Monday 2 May 2011

Which Cell Phone Plan Is For You?

By Gary Blunt


Studies show that just over 91% of Americans are now using cell phones. But not only are they using them just to talk, they are text messaging and accessing the Internet as well. It is anticipated that within the next two years the remaining 9% will also join in with what was once thought of as a "passing fad." Cell phones are here to stay and are improving with each new model, offering more and more applications to keep us all connected and moving along the internet superhighway as fast as we can. There are three types of plans. Individual, Family, and Prepaid. All plans consist of "minutes" which means the amount of time they talk, text or use any of the thousands of applications available.

People who use their phones regularly are more likely to opt for an Individual plan. A one or two year contract is signed and they are given a set amount of minutes to talk, text or use any other applications attached to their plan. If they do go over their allotted cache of minutes, they are charged a fee and pay for each additional phone call. It can add up fairly quickly, so be certain of what you are getting.

Family plans are for families - or for two or more people in a group - who want to save their minutes by pooling them together, rather than using minutes individually. Again, a contract of one or two years is required. They can be quite economical, but it's hard to keep track of how many hours each person is using. You can quickly go over your own limit of purchased minutes, resulting again in additional fees.

Prepaid plans are also for one person, and can be the best choice for those who like to "pay as they go." It is also recommended for people who have less than stellar credit, as it assures you that you will have enough minutes before your need runs out. You determine a set amount for every month, while some other plans allow you to pay whenever you want. It's really a great deal for those people who only use cell phones now and then, or only for emergencies.

Take the time to investigate the various options available to you as a cell phone user. Only you can determine what will fit your lifestyle and how much you can afford. Don't lock yourself into a two-year plan that only ends up costing you more money than you can afford, because having a contract canceled will definitely appear on your credit report as a debt.




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