Today’s questions is from Liz:
I’m looking to upgrade my phone soon. Could I save enough money with the apps to make it worth paying extra to buy a smartphone? Also, any suggestions on phones you’d recommend or money-saving apps? -Liz
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I know your question asks about saving with a smartphone but i have researched the different cost of plans and phones, let me just say it is rediculous the amount that is spent on the cell phone coverage! I know you have vm but we live in texas and all of our family has sprint(a lot of people have problems with this provider BUT they have been fanstic the last 8 year) so its free to talk to them. we have unlimited internet and text messages with 1000 minutes a month, 2 lines for 185.00 a month. We decited to add internet to our phones for picture mail and nav but i almost feel like that IS WAY TOO MICH to pay. I have a rumor touch, although i do not have apps, i insert my grocery list on my notepad in my phone, moble coupons sent to my phone. Since you have a lot on your plate, a smartphone might free up some time but you might have to pay a tad bit more for it. GOOD LUCK! I hope you find something that works for you and your family
Oh, and I’m not on facebook, so social networking isn’t a part of my smartphone experience…and I still love my smartphone. 🙂
My husband and I both have had smartphones for about 2 years. We recently upgraded to the Droidx2. When we made the decision to get smartphones, we eliminated our home internet service. We had done away with our home phone several years previous to this. Since we don’t have a television, there are no charges for cable, etc.
I don’t know that it saves us any money, but for $50 (for both of us) more than our regular cell plan, it’s worth it. We use the gas buddy, coupons, etc., and I add digital coupons while I’m shopping at Meijer and other stores.
As with anything, smartphones can consume you if you allow them. There is simply not a difference in me putting my face in a “book” on my Kindle App or putting my face in a book from my bookshelf. If it keeps me from connecting with people or fulfilling my responsibilities, then that would be a discipline issue. My husband and I are sensitive to each other, and know when to put the phones away.
So…if there’s extra money in the budget and that’s how you want to spend it, it is a fun and very useful gadget. If I was really serious about it, I could probably find a way to make my phone pay for itself every month, but I’m a busy teacher and mom of four, so that’s not super high on my priority list right now. 🙂
Don’t give in to the hype! My friends make fun of me, but whatever! I use my “dumb” phone to talk and text. I use my computer to email (shocker!). My husband has a camera that takes better pictures than an iphone will ever be able to. I was given GPS as a Christmas gift, so I don’t need a smartphone for GPS. I love having a dumbphone because when I’m driving, I’m not tempted to check my facebook. When I’m out to dinner with my husband, we look at each and speak to each other. We’re not sitting there thumbing around on our smart phones “checking in” so everyone knows our every little move.
I’m sorry, but technology has its disadvantages, and I see smartphones as a money waster, a time waster, and an anti-social mechanism. People are constantly on their smartphones instead of talking to the people they are currently with. DRIVES ME CRAZY!
And guess what, I give my kids BOOKS as entertainment. REAL ones. Not “books” on my phone. (Computer/phone screens are not healthy for developing eyes). And as far as GPS for a gas saver, that’s bunk. GPS has taken me the wrong way so many times it’s not even funny. People have followed their GPS into the wilderness and died.
I vote that unless you NEED it for work, don’t waste the money. Instead of playing angry birds, you can spend time FACE TO FACE with people who are important to you.
My Iphone 4s is amazing (my 1st smartphone-thanks mom and dad). I save money b/c I substitute teach and even when I’m in class or hanging with friends I can look online for work for the next day. Also, super glad I got to stay on with Sprint since AT&T supports the Tea party.
I have an iPhone and I HATE it. Everyone complains because they can’t get ahold of me, but it’s because my phone won’t charge! When I do get it to charge it dies pretty quickly. I rarely use my apps, only when out of town, and I’m always home. I dont get messages for several days. I took it to AT&T and they told me it was water damage but the water damage indicater was still white – no damage. They said it’s still water damage. I told them that I have never gotten it wet, and they said it could be damaged by the steam coming out of my dishwasher or shower. My phone always sits on the side table in living room, if it’s been damaged by the steam coming from the dishwasher then it’s a little too fragile for me.
The Atrix is a nice phone and is only $50
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/cell-phones.jsp?feacondition=allphones&feaavailable=allphones&feapaytype=standard&startFilter=false&typcat1003=cat1003&osAndroid=100002&allFeatures=on&allManus=on#fbid=lMbWjgGEWt_
Thanks, went to the link and read some reviews. Our contract is up and I’m definitely going to try something new.
My husband and I do pay a lot for our smartphones (approx. $150 per month at least), but to us it is well worth it. I am usually more frugal on most things, but to us, this is something we find it worth “splurging” on. I need to be able to check my e-mail on the go, I am a text messaging addict, I love the apps, and I really enjoy going to the grocery store, being able to search for a recipe on my phone, and then grab the ingredients while I am there.
Someone should not get a smart phone if their goal is to save money. They are expensive, as are the data plans (it varies per carrier, but you aren’t going to find one that doesn’t require it).
I have a smart phone because I love the future and the convenience. There are great apps like EEBA (envelope system) and Google Docs (for on the go access to any money-saving spreadsheets you’ve created). I have a Droid Bionic and I highly recommend Android over iPhone, Blackberry, Windows, or Palm. Especially because of free daily apps with Amazon appstore.
For those people who don’t want a smart phone but are still using a 10year old phone, why?? If you are on contract, there are plenty of phones you can get for free with an upgrade. Unless you’ve lucked out, there is probably something buggy about your phone that could be done away with with a new phone.
I don’t have a 10 yr old phone. It’s actually only about 2 yrs old. It doesn’t require a data plan. Thankfully for my family, there still are newer phones out there that don’t require data plans.
I believe most carriers offer free upgrades every two years. I know some people who complain about their old phones, and I wonder why they don’t upgrade, because, like you said, there are new non-smart phones out there.
My daughters and I have used Straight Talk for several years now. You purchase the phones at Walmart and choose your plan either $30 for 1000 texts, minutes, etc. or $45 for the unlimited everything plan (data, text, minutes, etc.). I just purchased their LG Android phone for $168 (with 6% cashback through Ebates too) and it’s loaded with ALL the goodies that the Apple IPhone has and more. Even in the reviews there were IPhoner’s who switched over to this phone because it saves them TONS of money. The service plan is $45 per month ($48.81 to be exact with tax) and you can pay with your credit card each month or go to Walmart and purchase the prepay card. My automatically refills each month….And I LOVE IT! Can’t say enough about the phone (service thru Verizon by the way) and the cost….I’m a single mom with 2 teeangers and we could not afford our phones thru Verizon or Sprint and we thank GOD for Straight Talk…..Good luck and yes, I would say an Android is well worth the price for the organizational aspects alone….Try it out – they have a 30 day money back guarantee and there are NO CONTRACTS :)…..
I have had smartphones for the past four years.
1. I do not own a digital camera or any video camera, the smartphone is it and I can do tons with the iphone. Saves money from buying the equipment and upgrading that equipment. Saves space and less to remember!
2. We only use cell phones, no landline, so we do not have the landline cost either.
3. I do not own any other GPS unit and the smartphone with apps has been this for me, saves money from buying extra equipment and then upgrading the GPS when needed.
4. Things like GasBuddy are fun, although I have not won a gas card yet. It has saved me money on gas while on the run.
5. My phone does save me time and I can do more things on the run. I have the internet, facebook, calendar, etc with me always and I simply use without having to wait until I get home – and forget!
6. A little less printing. Some coupons are available on phones, this may become more in the future. This is not much, but can help some.
7. Price check at the store. This can save money price check shopping for a bigger ticket item you don’t mind driving across town for.
8. Travel! This has been a huge convenience and saved us money on travel. I can find out which area is going to have the least expensive gas prices, I can find the restaurants and coupons if available.
9. Again, I do not own any extra equipment, a tablet or a reader or a portable dvd, my smartphone takes the place of all these. This cuts the cost of any extra equipment and replacing these when they die.
10. Keeps me organized!
11. We can also do without as many computers at the house. We homeschool and tend to use the computer quite a bit with the kids schooling. With three students at home, the family computer and my computer are always being used. I am fine not having my computer available to me as I can access most everything I may need on my phone. Things I need the computer for I schedule before school or after.
12. Of course any business, my husband can tether phone to computer for internet access when on the road, I can show clients their ads on the phone instead of lugging around the computer, etc…
13. I’ve got most everything with me always. We are a busy family! I am out and about most afternoons transporting kids to their classes and activities. I also volunteer for a local non-profit company and I run a small side business. I rely on my phone! Sometimes too much… I can work on the run and accomplish tasks while waiting for kids. I do not know how I could volunteer like I do and work without the smartphone.
We use StraightTalk and we LOVE it. I love not having a contract and mu husband I both use the $30 month plan for 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30 MB data and unlimited 411 calls. My phone is probably technically not a smart phone, but its a samsung touch screen, app capable and I can do facebook, email and pretty much whatever else I want or need. My phone was $89 and my husband’s was $39 b/c he just got a basic phone. After we get our taxes back, I plan to upgrade to an Android…with trading my phone in, I can get it for less than $100…they are around $179 new and then I will be getting the $45 a month plan with is unlimted EVERYTHING!! Also, I was reading where you could buy an unlocked smartphone of pretty much any brand and run it on this network or other no contract networks, but I’m, not tech savvy enough to understand that. We had Verizon for over 8 years before we went with Straightalk and I will NEVER go back!!!
I love my iPhone. It is probably one of the smartest purchases I’ve ever made and it’s totally worth the expense. There are free apps for Groupon, my bank, to-do lists, PayPal–all of these things save me time and money. I know that a lot of people use coupons on their phones as well, and I’ve heard that Mint.com has a great app. I was also able to purchase a game to teach my daughter about money, which she absolutely loves.
I used to have a smartphone – with the Android system and I did love it – Verizon is our carrier. But then I realized that I could just buy an iPod Touch and get all the apps on there that I loved using on my phone and save myself the $30/ month. Yeah, the iPod is a little pricey but in the long run I am saving a ton because now my phone only costs me $12/ month! and I don’t mind the extra gadget. 🙂
Time = Money. I save way more than 30 hours a month with my smartphone. If my time were worth only a dollar an hour (it’s worth way more than that, of course!), the $30/month for the data plan would be worth it. It means more time that I am available to spend with my children.
That doesn’t even take into account the fact that my phone has MADE me money. I have my own business, and being able to answer emails quickly or even take an order on the spot has gotten me orders that I might not otherwise have gotten.
Add to those facts the convenience of “Navigation”, being able to research things on the fly, and the ability to use my phone as my mp3 player, and I don’t regret the cost of the data plan for one minute.
Love what you said! What phone and carrier do you have?
If you’re just interested in “apps”, we VERY highly recommend buying an iPod touch. You’re just spending the $200 ish out of pocket upfront, no monthly fees. (And watch Target, very often they run gift card offers on them.) You can use just about any app that an iPhone offers. I even quit using my pay-as-you-go VirginMobile phone b/c I can use FaceTime, skype, free texting apps, etc on a wifi network with the iPod. (And at least where I live, there is free wifi almost everywhere.) I also LOVE having the camera in my pocket at all times. I own a very nice DSLR but it’s bulky to carry around constantly. With the ipod I can snap photos of our everyday much easier and then email them directly off the device.
On the other hand, my husband has an iPhone that his office pays for. Since we know the differences first hand, there’s no way we’d ever pay the fees associated with the iPhone over owning an iPod.
We were considering making this switch also. Right now we have cell phones through Virgin Mobile. Just plain old talk on the phone ones, where we pay $20 every three months to keep it activated. (This adds time to the phone, so we dont get much. We just try to use our home phone more and cell phone less) That comes to $80 a year for a cell phone, $160 for two years. We then looked into a smart phone. Pick the one you like, and calculate how much it would be for two years (add the cost of the phone itself). Is it worth that much money or would you rather have that much money for something else. Dont look at it as a per month cost, look at the whole picture and figure it out for the whole time of the contract. To us it was not worth way over $1,000 extra to have the extra conveniences of a smartphone.
It’s not just paying for the smart phone, it’s paying for the service. Are you going to save money? No. Do I enjoy my smart phone enough to keep paying for it? Yes, love it.
I haven’t read all the posts, so I don’t know what has been said, but I think the important thing to consider is how much you would use the phone outside of money-saving apps. For those alone, I’m doubtful that you’d save enough to justify the expense, but if you would also get a lot of use out of the GPS features, the texting, the Internet, etc., then it might be worth it for you. When you’re looking at different carriers, definitely make sure to ask around and see how coverage is. I know I’ve had carriers try to sell me service in areas where their coverage is spotty at best.
I love my smartphone. We do not have a landline as it would cost $50 for just a plain old regular one.
My smartphone may not save me a lot of money, but it does save me time, and since time=money…
I save time through tasks+ app that allows me to organize my to do lists, my project lists, anything like that. I use an ereader app, which allows me to read whenever i’m in the car waiting (as a one car household, this is common). I can turn my email sync on when I’m awaiting something important. I can turn it off when I need to focus on other things. I text my friends a lot, usually holding all day conversations while still getting housework done. I can refill prescriptions and download mobile coupons. I can use mobile websites, and check my grocery list when I realize I’m near the store that carries bulk items, or I’m by costco, or whatever. I like being able to print straight from my phone, no loading up the laptop needed. I use the calendar to remind myself when rewards expire (up+; RR; ECB).
I don’t need my gps anymore. While that was originally a one time purchase, in order to update the map, it would cost me about $60-$80. I can stream my music through Amazon or Google Music, no matter what room I’m in. I did have an ipod, but after having the hard drive fail yet agan, I refuse to pay for a 5th ipod.
One of my most used apps is actually a flashlight one. It has come in so so handy when the binky has fallen under the couch, or I can’t find something in the car.
I can show a price match to the vet for flea and heartworm medicine (I always forget that or print off the wrong dose).
I like having one device to remember. I also like the portability.
Is it a necessary? Depends on your life and your priorities.
We went for a very long time without smart phones because it was so hard for me to justify the extra cost. Since my husband recently changed jobs in the military to a more “business” oriented type of job, plus he travels so much we finally broke down and got some.
I am now wonder why we took so long to make the move??? We LOVE our phones now and we use them for EVERYTHING! I now use way less paper and am so much more organized it’s a dream come true to me.
So yes I do believe its totally worth it to spend the extra money for smart phones 🙂
I know where you are coming from because I was in the same situation a few month ago. Rather than getting a smart phone, I invested in a Nook Color. In my situation, There is free wi-fi in most locations that i spend a large amount of time. So I decided it was not worth the extra $30/month (which adds up to $600 over a 2 year contract) to have internet access in those few remaining places. For example, there is free wi-fi at most McDonalds, panera, Starbucks. With a Nook Color, I have access to the internet and it has apps too. it is not all of the same saving apps that are available but this is the option I went with.
I just thought i would throw this option out for you. I mean there are other ways to access the internet without having to pay for a data plan.
We looked into this issue about 8+ months ago when our current cell contract was up. For us it wasn’t worth the added expense. But we have the MOST basic plan and no texting on our cell phones and we have very basic (free) phones, too. We don’t have a home phone either. We do have an I-Pod Touch. If I can get wi-fi out and about then I can do all the cool apps, etc with that. I think eventually we will go with smart phones, maybe next time the contract is up the prices will be right.
Not sure if anyone said this yet…but Best Buy is having a HUGE sale until Christmas. Free smartphones!!! You do have to sign a 2 year contract, but they have all the major carriers and atleast 3-4 smartphones under each plan that are free or $1! Just a thought 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas!!
No, you will not save much money with shopping apps, etc., certainly not enough to pay for the service. Personally, though, I love having the web and messaging at my disposal everywhere I go. It makes so many little downtimes into productive times.
ABSOLUTELY! Yes, they’re expensive and the monthly fee is a lot – BUT mine saves me GOBS of money! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a store (buying something with cash from my envelopes of course!) and “Googled” a coupon, or checked my email for the latest offers – one coupon I used at JCPenney’s saved us over $90! It’s also very helpful to look up deals I’ve seen on moneysavingmom.com (although having a “stores” tab on the drop-down mobile menu would be GREAT!).
It’s also negated our need to have a Garmin – which saves us money too! It’s VERY helpful with alternate routes do to traffic or construction, and when you’re in an unfamiliar area (and happen to be on Weight Watchers) being able to type in “Subway Restaurants” and get directions from where you are to where it is is an INVALUABLE tool!
We were having car difficulties while traveling, and we were able to look at a map, see the next big city, call around for mechanics who were open (because of course it was a Sunday afternoon), and when we found out the repair was going to take several hours, find a hotel for the night – and review some local restaurants who delivered to the hotel. 🙂
My husband is a doctor, and is able to use his for work purposes as well – calculating medicine dosages, checking the latest information on treatment procedures…we love ours, and although they are a chunk out of the budget every month, we’ve decided we’re willing to trim other areas to keep them.
Having access to google in the store is awesome. I love being able to scan an item I’m considering purchasing to find reviews online or comparable prices to see if I’m getting a good deal.
My husband was working a well paying job – but also traveling a lot – and we each had a smartphone. It was “necessary” for both of us at that point – he needed it for work and he needed me to have it for peace of mind while he was away from us.
Those phones were our tools {especially for my husband!} and they were well used.
When my husband quit his job and went back to school full time the phones were one of the saddest things to part with.
We are determined to get through this school stage debt free, but parting with our iphones was HARD to do!
I’d recommend one if you are able to afford it. An ipod touch does do a lot of things an iphone can do, but it’s still not quite on par.
It is really hard going from owning one to not owning one, so I would weigh very heavily the decision to get one based on being able to afford it long term.
Once my husband is through school and we’ve built up our savings some more smart phones are on our list of things to buy. They never “owned” us – they made our daily lives easier.
I don’t think there’s anyway that having a smart phone could save you money no many how many helpful apps you have. The worst part about my iPhone is that I don’t think I could live without it… beware buyer – a smartphone is probably a life long commitment 😉
Yes. It’s not that you’d save money, per se, but time. Time is money, right?
If you’d asked me a month or two ago, I’d have ungraciously answered, “Heck no!” Then – I went several days without my phone. Suddenly? I realized how much I’d come to rely on it, and most of it had nothing to do with, ya know, making phone calls. 😉
Also, I very, very rarely actually spend money purchasing apps. (Although recently, with Google’s celebration of the 10 billionth app download, I bought quite a few of the 10 cent apps.) The ones I use the most are free.
1. Google Calendar – I use both the built-in Calendar app as well as a widget that shows me at a glance what I have going on for that day.
2. Weather Widget – just by looking at my main screen I can see whether my daughter needs a long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirt. With North Carolina weather, you never know!
3. Gmail – Yes, I’m one of those. When it seems everything happens via email, it is incredibly handy to have access wherever you go. Notification that cheerleading practice was canceled, or that Awanas is going to run late, or that my best friend thinks my outfit looks a little scary. 😉
4. Fitness – there is one in particular I use. I can literally scan a package and it adds the serving size to my daily tracker. Or I can input it from favorites, or things others have put in, etc. This is important to me, because I have to get 100+ grams of protein per day. So it’s a wonderful (and free) way for me to keep on top of it!
5. Paper Camera et al – I use my camera phone for everything. I love it. In addition to the “regular” features, like sharing directly to Facebook, messages, PhotoBucket, email and such, I love programs like Paper Camera that let you see the picture with the filter already on. Or filter pictures you’ve already taken to look like, say, pencil sketches, before you send them on. Lots of fun, and an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes waiting in line at the pharmacy or to pick up kids from school. If I didn’t have a camera phone, my Grandma would never see pictures of my daughter. 😉 The smart phone apps just make it that much better.
6. Memo Apps – Lists, important information, things to do, etc. All at the tip of my fingers.
7. Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Connect the Dots, Learn To Read et al – what can I say? Digital babysitter. Fabulous when I’m unexpectedly delayed somewhere, not just for my 5-year-old but for my best friend’s kids, young cousins, etc. Not that I think kids need 24/7 amusement, but for instance the other day I got randomly stuck at an appointment for 2 1/2 hours with no prior warning/preparation with a friend and her diabetic son. The entertainment apps on my phone saved the day!
I know there’s more, but that’s just what I could think of.
That said, my smart phone was free when I signed up with Sprint. I really don’t know you have to pay extra these days to get a smart phone. Heck, my friend ended up paying to get a “dumb” phone for her mother, who didn’t want a smart phone. What you will pay for, probably, is the extra costs associated with having internet.
Could you tell me the name of the fitness app? I just activated my Virgin Mobile phone yesterday (this blog post finally persuaded me) and that sounds like something I could really use.
Sure! It’s called “My Fitness Pal” – it is linked to the site of the same name: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ – so you can check online or on your phone. 🙂
I am working on my second iPhone. I love them and will never go back to a regular phone. I had blackberrys for along time. I’ve used alltel, Verizon and now AT&T. They all work great for me and my family. I work outside the home. The thing I like most is when I’m spending time with my family, work can email me so I don’t have to deal with meaningless calls. Also we don’t get Internet where we live in a rural part of Missouri.
i upgraded to an iPhone a couple months ago and have saved a ton of money! however, due to financial strain I had to go back down to a basic phone to save the data plan package cost. It can still be used on wifi so most or all of the app benefits i still reap it is just done at home and the ebay app saves me hrs of time (and dave ramsey has an awesome app too) 🙂 so maybe think about upgrading to save the cost of a new phone but if your old phone isnt in too bad a shape still use it?
I just downgraded from a smartphone to a basic phone with just text, camera, and video. I was on a $15 a month data plan through Verizon and I did have a few apps I love, but it wasnt worth the money IMO. I have a Nook Color and a Netbook and nothing is so important that I need internet and cant get to a computer. I am saving $180 a year!!!
I am “old school” frugal,too, and used a tracfone for years. Last year my Dad had a massive heart attack and while we were in the hospital, my brother showed me how to use his iTouch. It was a lifesaver as I was able to communicate via email and keep up with my eBay sales. We were in the hospital for hours on end and it was wonderful to be able to use it to go on the Internet and Facebook. My husband surprised me with the iTouch at Christmas and I used it all the time …using Kindle, Facebook, Internet, eBay, and many other apps. It is a great way to get the feel of a smartphone without the expense. After having issues with my tracfone (due to more emergency visits to my elderly parents), we began looking into changing to an iPhone. My husband gets a company discount at Verizon. My son already had a smart phone plan with them which we turned into a family plan. So our expenses only went up the $30 for the data plan. I absolutely think it was worth it for us as I now communicate daily with my son (freshman in college) through iMessage. We also can FaceTime ( like Skype). I doubt I save the cost and it certainly isn’t a need, but it is worth it to me. If you are set on making up the cost through using your smartphone to save , it could be done. But you might also give up expenses in other places to pay for it. I definitely would give up a meal or two eating out to have it!! However, remember I used an iTouch for a year so I knew I’d love it enough for the $$. PS I am selling my iTouch this week to a close friend who is in the same place – testing the waters before getting a smartphone.
Ummm, YES!! I LOVE my iPhone4. And get this, I am NOT a technology lover and I do not like gadgets and I was adamant to my husband that we did not need iPhones! Well, he won me over with the Facetime feature and I said, “Ok, get us some iPhones.” I don’t regret it. We actually ended up saving money by switching from T-Mobile to AT&T, even though we paid to cancel our contract with T-Mobile: we bundled our cable & internet with AT&T. Also, we are STILL saving money by using the iPhones because it has:
1) Streamlined our household technology and organization. Our computer is a Mac (also a good buy! No viruses, blue screens, bugs, or any problems since we bought it four year ago!) We upgraded to the new cloud operating system (free) and our calendar and contacts on the computer and phones are all the same and update automatically. This means if I enter an appointment on the calendar on the computer, it also automatically appears on my husband’s iPhone calendar! I can update his sister’s new number on my phone and it also appears in his contacts list. If one of our phones ever gets lost or goes missing, I still have the contacts list on the other phone.
2) The iPhone camera is a wonderful quality. It has options like a grid and flash on/off and HDR. We don’t even use our digital camera or a video camera. It is so, so, SO easy to take a picture or video of our little one and send it off to grandparents and relatives. It’s a blessing to be able to share her life with them in that way. They love it.
3) I get lost anywhere I go. I’m directionally challenged. I use the maps feature all the time and I don’t even bother with our GPS now. I can check my email to find addresses for appointments and playdates. With the iPhone, you just click on the address in your email and it automatically opens up in the maps program!
4) I have my shopping lists input into my phone and items I am considering or price comparing also. I don’t have to lug around a bunch of lists with me and I don’t have to beat myself up for not remembering what it was I needed at the hardware store (it’s always a long list!)
5) We sold both of our old phones on Craigslist. We are in the process of selling our GPS and digital camera, since we no longer use them because the iPhone is better for both functions.
6) We save time and make money faster by depositing checks using our iPhones. The bank has a free app that allows customers to photo capture their checks and submit in the app! I can also check our balances through these apps, too, even in the store.
Favorite news apps: Popsugar & Pulse (both free)
Favorite money saving/shopping apps: Groupon, Slickdeals, GasBuddy, CraigsPro (all free)
Favorite baby/ kid apps: Smart Hands (liked the free version so much that I upgraded to learn even more baby sign language), Flash Cards, Lyric Find Lite (I sing to my baby a lot), WhiteNoise (free except upgraded Smart Hands)
I use Priority Matrix for task organizing and lists & ShopListFree for the grocery list. While I don’t adore them, they work for now, until I find something better. ((Does anyone have any suggestions??)) (both free)
Instagram and CamWow have been fun camera apps to play around with. (both free)
Pandora (radio) is great but I don’t use it. I’m more of an audiobook listener. My husband uses it all the time, though. He hooks it up for family car trips.
You can get the Optimus V at Best Buy.com for $65.00 for the Virgin Mobile Network (Sprint). My daughter has this phone and it works great. She is on the $25 a month no contract plan (now its $35, but still a great deal), which comes with 300 talk minutes and unlimited data, text and email. She lost her privileges to her phone and I was able to NOT pay the bill for up to 90 days but still remain on the plan. The nice part of no contract phones is that you aren’t locked into a long term contract. With contracted plans, sure you may get a “Free” phone but you pay for it over the 2 years you are required to make your monthly payments.
I have no input here…I have been looking longingly at Smartphones for quite sometime now 🙂
I’m afraid I’ll have no discipline and be on it 24/7!
I have Boost Mobile. It is THE BEST plan I have ever had in my entire life. I will NEVER go back to contracts. Boost mobile is a branch of Sprint. You get the same service, and some of the same phones, you just pay a fraction of the cost. My husband has the Samsung Prevail (android)with them, and it’s amazing. He got the phone for $67 during black friday, and his bill is only $50 a month -no surprises, no activation fees, no overage. It’s literally unlimited EVERYTHING. No offense, but if you pay more than $50 a month you’re INSANE. Plus every 6 months I pay on time my bill drops another $5. Next month my bill will be $45 for a blackberry.
We’re able to tether our phones to our computer and use them as our internet connecton from home so we justify the expense that way.
I had to do this for the longest time because we couldn’t get DSL or cable internet where we lived in the boonies. 🙂
I just got a prepaid smartphone through at&t it’s the LG Thrive. I really love my phone. I have always had a prepaid but never a smartphone just your standard phone. I love it for checking emails & web access when I need it. My husband was going to get me an iphone but after figuring how much more it was going to cost us a month for me it was not worth it. I only use my phone occasionally anyways. We have a landline phone & I use my cell phone for mostly texting. I would have got the virgin mobile because they were cheaper but coverage in my area was not good at all. I think prepaid is the way to go if you are not going to use the phone a lot. I can use my own wifi at home so I don’t use up my prepaid data & you can also get free wifi at so many places now. If you go through at&t you can “roll” your data package if you add more data before it expires and you can check it on your phone any time. They also have texting packages that work the same way. I really love my phone and I love not being tied down to a contract.
I listen to Clark Howard about every day on the radio. He has all kinds of tips for saving on cell phones and says no one should be using an expensive contract phone. He has a website with all the info. My daughter has had a Virgin Mobile phone for several months and really likes it. I believe it’s around $35 a month with unlimited text and data. There is a limit on talk but what teen would actually talk on a phone?? lol
I have no opinion about a smartphone. I have a regular cell phone and don’t even have a data/text plan. I will say all this information is overload for this SAHM. I can’t fathom wanting that much convenience and interruption in my life. Before I got my cell phone (3 years ago) I always said if I ever really needed one, somebody else will have one. But, will be good information to store away as I am told one day you will only be able to get data packages. That day might be here one day for me but for now, I will leave all the research to you all!!!
One thing that no one’s mentioned yet, is the new SB Mobile TV app from Swagbucks. I just recently learned about it and have been using it for the past week.
Please note, this is only a good choice for those of you who have an unlimited data plan. Otherwise you’ll end up paying overage fees.
For every 5 videos you watch (plus commercials) you get 2 SBs, and you max out daily at 100 SBs. From what I’ve played around with, it doesn’t require intervention, except when a call or text message comes through, then I have to restart the videos. I’m lucky to be able to have my cell phone with me at work, so I just let it sit in a drawer and run the mobile app. I check on it occasionally to make sure the videos haven’t been interrupted. I usually hit the 100 SB limit after about 4 hours. If I do this most days in the month, (factoring in a few forgotten days or days in which I don’t hit the limit), it comes out to about $30 worth of Amazon gift cards from the mobile TV app alone. This pretty much pays for my data plan.
But as far as my smart phone goes, it does save me time and money when it comes to staying organized, getting grocery shopping done efficiently, find coupons while I’m shopping, and especially now in the holidays allowing me to price match an item to see if it might be cheaper elsewhere (like on Amazon). Just thinking of the amount I saved this holiday season using my phone to find discounts and cheaper prices for a store to price match (w/o having to make a second or third trip) makes a smart phone worth it for me. FYI, most large chain stores will take a coupon on your cell phone without a printed copy (i.e. Target, Kohl’s, Gordman’s, Younker’s, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy), which saves trees and ink costs.
Thank you SO much for the SB Mobile App idea . . . downloading now!
I got an iphone for my birthday. I use the ebay app at thrift stores to see if I can resell items. I use gasbuddy.com. I keep lists of things I need, lists of brands to resell, lists for shopping, all kinds of lists. I use the lemon app and the shopsavvy app.
I have a paypal app and a bank account app.
I also have my school’s curriculum app, chess with friends, words with friends, iBooks (free books), a few local money saving apps, and of course, use my camera for personal and selling on ebay reasons.
I was skeptical, having always gone with the “free” phones, but this is totally worth it. Makes it easier to make money and saves me time.
I have a friend who lives out in the country and can’t get high speed internet. She pays $50/month for a no contract phone with unlimited data and talk/text. She is able to use her phone as a modem and some work as a wifi hot spot. So depending on your area, you might also be able to use you phone in that way and save money.
My husband has to have one for work (they reimburse). I don’t believe you can justify it based on money saved. It would be a rare occasion that I couldn’t obtain the information needed to save money at home.
Sounds like I’m one of the few who doesn’t own a smart phone 🙂 I’m okay with that though, I don’t feel a need for one in my life right now as a stay-at-home mom. My husband and I are both on family plans–our total monthly phone cost (we don’t have a land line) is $20/month. I don’t see any other option as saving us money. Not to mention the time I would most likely waste on one if I got it. Perhaps someday I will have one, but for now I don’t see a need to pay for one more thing that will take me away from what’s most important in my life right now. But I do recognize that everyone has different circumstances and needs.
I feel the same way! I just don’t see the need in our lives for a data plan on our phones. I have internet at home that serves more than one computer. I truly don’t understand it. I was noticing just last night at choir practice that anytime we had downtime, I looked around and at least 6 or 7 people had their phones out checking facebook,etc. I was speechless.
We use our cell phones to talk to people–no land line. I feel like data plans are a waste of money. But it seems like I am old-fashioned because I have found few people <> that agree with me. That’s okay though 🙂 I have many mom friends who just don’t understand how I afford to stay home and homeschool my children in “these times”. When I try to give them a few pointers such as : Cut out cable (get an antenna); get rid of your fancy phones and phone plans; turn your home phone off; get rid of your expensive SUV, etc they don’t want to hear all of that. 🙁 I am reading Little House on the Prairie series to my daughters right now, and I just love how simple their lives were. Amazing 🙂
Yes, as much as I love the good that comes from technology, I long for those simple days. I wonder what kind of a fast paced life our kids will live in…
We can i-phones super cheap through our plan but cannot justify the extra $50 per month it would cost my husband and I to each have one; that would be $600 a year or $6,000 in ten years!
I can plan my best deal shopping trips before I leave home; I research out the best price online for purchases in advance so scanning an item in the store would be an impulse buy and that is rarely if ever a good deal!
Another old school soul here on Money Saving Mom.
I haven’t had a chance to read over everyone’s responses but I just switched to a Smartphone. I love it for all the data and texting, etc. and kind of hate it for actually talking.
A few things to consider:
1) If you don’t have a landline (we don’t), make sure to go with a reputable company that has excellent coverage in your area. The catalyst for changing to a smartphone and also changing our provider was that I had the very unfortunate experience of having to call 9-1-1 when my 2 year old went limp in my arms, his eyes rolled back, and his lips turned blue. We were at home in our living room. It turned out to be a febrile seizure (for a fever he’d has all of 6 hours but that’s a different story). Anyway, in the middle of my frantic call to 911, my phone dropped the call. The phone instructed me it was in “Emergency Mode . . . Will Call Back.” I waited and it NEVER rang even though the operator called back 3 times. We had Cricket. I spoke with 3 different customer service agents and 2 in person at a store and pretty much got a shrug and a “I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” I was pretty calm until that inconvenience comment. Companies that are month to month can have very, very spotty service at times. Plus, because it is month to month, they cut corners by outsourcing all the customer service centers (Cricket outsources to India). Also, if you have a problem, all you’re going to get is a shrug but you aren’t under contract, you can leave whenever you want–less of a reason to keep you happy. (Also, I want to point out here that we now have a landline phone for emergency calls only. It’s $6 a month and worth every penny. Although, I pray I never have to use it again).
2. Almost all cell companies offer a discount, especially if you or your husband works for a large company. We got a 15% discount and free activation with T-Mobile. When you call to ask about a discount, make sure to ask to speak to the business accounts department as they deal with these sorts of accounts.
3. I got a G2X (T-Mobile) for free. We live in a 4G area so it’s very fast and I LOVE having driving directions at my finger tips (I have a terrible sense of direction). Plus, a coupon database and things like Amazon and eBay (I run a small bookselling business so these have helped me TREMENDOUSLY). Plus there are some fun free activities for the kiddos they have enjoyed.
4. I think T-Mobile is advertising a family plan with unlimited talk, text, and data for 2 phones at $49.99 a line–that’s a great deal and you’ll get a free phone too.
5. I personally won’t ever go with a month-to-month plan with a smaller company because of the above mentioned problems with service and customer service. These are, of course, my experiences and others will have different stories.
I hope some of that helped although it probably just rehashed everything above.
Sharon, you just described my recurring nightmare! (In mine, I keep hitting all the wrong buttons…822.. 933….). I hope your son is doing well.
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I don’t know about the cost effectiveness, but my iPhone makes me life easier. I work 2 jobs outside of the house, and am finishing a grad degree. I just want everything to be…easier.
I love my smartphone to pieces, and it’s tremendously convenient and useful, but it definitely is a luxury.
I love my smartphone and couldn’t live without it now. I use it for business and I get a discount with Verizon for that. Verizon is the only company that works were I live. I had Sprint before and they are the best if you get service in your area. As for phones myrateplan.com or letstalk.com is great. You can get the same new phones that you find in the store for way cheaper or even free. Sometimes you even get a credit, ooo I like that. Anyway good luck with your new phone endeavor if you decide to go for it!
Best thing I ever bought. So many apps are helpful (Astrid, Google Lattitude, Gmail, Google Navigator to name a few) and it is a big time saver. If I think of something I need to do, ohhhhh I can do it now, whether it’s check out something online, order a great deal that I found on Money Saving Mom, or just add something to my shopping list. I don’t have to remember till I get home, etc… I can do it now.
I love my iPhone and use it plenty and I would miss it if it was gone, but I don’t *need* it. The data plan is $30/month and even with the mobile coupons, I don’t save that much money each month to make up the $30.
It is certainly fun and convenient for many reasons and people can justify it all they want, but I really think there’s nothing the apps can do that you can’t already do with internet access at home and some paper and a pen. You might just have to actually spend a little bit of time planning your shopping trips before you head out or pack some toys to entertain your kids at the doctor’s office or at a restaurant.
I’m only 31, but maybe I’m just old skool. 😉
I couldn’t agree more. I love my smartphone, and my kids use the apps when we’re waiting at appointments, but if we ever get into a tight place financially, that would be the first to go. It’s fun, but definitely not a necessity, and I couldn’t justify that I use it to save money when we pay what we do for the plan. It’s definitely a luxury.
i would LOVE a smartphone — but I’m afraid I’d become addicted so I have refrained from getting one. When my husband is rich and we have extra money swimming about this will be tops on my list.
Amen. I’m 39, but sometimes I feel like I’m 79 compared to my peers. We have cheapo flip phones from Virgin Mobile. Have used them for years. It’s only the 2nd cell phone that I’ve ever had! It costs us each $20 every 90 days. So that’s about $14 a month! I don’t text, or use it very much, so this is a great plan for us. I do use the Internet plenty at home on a regular old computer.
I’m afraid that a smart phone would be a big time drain for me.
If you’re 79 then I’m 99. I don’t even have a cell phone. DH has been trying to get me on board the cell phone train, but I’ve resisted so far. I have no interest. Don’t even know how to dial one or send a text.
we recently upgraded to android phone. My husband needed his for work but I needed a new phone too. I only have free aps on my phone. It comes with free gps & map directions. My husband and I already used google calendar so it has made life SOOOO much easier to have my calendar and shopping list available all the time. I have a shopping list set up (and synced with my hubbys phone) for each store we go to, as well as a holiday list. Having Internet access is great too because I can look up phone numbers and check for coupons before I go somewhere or price match an item if I don’t know if the price at whatever store I am at is the best. Also, it is really nice to have a decent camera when I forget my point-and-shoot – then I email the pictures to my mom or whoever else is in the picture. I have even used the internet radio feature when my mp3 player died at the gym, and when I was driving a car with a broken radio. Very handy!
Honestly, I don’t know what I did without it. Really worth the $30 extra. Piece of mind and all…
I do not consider our “smarter” phone to be worth the amount we pay each month. The coverage down in this area is bad, anyway, and the phone I happened to choose…well, it’s a smart phone, but you can’t get any apps or anything for it. Our bill (the absolute cheapest plan we could get away with via Sprint; we tried to change it to just voice without data and Sprint refused to do it, citing that the fact that we have a smart phone means we have to have the data plan) is over $80 each month. I think, all month long, we use the phone for maybe 60 minutes. Our contract will be up next August, so needless to say we’re not going to be renewing the contract. We could have a little cheapie phone from Virgin or TracPhone or something, pay $20/month and get everything we need.
I can’t see where the apps would save me any money if I could install them, anyway. If I hand-write my grocery list, I’m more apt to remember what’s on it and just stick to that list, instead of typing it up. And if I go in to the store with only the coupons I’m going to use, that means I only buy those items. Even if it’s a good deal, I’m not spending the extra money to get the good deal.
I love my smartphone. It does save me money. When we are out, I can search for coupons for restaurants and stores that I may not have brought with me. When shopping, I can scan the item I am considering buying and see the price at other stores to see if it sa bargain. My work pays for my data plan, so it was a no brainer to upgrade.
I purchased my phone via wirefly.com. The phone was a great price plus I clicked through shopathome.com and got $20 from shopathome.com plus a coupon code for $50 off a phone. The phone ended up costing us $49 where if I ordered via AT&T, it would have been $199.
I love love love my Android, but the costs are killing us on our current provider. We need to save money, but all our family is w the same provider so we don’t pay anything to talk to them. It’s hard to know what we shd do. I’ve considered a pre-paid plan, but my hubby is hesitant bc coverage may not b good.
I have boost mobile. It’s amazing. I will never go back to contracts. We had Sprint and were paying more for phones than our mortgage. Boost Mobile is a branch of Sprint so you get the same reception and service, you just get a cheaper deal. No surprises, no contracts, no activation fees. You buy the phone you want (I have a blackberry and my husband has a Samsung Prevail) then you buy a card that puts money on it. The most you pay is 60 a month for unlimited everything, and that’s with a blackberry. If you get the Samsung it’s only 50. All other phones are only 50 as well. And every 6 months you pay on time, your plan drops 5 bucks. I currently pay 45 a month for unlimited everything with a blackberry. If I miss my payment there are no late charges, my phones simple stops calling people, but then I just go online and pay my bill. You can buy cheaper phones on Ebay, but make sure the ESN number works before you buy it. My husband got the prevail (android) during black friday for $67 and he pays $50 a month. That’s it. Every time. Great way to save money.
Thx so much for that info…very helpful!!!
I agree….we LOVE Boost Mobile I did hear that service is a wee bit slower then other smartphone service providers (like VZ) but if this is your first smartphone you won’t notice the difference. We are actually paying way less then we were for our “dumb” phones through VZ. So not only was it more cost effective for us but its incredibly time efficient (I can check emails or bargain shop while my husband is browsing in HD and I use GPS constantly – love it!)
I completely agree, I have had Boost Mobile for years. Any time you get a gift card to Target or Best Buy, you can use it on a reboost card to pay your next month’s bill. So I stocked up with the Target offers.
For those who work outside of the home, check with your company to see if they will give you a stipend to help pay for your phone. I actually save money on my cell phone now by adding data because my company will give a stipend of $60 a month to help cover the cost. I have to be available when on the road and they wouldn’t give the stipend unless I could check my work email and calendar, which required the upgrade. I know this might not apply to everyone, but might be worth asking and it saves me almost $30 a month on my old bill!
I love my iPhone and fine more and more uses for it. The app mint.com is great. It tracks all of your spending and puts it in pie charts, you can create a budget. You can also read moneysavingmom.com on the go.:-)
I still have a dumb phone, but I LOVE my iPod touch. Way cheaper (check ebay!) and has all the apps. The 4th generation iPod Touch has a camera with it, too, which is fantastic (my husband has this generation, I have the 2nd generation).
I think it would be fun to have, but I just can’t justify the expense of a smartphone for my own needs. Maybe someday?
It’s worth it for some. not so much for others. We get a discount from Sprint because the company we work for networks with them, so we upgraded to an HTC Evo with Android a few months ago. The sticker shock was a bit much at first, but I’ve found dozens of useful apps. My favorite is the Food Planner. It’s a free app I dowenloaded off of Android Market place. I can plan my monthly meals in advance. Once your program your recipes into it (and it takes some time to set up!) it saves your recipes, and you can just pick them from the list as you go through the month. If you’re making something special (say a Christmas dinner), you can add all of the ingredients to a shopping list with just a tap! Or you can view your recipes for the week and add groceries to the list one at a time so you know you have what you need for your weekly meal plan. I’ve added other stuff to the list than just groceries, including pens, car coolant, and batteries. It’s actually saving me money because I’m not having to run to the store each time I run out of something. (We used to do the “List stuck to the refirgerator” thing, but if you remember you’re out of flour in the car on the way home from work, you probably WON’T remember it once you get home and have to start making dinner, so some things just never made it on the list.)
I did originally start out with the Out of Milk app, but switched to the Food Planner instead because it combines the shopping list.inventory thing with a food planning calendar AND recipe book.
So, if you think you can justify the cost increase and take a little time to program it in the beginning, trust me, it can be very worth it.
I have Kindle on my smart phone and love that feature. I don’t like to keep track of too many technology pieces, so one phone that can do both is great for me! I watch for the free Kindle books and buy the ones I like, so I am saving a ton on books! Being a book worm means that we had to create a category in Mint for my book habit. Since having the Kindle I have saved quite a bit and this is great for me. We have droids and this also allows us to share our calendars, which is very handy for 2 busy adults with 2 little girls.
That should be, since having the Kindle app.
Oh, and also….I utilitze it to do swagbucks surveys and various things while we’re traveling as well- trying to save money when I’m stuck sitting still. 🙂
Oooh, I’m anxious to see if anyone knows of any good apps to save money! My husband and I were super skeptical (we are super cheap) and didn’t even have texting plans in the past. However, we upgraded last year (if you watch deals, etc., you can often get a really good deal and get a phone for cheap or free and they also gave us almost $200 credit for switching from our current provider). My hubby also gets a discount for working for the local hospital and we pay online so we get about a 25-30% discount every month. So it was only about a $30 increase every month or so from what we had previously and now we don’t have to worry about people texting us as we initially had to pay whenever anyone texted us since our plan didn’t include that.
I have to say, I have been pleasantly surprised as I was against initially getting the phones. I think it depends on the person. It has personally helped me become a LOT more efficient. If I’m waiting at the doctor’s office with kids, nursing, etc., I am able to use it to access the internet and check deals, answer emails, handle house stuff. Last year it was absolutely INVALUABLE as my hubby and I were apart for 6 months while we were trying to sell our house. We uploaded the realtor websites, got constant texts, emails, realty info regarding our house….and when we went out house hunting, we could just pull up the apps on our phone and if we were sitting right in front of a house that was for sale looking at it, then we could pull up all the specs, etc. It saved us TONS of time house hunting, etc. It was sweet. Also, we didn’t have internet for a while so it was invaluable at that point as well because we were handling the sale of our house and needed internet (we were in transition at the time).
Also, I LOVE some apps when I’m at the store, it really helps me not to impulse buy. I have one that scans the bar code on the item in a store and will pull up current prices at different places online and in stores. That way, I know if what I am looking at is a reasonable price or if I can order it cheaper online. Or, if I’m considering purchasing something and I am wondering on whether it gets good reviews, I can pull them up right there as I’m looking at the item in the store. I am also a nerd, I take pictures of prices, etc., and then I’ll go home and see if I’ve got coupons for the item to make it worth it. =) Although, you don’t need a smart phone for that. 😉 Honestly, though, it has really surprised me how much I use it. My husband and I use it constantly when we’re traveling to take care of things we didn’t have time for at home. If he’s driving, I can pay bills, order groupons, etc., and he can handle things on the sale of our home, etc. It is a huge time saver, which is worth its weight in gold for us, because we have 3 children three years old and younger! We don’t have time to pee, let alone do some of the things our smart phones allow me to do when I’m stuck in a car. 😉 Or, if I’m rocking a fussy baby in the middle of the night and I am wide awake- then I sit with the phone and read stories online or do various things to pass the time. I check moneysavingmom.com, etc. Sometimes I have found some killer deals this way at 5 a.m. whereas had I not had my phone while I was nursing there is no way I’d be up at that time. 😉 (wink wink, Crystal!) When I forget my Bible at church, I just pull up the app and I have it all, including study apps. OR if I have a kid who is fussy because we’re waiting somewhere like an hour for food, or somewhere where it is imperative they stay quiet, there are some really helpful preschool apps that have helped my son learn to read at 3 years old and entertained him a lot at 2 years old even when I was desperate. 🙂 Angry Birds has become a lifesaver at certain moments of our lives, including the closing of our home. 🙂
However…I will say that I feel sometimes like I can’t relax, because I have the ability, I feel like I SHOULD be multi-tasking and getting things done at all moments rather than simply relaxing. 🙂 BUT that’s the season of my life, I suppose. 😉
I still have a flip phone!!! My family teases me by calling it a cell-o-saurus:) My husband has one, but I don’t have any desire to pay for two data plans. I really only text on my phone, besides phone calls, and go on the laptop to use the Internet!
Oh, I so miss my flip phone! I only used it for emergencies, but then as soon as my husband got a cell phone of his own for work, and was on my same network, I was able to call and talk to him all the time. I loved it. About six months ago, he got a new job and “upgraded” to a smartphone and got one for me, too. I hate it. It is big and it does not sound as nice as the flip phone did. It does not fit in my pocket. I have tried to make good use of it by checking coupons and stuff. It has come in handy a few times to get directions or a phone number off the internet or info off of an email, but I really think it just makes me more irresponsible. If I could go back to just my flip phone, I would!
I am one that actually likes to use a phone to talk to people, though. I have never sent a text, nor received one. I am not on Facebook, and I would rather someone call me than send me an email to ask me a question. I am on my laptop often during the day, though.
Same here–both my husband and I have “flip” phones! They meet our needs perfectly for about $30/mo. for BOTH, since we share a phone plan with my in-laws.
My husband wanted to upgrade to an iPhone when they were available with Verizon (he needed one for work). I gave him a hard time about it because I didn’t think it was worth the extra expense (I think it’s like $30/month). At the risk of sounding conceited, I honestly don’t know what we did without them. We use our phones so much, we are discussing discontinuing our home internet service. I make it my “goal” to save $30/month to make up for the expense for my phone. We use the GasBuddy app to find the cheapest gas around, the Aldi app (to price match at Walmart–we don’t get their fliers here), I also use GeoQpons which has coupons for most major retailers. I have saved the most with GeoQPons–probably around $200 since I downloaded it in July. It is also great to get the updates (the ones that run out quickly!) for Money Saving Mom. Hope this helps a little! I truly LOVE my smartphone!
You can get them free after rebates and what not. The only added expense is the data plan.
I couldn’t live without my Droid. Its the mindless gaming apps that will be more fun than the coupon apps I think.
You could use your smart phones wireless to get your computer online but only if you have unlimited data
I utilize only a prepaid phone for when I’m on the road which costs me $15/mo +tax for an annual cost of less than $200. I find it sufficient for my needs and have chosen not to be overly accessible to everyone nor overly dependent upon my phone. Sometimes I wish I had the ability to cash in on some of the great mobile coupons available, but cannot justify the cost.
A friend of mine in my area recently got an iphone and pays $120/mo +tax for an annual cost of over $1500. She doesn’t think she could manage without it, especially the calendar and scheduling features.
I don’t believe I could ever make up the $1300 annual cost difference in savings or convenience. While handy, the features require paying a monthly bill. In contrast, I purchased a Garmin GPS for less than $130 shipped to my home with no sales tax from Amazon (got to love Swag Bucks!), which is approximately the cost of 1 months smartphone bill.
I would suggest figuring the annual cost and the difference between what you are currently paying to determine if it is a wise investment for your situation.
Well said – I totally agree with this! My husband’s work pays for his Blackberry and I personally hate cell phones and use mine as little as possible so we cancelled our family plan ($60/month). I use Virgin Mobile and have a pay-per-minute plan which costs me less than $10/month. No way could I ever justify the cost of purchasing an expensive fancy smartphone plus the monthly data plan costs.
I think my smart phone is fun and good for killing time when I have to wait for something or someone while out and about, but in no way has it saved me money. However, I am a stay at home mom and really am pretty clueless about technology. I’m old fashioned and still prefer a paper calendar and paper shopping list. I’m also not a coupon queen or extreme bargain shopper. If I was always on the go, was into technology, and shopped quite a bit, maybe I’d use my phone for something other than infrequent phone calls, checking email and wasting time on facebook!
Depends on what you need it for. I absolutely depend on my iPhone for work (I teach virtual school). I use it pretty much constantly as it allows me to be “mobile” with my job, answering calls, checking/returning emails, etc. None of that is “saving” money but it sure does help me earn my paycheck! 🙂
Most of the apps I have are free, so for the person that said apps would cost money, definitely reconsider. I think I have paid $1-2 for a couple of apps that my kids use, but rarely do I pay for them. Also, I have apps for some of my favorite stores that allow me to access coupons. And, a lot of retailers will scan coupons right off my phone at the register, so that is a definite savings! There have been multiple times when I’ve searched while waiting in line and been able to locate a coupon to have them scan off my phone. Awesome 🙂
I never thought I would use it this much but with my job and our family’s lifestyle, it’s been awesome!!
“And, a lot of retailers will scan coupons right off my phone at the register, so that is a definite savings”
Can you please explain how this works? It sure seems like a good way to save on printer ink. I don’t have a smart phone but the savings from this alone would justify a monthly data package especially if a household mgmt app was connected to a coupon database.
By the way, I’m bit of a Rumplestiltskin, is an App similar to software?
Anne,
Sure, stores like Children’s Place, Carter’s, Michaels crafts, etc, will just scan the barcode from your phone directly. I haven’t used it for grocery coupons but I’m pretty sure my grocery store doesn’t do that yet. I just pull up the coupon in my browser or from my email, hand my phone, and they scan it like a paper coupon.
We’ve also been able to do this at restaurants.
I have a first generation iphone because it costs the same as a regular phone for us through my husband’s job, but if it didn’t there’s no way I’d have one. It’s a *toy* for almost everyone. A totally fun, really convenient, frequently practical, completely addictive toy, but a toy nonetheless.
Now if you have money in the budget for a fun toy, then yeah! Get a smartphone. 🙂
AT&T now offers the iPhone 3G for free (no rebates, no upfront fees except the upgrade fee which they have always waived for me when I complain, just the standard 2-year agreement). It sure beats the flip phones they used to give away!
So for those of you home 99% of the time, is it worth it? I am skeptical that paying for the data plan is worth it.
For me, yes. My son is 18 months and even opening a laptop while he is awake is a recipe for disaster. My HTC Inspire is my lifeline for checking email, bank accounts, bills, etc.
For me, it’s not. I’m home with two kids (an almost 5 year old, and a 16 month old). They’re playing next to me as I type this. I have a desktop in the living room, AND a laptop in the living room. I don’t need to add a web browsing phone clutched in my hand to make me feel connected and to save money 🙂
My husband did a tremendous amount of research and we went with Virgin Mobile. We paid a cost for our Android phones up front, but our monthly plan with calling, unlimited web and text is the same price we were paying for calling only on our non-smart phones. It’s unbelievable!
You certainly can SAVE money with a smartphone if you can get in with RepublicWireless.com . $19/month for unlimited EVERYTHING! The phone costs $200, and there are no contracts. The catch is that they require that you offload most of your usage to WiFi, but when you are not in WiFi range, it rolls you over to Sprint. It’s in beta now, and not currently open to new users, but should open up again in late January or early February. I was lucky enough to get a spot in the testing, and so far it’s pretty great, especially for $19/month!
I signed up to find out when they are open to new users – thanks for this!
Just yesterday, I purchased a no contract, non-Smart phone from T-Mobile’s website for $29.99 shipped. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I have access to the internet all day on my laptop. I have an Android (contract), but found I rarely used it. I initially paid $100/mo, but negotiated the rate down about 1.5 years ago to $50/mo by ditching internet on it.
On the new phone, I plan on prepaying minutes and as little as I use my phone, only pay about $10/mo. My contract on my Android was up, and I will save $50/mo by making this change. The $50/mo savings will be going into the ‘new car’ fund.
my husband and I decided to upgrade to smartphones for convenience not money-saving ability. however, besides the initial cost of the actual phones our monthly bill is exactly the same as it was before (with extremely low-grade phones). We just upgraded in October to android phones through TMobile and were able to get in on the $49.99 unlimited plan. So our combined bill is $120 with unlimited minutes/messages and a data plan that we never fully use all of – this was the price of our bill before the android phones so the upgrade to us was a nobrainer! (especially since the phones were gifts to ourselves for another year of college completed).
I would only upgrade to a smartphone if the monthly bill didn’t change from my previous phone.
We use a cheap tracfone (about $8/month) and purchased an iPod for about $190 to use for free apps and entertainment. Many apps need WiFi, which is available in some stores (plus home). Apps like craigslist++ (you can save searches) and gasbuddy save us the most $. We also just got an HP printer with ePrint, so we can print extra coupons straight from the iPod.
P.S. No data charges or fees associated with the iPod Touch, just the initial expense.
how do you get tracfone for $8/month? will you share? 🙂
We use it very little and get by with adding the lowest “package” of minutes ($19.99 + tax) every 90 days. My phone ($29.99) came with double minutes for life, which is almost always more than we need. They also send me an abundance of promo codes, so I often get minutes that way. For us, it’s a nice way to be frugal, but still connected.
Depends on what’s important to you, and what kind of deal you can get for your plan! I work for a cellular provider and get a sweet discount on my smartphone. But I know the pricing out there and I really don’t think it’s worth it.
I have internet at work and at home. For “money-saving” tips, even many basic phones can support web browsers and email – enough to be able to check out a good deal. The Target mobile coupons are nice – and they are smartphone-only capable – but not really worth the extra expense.
If you’re like me, you shop the ads and matchups before you get to the store normally, so you know what you’re going for. Even if it’s a last minute trip, I don’t keep a ridiculously huge coupon binder, so I pretty much know what coupons I have for what items. So the phone really isn’t needed. Although it is definitely fun 🙂
I LOVE my iPhone!! The list of apps and things to do are endless. I’d recommend an app called “Red Laser Classic” that has saved me a lot of money…you can scan the bar-code of any item and find the lowest prices in-store and online! And the app is FREE!!
Highly recommend the iPhone for sure. Can’t go wrong with a product from Apple!! 😀
My husband and I ditched our month to month plans to go prepaid smartphone way and found it to work our phone habits much better as well as our pockets. Initial costs are high for our phones$350 for two Android phones combined(taking into account the rebates and all) but we love our phones and we are glad we did this. It helps with our huge texting habits and we use our cell cameras a lot plus there are so many apps out there that make life a lot easier in every way.(FREE as well) We could ditch the internet plans from home and do with wifi but we want to keep our internet line for other uses at home. So is it worth it, assess your family’s need and habits and maybe in the long run it may just be worth it.
My hubby uses his Droid for taking pictures. It’s really nice not to have to carry around another gadget, and since it’s run on the android platform the pictures can be automatically backed up to Picassa so they aren’t lost.
I LOVE my iphone, and use it numerous times throughout the day. I think that the real question is what your main motivation is for buying/using a smartphone. Do you want it for the ease of texting, online applications like email, gps, or picture capability, or do you want to use it only for saving money? As far as money-saving goes, I personally save vastly more using the internet with couponing or other such sites in my facebook news feed than I do using my phone. It is constantly being used for other online applications though…
I have an iPhone thru AT&T but I don’t have the newest one- the 3GS is only around $50. I don’t think it saves any money but it is super convenient. I also get a 24% discount on my data plan through work. I would never spend hundreds of dollars on a phone.
I LOVE my smartphone (I have an Android Phone- a T-Mobile G2). I just got one about a year ago and am hooked.
You can actually save a lot of money using a smartphone. If you don’t have to use the internet often, you can have do all your online stuff on your phone (if you get a decent data package.) My phone also has a button that allows it to be a wireless hotspot anywhere I go. I COULD use it as at-home internet, and completely ditch my Cable Internet provider if I didn’t do so much work online!
Also, I MAKE money with my smartphone with certain apps. I use Checkpoints, WeRewards, and Shopkick, and easily make about $30/month (or more) just scanning things with my phone!
You can find more info here: http://cheapsinglechick.blogspot.com/2011/05/checkpoints-phone-app-make-money-with_24.html
As much as I would love to have a smartphone, for me it makes no sense. I am a stay at home mom so I have internet on my home computer if I need it. My husband, however, does have a Droid X2, but like an earlier poster wrote, the company he works for offers a discount through Verizon so the discount virtually erased the data package fee. That was worth it to us!
It totally is worth it if you check out no-contract companies that offer newer phones. Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile are good examples. I’ve had Virgin for almost a year now and will probably never go back to another provider. My phone may not be the latest and greatest model, but it still runs Android Froyo and I can do pretty much anything anyone else can do besides maybe buy intensive games or stream video which I probably wouldn’t do with a phone anyway lol.
I was pretty much going to say this word for word. I scored my Virgin Mobile phone on Black Friday for $50 and it does everything I need it to do for a flat fee every month that isn’t much more than I was paying for a phone that didn’t do anything. 🙂
I just have a regular phone (though I’d LOVE a smartphone), but I have an iPod touch and can use most apps on it—I have a monthly meal planning/grocery shopping app, apps for budgeting, banking, workouts, books, and keeping track of baby “activities” (which will really come in handy when scheduling my twins naps, feedings when they get here in a few months), etc. It was under $200 and I don’t pay a monthly fee. Most apps are even free. Now, some apps require wifi (which you can get at a lot of places or at home, anyway), but most don’t. The one thing that would be really nice with a smart phone would be live traffic (I live in LA), but I’ve done ok without it so far.
My husband bought me an iTouch for my 40th birthday and I love it! I only have the free apps like “Shop Savvy” on it. I think the monthly contract for smartphones are a real gimmick. We just have basic cell phones/plans. An iPod Touch (iTouch) is basically an iPhone w/o the phone. I use wifi to connect at home and many other places have it was well –like most McDonalds, public librarys, and stores like Sam’s, etc.
For those iPod Touch users, you can use VOIP apps like Skype or Line2 to turn your iPod into an iPhone.
What are some of your favorite apps that you’ve found for free? I’m looking into getting an iPod touch and am wanting it for portability when I’m shopping, away from home, etc. We have wireless at home so that makes it nice!
April, I highly recommend the TotalBaby app for keeping track of baby stuff. I have the iPhone but I’m pretty sure they have an app for most smart phones. I keep track of feedings, sleep, vaccinations, medications, growth, milestones and memories for my two girls all on the one app. You can also keep track of baths, diapers and lots of other things very easily. I have found it invaluable to my sleep deprived sanity. 🙂
I’m having trouble finding TotalBaby in the app store. Is it still active?
I upgraded last December. The smartphone is really neat, but not something I truly utilize.
I’m not as resourceful as many of the Mamas around here but I don’t see how spending up for a Smartphone would save you any money. 🙂 Maybe if you were going to ditch internet service at home but so many sites aren’t mobile friendly (Although I love how this one is!).
Whether or not to get one really depends on your situation. I “need” it to manage my schedule and have a calendar my husband can access at any time (I shock quoted “need” because I realize it’s really a luxury rather than a true necessity, like feeding my kids). I don’t use it for music as my iPod lives in the car except when I’m at the gym and having my phone on the treadmill just seems like a recipe for disaster. Ha ha. I do use a recipe App as well as one for my shopping list but honestly, a piece of paper works just as well. While I’ve grown to love my phone I was dragged into it kicking and screaming. My old phone was a PDA phone combo and I did not have internet service. That doesn’t exist any more. I was told 90% of Verizon phones require internet which I think is a rather convenient way for them to get more money from people. But I’m cranky that way. 😉
I went very old school at Verizon and bought a clamshell phone. Yes, they still make them. I have internet at home and do not feel the need for it elsewhere. My LG has a very good calendar that I can look up info in different ways and I can keep a lot of information for each ‘contact’, including addresses, notes, email info, etc.
I was due for a new phone for a couple years and this cost nothing. My DH, on the other hand HAD to have an iPhone and it besides costing more per month, more for the phone and it is way more technology than he needs or can learn. It does have a good camera. It does not store as much music and podcasts as my old iTouch.
Ha ha, until a month ago I had a 5 y/o 2G Nano. The new one with a whopping 8G feels HUGE!
What has been a big plus with our Droid’s is both of us being able to access our calendar from anywhere. My schedule changes all the time and my husband has a terrible memory so everyday he checks to see what time I need him home from work. Again, this is a complete luxury and I’m not going to claim we “need” the expensive phones. After my husband’s work blocked Google Calendar we had some scheduling snafus that put my husband over the edge into wanting his own Droid. And he does web design so we kind of justify it that way.
We were asking the same question a few months back. Now that I have had my Droid 3 for about 6 weeks, I can definitely say that it is worth the extra monthly cost. I am able to work more efficiently throughout the day, resolving emails and looking up information when it is needed. While out and about, I can research items that I might purchase, look up phone numbers and hours of stores, and save information for future purchases on Evernotes.
You get GPS benefits, that’s a HUGE gas savings, you also get internet access and that always comes handy when you are at the store and want to review a product before purchasing, or compare prices. And when you are bored waiting for someone at the store or anywhere, than you can go to: moneysavingmom.com that simple and practical! I hope it helps 🙂
I don’t understand how having a GPS is a huge gas savings?
I think she meant because she is able to map out the quickest route, which would save mileage/gas.
You are right B. That’s exactly what I meant.
I also use the Gasbuddy app. in order to find the cheapest gas price around in my area or in any where if I’m traveling.
In addition, what about if you get lost finding an address? or Business?
Or that she is not wondering around, lost.
You bet Lynda. Time is money 🙂 too.
I love my smartphone! I live out in the country where you can’t get internet but I can still get it on my phone (go figure). But I seriously do everything on this phone. There is an app for everything you can think of and keep in mind most of the apps are free (android). You pay an extra 20 dollars but can use it as a computer. I do banking, budgeting, make grocery listsn there are tons of fun games to keep kids busy while waiting in say a doctors office. You just have to find what is best for you and decide if its worth it!
For us it was well worth it! Our cell phone company had a 2 for $99 deal ~ unlimited EVERYTHING nationwide. We ditched out landline and had the number ported over to our cell phone so that we didn’t lose it. We also have a phone set we picked up at Costco that is bluetooth compatible, so when we are home, our phone rings through the handset.
Whenever we ‘resign’ our contract with our provider, we are offered the opportunity to get a new phone. Sometimes there is a minimal fee {around the $50 mark}. We happened to renew on Black Friday and both of us got brand new Droid 2’s and our current cell phone contract is now lower than it was earlier ~ and we have a way better plan.
So ~ bottom line is really how much the plans are in your area and if it is worth it for you? It is convenient to have some things on my cell, but I survived without texting or internet on it until a few weeks ago. Depends if the convenience is worth it for you. 🙂
I doubt it will SAVE you money, but you may enjoy the convienences! I am super frugal, and when my hubby suprised me with an Android I was skeptical…but I love it…and it has a Kindle app on it:)
It depends on what phone and plan you go with, I would think. By going with Virgin mobile’s unlimited web and text with 350 min. talk and buying a smartphone without all the latest gadgets and entrapments, I have saved a ton of money. I also use my cell as a GPS quite frequently, and my phone cost less than most GPS systems do (it was $149).
That’s what I have too. Love it.
The only draw back is VM’s limited coverage.
We just bought the Samsung Intercept for $79.99 with the first month free with $35 a month with Virgin Mobile. I am not sure how to get the $25 a month for the unlimited web, texting and 300 minutes a month, if anyone knows how to do that? We had old phones for 3 years and decided it was time and we love the conveniences, and it was $15 less than what we were spending monthly without web browsing.
The $25 plan is an older plan that is no longer offered to new VM customers. Those of us who have the $25 plan have been VM customers for a while and were able to keep the plan.
They used to have a $25/mo plan, but a few months back they bumped it up to $35. Now, only people who were grandfathered in still have the $25/mo plan. We’ve been with them just over a year, and I just upgraded from a Rumor Touch to a Optimus V slider… LOVE it!!!
Also, they use the Sprint network, so you can see their coverage map is the same as VM.
That’s my favorite part about a Smartphone (blackberry, so I’m not as crazy with the apps, but I’ve got the basics):
-free Kindle app that I can use to read free ebooks that I hear about on MSM (Kindle, Nook, etc. would be >$100 at the cheapest),
-Pandora (free radio that you can customize, cheaper than satellite radio and has a very extensive library, but you better have an unlimited data plan if you want to use this much)
Also, an alternative to a smartphone is to get the iPod Touch. There’s no monthly data plan to worry about, just the initial cost, and you can get deals on eBay, etc. if you watch for them, especially refurbished or older models. It’s not a cellphone but you can still use a wireless internet connection to download apps. We use this for my 3-year-old when he’s getting antsy in restaurants, grocery store, or long car/plane trips. There’s so many educational toddler/preschool apps you can buy for only $1, or even try out for free!
I have to agree with Sarah about the iPod Touch as an alternative to a smart phone. I bought one 2 years for my dyslexic son to use for educational apps and I love it as much as he does. But what I love more is what Sarah said–no monthly bill. If what you want are the apps, get an iPod touch.
I just cut my cell phone bill in half by switching to a Straight Talk no-contract plan. For me the $30/month was plenty: 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30 mb of data. Their unlimited plan is $45 if you really need a smart phone. I was also able to select a phone carried on the Verizon network, which I needed. The other option was a phone carried on either the AT&T or the T-Mobile network. By watching the website for a couple of months I found the perfect phone for me for just $19. They have free phones on the website, too, but any free smart phones they carry go fast, in hours.
I would love a Touch also, but the downside is that wifi is not available everywhere, so you most likely could not use internet-based apps in most retail stores (like Kroger or Target….unless it has a Starbucks with free wifi, but you’d have to run across the store to use it).
Yes, if the monthly bill is within your budget. The apps are great (shopkick, gasbuddy, etc.), but even more so the fact that you can learn of and act on deals immediately definitely helps me keep my finances in check 🙂
This question made me laugh! I think you’d be hard pressed to save the money with apps that you’d spend upgrading. Though, if you do choose to upgrade, please be sure to purchase a refurbished phone as cell phones contain coltan (an element which is mined primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo and supports conflict there).
Great reminder on the coltan issue. Gorillas live in that habitat and are severely suffering from the mining activity. Recycling cell phones is also a good way to minimize that.
Very good point! Thanks for posting this. I just got a new iPhone and I wish I knew this. I would definitely have gotten a refurbished one. Our awesome Digital Camera I got refurbished. It was less expensive and works great!
I am actually going to get rid of my Iphone. I am home most of the time and the few times a smart phone was useful just don’t make up for the cost over a year.
Good question – thanks for asking!
My current phone is almost 6 years old and about 4 months ago something went wrong so the only way it works is if I use a corded earpiece (no bluetooth compatibility for this phone!)
I think it may be time to get a new phone 🙂 and have been weighing the pros and cons of going with another bare-bones phone vs. something more. So, I’m very interested in what everybody has to say.
I love my Android as well and have found a lot of ways to save money by using it. One of my favorite ways is by having MSM’s coupon database bookmarked on my phone. If I’m at the store & find an unadvertised or clearance deal, I’m able to check & see if there’s a coupon to go with it. (Oooh, maybe someone will come up with a coupon database app!) There really are a lot of apps too, that help. I’m able to use a meal planner & a budgeting app that I would otherwise have to pay for. My GPS is invaluable to me b/c I’m terrible with my sense of direction!! 🙂
One way that we save on our cell phone bill is by having my husband’s parents & brother on our plan. We all split the bill & it saves us all money! If you have anyone you trust, that may be a good option for you!
You can get a Straight Talk smart phone through Walmart – they have the Droid, and in our area the smart phone uses AT&T/Sprint towers.
I love my Android. The biggest way I save with it is by using an app for my shopping lists. My husband and I each have the app and we can sync the lists. We use Out of Milk Pro and can put in the price of each item and have it calculate tax. Big help that prevents return trips to the store!
Also, check with your mobile provider. My husband and I receive a percentage off our bill each month because the company he works for is a partner. This generally applies as well if you or your husband work for the government. Another tip is to ask for a “loyalty” package if you’ve been with your provider for a long time and have a good history with them. We were able to get our data packages for a fraction of the normal cost simply because we asked.
I recently looked into this. With our carrier, Verizon, it was an additional $30 a month per phone for the data package. I could not justify the expense.
I pay $25 a month at Virgin Mobile for unlimited web and text and 350 mins a month. I don’t use my phone for talking as much as I use it for texting or GPS navigation, so this plan is perfect for me and way cheaper than any other cell plan even if you go talk only. My smartphone is the Optimus V and cost me $149 when I bought it, but I think it’s on sale for $99. I will probably never go back to a conventional cell phone provider again (love not having a contract!).
what are the downsides to virgin mobile… i don’t have a smartphone, and i’ve always been with at&t but we would love to find something cheaper because we really only use our phones to call/text each other and a few friends/family. would it be $25 more for each additional line? or is each phone considered a separate account?
Just make sure you check their service before going to them. Some places have more coverage than others. This is the only reason we didn’t go with them.
I loved Virgin mobile in Illinois. The coverage was great. I had the 25 dollar a month plan and it was perfect. You can even buy a smartphone that is a virgin mobile and get it used and cheap on ebay.
We moved to Texas and the coverage was awful :(. They did reimburse me the month that I had paid for and the customer service was great.
Now I have T-Mobile through Wal-mart. I now pay 30 dollars a month and only get 100 talk minutes…as long as I am careful this is fine as I mostly use texting, email and gps.
If the coverage is good in your area I highly recommend it!
i’m using tracfone, i got mine on amazon (LG800G) for $120 total – which gave me 1200 minutes (texts cost .3 minute ea), 1 year of service, plus the phone. you can actually get it cheaper on amazon too. the phone has triple minutes for life built in, so next year i will only buy 400 minutes & actually get 1200 + additional year service. good connection in my area too, and it’s a no contract plan.
I just got that phone to sort of try out to see if I would use a smart phone enough to really justify buying a “real” one, but I like it enough that I will keep it for a while. My plan is $35/mth unlimited text, data, and some minutes that are more than what I will use. It seems cheaper than most of the conventional data plans I have looked into as well.
This is the plan I have too and we love it. I use the Optimus V. We have had good coverage so far (where we live).
I have this also, and love it.
I rarely call anyone, so it works perfect for me. Not the fastest speed sometimes, but it was cheaper than a bundle package on my home phone, cable and internet, and my then trac fone cell phone. Got rid of cable and landline phone, and haven’t looked back. I have saved over 800 dollars since switching everything. I can check facebook, emails, read on my kindle ap etc. while waiting in lines/for appointments. I would never go back to a “dumb” phone.
We too use the Virgin Mobile plan. The Optimus V is a highly ranked Android 2.3 phone. We were grandfathered in on the 25$ plan but they recently upped it to 35$. Best Buy has the Optimus on sale for 65$. I bought my husband one for Christmas (we’ve been using our little Jaxs) and when I saw that price reduction, I went straight to the store. Because I bought it more than 30 days ago they won’t do a price match. Oh well. I picked it up for 85 using Plastic Jungle, Fatwallet cash back and coupon codes. We live in Boston and have awesome coverage. We just moved from the South (Tennessee) and had great coverage there, as well as all over Virginia and Georgia.
Totally not related to the phone, but we just moved from TN to Boston! Crazy!
EXACTLY. We use Verizon too & have the same exact issue. I can’t justify the data plan; it’s just too much money even if I use the smartphone features to access apps that compare prices store to store. And Verizon has the best coverage here. I really need my phone to be able to get good reception, so having Verizon as a cell provider is worth it.
However, what I do instead is use a feature on my Palm Tungsten E2(yes, you read that right; it’s not the most recent technology but it works). It’s got Documents to Go on it which lets you download Excel files to it. I made up my own price list in Excel & put it on my Palm, so if I have a question about if a price is cheaper in one store, I look at my spreadsheet to see where I last bought it & the price it was listed at. It’s been a lifesaver & has been GREAT to use. These Palms are no longer in production, but I’m sure you can get one on ebay for a great price.
OK, after reading some of the below posts, let me clarify something. Time IS money and being more efficient DOES save time. That being said, there are a lot of things I wish I could do but can’t without a smartphone. For example, all good internet sites (like my personal email) are blocked at work. So, unless I unplug my work laptop & lug it somewhere with wifi at lunch, I can’t read my email. Also, I use Google calendar exclusively (I was using the calendar on my Palm, but using Google calendar lets my hubby & I see each other’s calendars so we avoid scheduling conflicting engagements), so unless I have immediate access to a calendar, I can’t always schedule something; I have to get back with the person later.
Also, something people have mentioned on here, using a smartphone as a GPS is huge. I don’t use a GPS, so I didn’t think of that, but using your smartphone means you’re not paying hundreds of dollars to upgrade your GPS device occasionally. I know you can now buy some GPS that come with lifetime updates, but not even having to buy the GPS at all is nice too.
For me, the smartphone is definitely worth it. I am a dance teacher in the DC area so I used to carry around an iPod that I needed for teaching, a GPS to help me get around (I was on my 4th because they kept getting stolen out of my car…), a camera so I’d always have one handy when my son did something cute, plus my old crummy phone that didn’t hold a charge well and was extremely difficult to text on. Now I have an iphone and have been able to combine all these devices into one which has saved me so much time and hassle which is worth a LOT of money to me. We waited until the renewal on our plan was up so we were able to get a good deal on it and I have a super protective cover for it rather than paying for the expensive insurance.
Now I never forget the camera on the charging dock, leave the GPS in the car to get stolen, have cords getting tangled in my purse, etc. Plus were able to bless a friend who desperately needed a GPS with my old one and my techie husband was very excited to have my old iPod touch for some sort of audio control project he’s working on. I don’t know that I can say it’s saved me a ton of money but totally 100% worth it.
(I also use the grocery list ap that syncs with my husband’s phone that someone else mentioned!)