Reluctant Smart Phone User of the 21st Century v. Reluctant Electricity User of the 20th Century (cell phone, service)

[oldhousegirl]

This has been on my mind for a bit. I use a "basic" cell phone. A flip phone. It serves my purposes. I have access to a smart phone through my husband if I want to do "cool" things. I am reasonably technologically savvy.

The problem? I think the costs of the smart phone service plans are exorbitant. Almost the monthly cost of my first self purchased car - which was 20+ years ago - of $206.11, '89 Toyota Tercel.

I don't want to be one of those people who scoff at new things. I love the iphone, the ipad and all. But the monthly costs are so high to me!!! I just cannot bring myself to do it. Is this how people a hundred years ago felt about upgrading to electricity? It's nice but not completely necessary? Not yet atleast .

[Pitt Chick]

I don't think $30 a month is exorbitant....

[oldhousegirl]

Actually more like $170.00 for two smart phones and one basic. For $30 bucks, who could complain ?

[Pitt Chick]

For that amount, we have three smart phones (unlimited data) and two basic, all with unlimited text/minutes.
The data part is less than $30 per phone with all the fees/taxes.

[NJBest]

Sprint Nextel is $145 for two smart phones and one basic phone. $155 for three smartphones. All Unlimited Data/text.

Verizon Wireless is $160 for two smartphones and one basic phone. $170 for three smartphones. 1GB/month shared data/unlimited text.

AT&T is $130 for two smartphones and one basic phone. $150 for three smartphones. 3GB/month shared data/no text. Add $20 per phone for text.

[Bluff_Dweller]

I have watched my son and grandsons using and the troubles they have had with the smart phones and it looks as if they are receiving one half the efficency at double the cost of other phones. I don't call that progress.

[oldhousegirl]

Appreciate the posts. I hear ya Bluff Dweller. Part of our family's problem is that my son is heading off to college in a few weeks. He has had Virgin which served him well throughout high school on a cheapy grandfathered in $25.00 a month plan for unlimited everything but talk.

His college only gets reliable service on the Verizon network not the Virgin/Sprint. My hubby and I have Verizon for about $85 per month. Both are basic phones.

NJBest, for Verizon the low 1GB would not be enough shared wise or even singularly.