Good luck finding a plan with so few minutes. DH swears he signed the kids and I up for a similar plan (Sprint), but always go far over the allowable minutes, so I think he's mistaken ;)

We're currently looking for a plan with 4-5 phones, which allows lots of minutes, text, and is affordable.

[Diana in OR]

Try SPRINT. Our usage sounds a bit like yours. We have a plan that is approx. $60/mo. for 3 phones-halfway between your 30 and 100. I think we get 300 minutes, plus unlimited calls between our own phones. We don't have texting, so we have to pay $.10 for each text message. I don't know how much it is to add it.