need help on getting a low cost cell phone w/no contract

[spring11]

I'm looking to get either a low cost monthly plan or a pay per useage phone for my son who started to drive for him to contact me when needed. I havent had time to shop around but I'm trying to find something that has no contract. Any ideas?

[livvie25us]

Boost seems to be a good carrier depending on what you are looking for and how expensive

[Dogmom5]

Virgin Mobile has great plans.

[CurtisBeers]

I got a Ready Mobile prepaid cell phone at CVS for free after using coupons and ECB's. It is normally $19.95.
The monthly cost is $20 for text messages and phone calls which I have never gone over (they do have a $30 monthly plan if you use it frequently).
It works so much better than my AT&T phone did....no dropped calls, no missed calls, etc.
It is nice not having a surprise on a monthly bill and not having to be locked into a 2-year contract.

[Marie5656]

I have a TracFone. You can buy minutes from 30 days to a year at a time. I also paid a one time fee for lifetime double minutes. So everytime I buy a card for , say 400 minutes..I automatically get 800. I also got a code during my birthday month for a free 30 minutes....which got doubled when I activated the code.

[floridaclipper]

I had virgin mobile. Rates were pretty low but I was unhappy with the phones. The volume and ring tone were not loud enough for us ( hearing impared so probably not an issue for you). I currently have AT&T go phone service no contract. I'm happy with the wide coverage range. They have a variety of plans. I use it for emergency only so another plan may better suit a teen. The one I have is $1 only on the days you use the phone and free minutes to any AT&T mobile phone any time. Text is .20 & photos are .25 data plan is avail but I use those features so seldom it wasnt worth it to me. Both of our phones came with $25 added to your account when you activate it. Lots of refurbs avail and if not a go phone any AT&T can be converted to one. A convienent feature is that cvs sells reloadable cards for them. After the first time you won't have to go though the process it get it on your account. It remembers which phone account to apply the funds. I haven't had issues wth dropped calls in my area.

[Bear]

My so many choices. I have a TMobile prepaid phone. The main reason I choose TMobile is because once you buy $100 in minutes then you are a gold member and your minutes do not expire for one year. I do not use my phone much so this works well for me. As long as I refill my phone with at least $10 yearly then any remaining minutes carry over to the next year and my minutes do not expire for another year. Most other prepaid phones require refilling with minutes every 90 days. I have been averaging about $25 a year for my phone. $0.10 minute, $0.10 text.

I bought DS16B the same phone, which was great at first, but then he started texting and it was costing me much more. I just changed his TMobile prepaid plan to $15/month for unlimited texts and $0.10/minute phone. Since he rarely makes calls this is cheaper for him.

Just remember prepaid phones typically do not have as big of a service area as contract phones. I live near a big city so I do not have a problem at home or work, however, when we travel to more rural locations I do not have service when DH's Verizon contract phone usually does.

[mnm'z]

I have the Boost pay-down... It starts out at $50/month unlimited coverage. All phone calls, texts and web are unlimited and for every 6 "on-time" payments your monthly charge goes down by $5. I am currently at the $45 level and in a couple of months I'll be paying $40 and 6 months later I can go down to $35/month. That is the lowest it'll go.

But, before you choose any plan or carrier, make sure the service coverage is where you will need it. I can get MetroPCS for $25/month, BUT, when we travel to MIL's house or to the cottage, we'd lose service on the highway between destinations. That would do me no good... traveling is when you'd need it. Just double check the area's before you pick a carrier.

[tiggy]

I use metropcs. I use my phone for work and personal. Prepaid is not an option for me, unlimited works better. I have two phones and pay $91 a month. Everything is unlimited and we can go online. I don't get good service at my house but no one else does either no matter who they use. I'm close to a tower and have been told we are in a pocket. I see people outside on phones all the time. The att guy was here fixing my landline and internet(again!) and his service was bad too.

I can tell you from experience, most teenagers will go over the limit if you choose prepaid minutes. I would look around and if you do choose prepaid make sure it is easy to pay and from a well known company.

[lakurek99]

I have a Tracfone and love it! I bought my current Tracfone at Target on sale for $20 and it came with double minutes for life. I buy a 60 minute card every 3 months for $21.59 with tax. I aways search for promo codes that give additional minutes--usually can find an additional 20 minutes for free. I use my phone very little, so for me $7 a month is perfect. I've never had a problem with dropped calls or no service. Texts cost .30 of a minute and photos cost 1 unit.