i need advice re: cellphones

i don't have a cellphone and i really don't want one, but i've been thinking about getting something for emergencies. i don't need anything with all the bells and whistles and an app to jerk you off, i just need something that i can place a call on if my landline is out.
i've read about prepaid phones and i've read about throw away phones. does anyone have experience with either one and where do you buy them?
is it possible to jsut buy a phone that works without all of the contract crap and extended plans?

all advice will be sincerely appreciated!
By rae121452 | 09/20/2013 11:23 AM | 11 comments
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  • I don't know about Tracfone, but Boost and Virgin Mobile have noncontract smartphones. They aren't the latest fanciest models but they work just fine. More expensive upfront though. And yeah, once you have a smartphone, you won't go back:-)
    BearinFW 09/23/2013 02:54 PM
  • I resisted smart phones for a long time. Since 1996 just had a simple phone. Then in 2011 my partner got an iPad from his employer. The next day I went and got an iPhone. I used to be one of those guys who laughed and sneered at those who were forever diddling the toys in their palm. Now I'm one of them. I love this Kool-Aid!
    PDQuesnell 09/23/2013 12:33 PM
  • thank you to all who provided the expert feedback! sounds like i'll be making a trip to walmart and the other stores suggested, this week, to scope out for deals. this is a big step for me because i'm REALLY anti-cellphone.

    and dave, i did check into the free cellphone deal. to qualify, i would have to go on medicaid. and to go on medicaid, i would have to pay human services 1/3 of my monthly benefits for coverage. i have 14 months till i'm eligible for medicare and i'm just trying to hang on till that's available. meanwhile, it's cheaper for me to pay medical costs out of pocket instead of relying on medicaid.

    once again, many thanks for the needed advice!
    rae121452 09/22/2013 12:36 PM
  • have only ever used tracfone (that's how it is spelled) and have no complaints. If you do go with them, the perks you add to your phone only stay with the physical phone. For example, my first $10 motorola phone had double your minutes for life - but when the phone died, so did the double minutes. Actually the phone didn't die, the battery gave up the ghost after about 4 years. But I wanted one with slightly larger buttons anyway - so I bought the samsung for $10 and added double minutes to it - have been using it for almost 4 years now. It has wonderful battery life I leave mine on for four or five days without needing to recharge. The fancier phones (with the qwerty keyboard and camera capabilities) usually cost more per text message (you buy "units" and mine uses 0.3 units per text message both to send and receive - unless it is a long text message, then it costs 0.5 units) You can also use the tracfone in conjunction with calling cards if you need to call internationally.
    johnnyc411 09/21/2013 01:09 PM
  • SO, RAE, after all this data, what did U decide?-
    ilikemeninjocks 09/21/2013 11:46 AM
  • Have had virginmobile for years. When I worked graveyard, had to drive long deserted stretches. So got one for safety purposes. Outside of the cost of the phone ($35 for a smasung with a keyboard) costs me $80.00 for the year. Other people at work had tracphone and were happy.
    jacker 09/20/2013 07:21 PM
  • Tracfone and Boost are probably your best bets. Stay away from contract phones.They're $80 a month minimum. Many retailers, including Walmart, Target and Best Buy, carry pre-paids.
    BearinFW 09/20/2013 05:21 PM
  • Check out http://www.virginmobileusa.com/

    and http://www.tracfone.com/

    Radio Shack, Staples, big chain drug stores like CVS and Walgreens all have sales on pay-as-you-go phones. Try http://www.amazon.com/ and type "prepaid phones" in the search box. They have great deals there.

    Good luck!
    skibear 09/20/2013 03:53 PM
  • Check to see if you qualify for free service. safelink.com Get a phone and 250 free minutes each month. If not track phone is your best bet.
    fenwaydav 09/20/2013 12:48 PM
  • About 10-12 years ago I decided that everyone would soon have a cell phone. So I bought ATT, Verizon, CenturyLink, Sprint stock but didn't get my own cell phone, too parsimonious for that. Then about 4 years ago I got two flats out in the country and had to walk 4 miles to call AAA. The following day I bought a cellphone. Just an oyster which had no texting, pics or apps. It was just a cellphone for use in emergencies such as 2 flats on a country road. You can buy them at Best Buy, Walmart or a number of other places. I did upgrade to a real cell phone when I bought this place and decided not to get a land line. Can't imagine how I functioned without one but I did.

    Most of the pre-paids have month to month contracts which is essentially no contract. They cost varies, some research will save you big bucks.
    txholdup 09/20/2013 11:51 AM
  • U need one for emergencies. I have a Trackfone and it works quite well and is VERY cheap. Oh, there are calling plans out there are cheaper but they DO involve the "contract" that U want to avoid.

    Google Trackfone (IF THE MODERATOR WILL ALLOW ME TO SAY THAT). Get a full key board, style. Samsung makes one. Will run about $35.00 in a Target or Walmart or get on line. Comes with 20 minutes of phone time. Buy more minutes at a whole bunch of places (drug stores, on line, Target, super markets). Look at the cost of ADDING minutes to the phone. Consider getting a triple minutes phone.

    Look carefully at the cost of calling, receiving, texring, using the internet, sending pictures, videos, etc.

    I have been generally happy with my initial purchase (over 5 years ago) and have stuck with the same company. They are reasonably responsive and available for trouble shooting, etc.

    While I still have a land line, the cell has been VERY CONVENIENT.

    U can be up and running with a decent cell phone with 620 minutes and 90 days of service for about $80. $40 phone (triple muniutes style) + $40 (200 minutes card).

    Let us know how U make out.
    ilikemeninjocks 09/20/2013 11:47 AM