looking for a cheap prepaid phone

[etrin]

I am in Little Rock Ar and need a cheap prepaid phone. I don't use but about 20-30 minutes a month on my AT&T and they are charging me $40.

I need something for in town and emergency only.
Something I don't loose minutes at the end of the month type thing.
I just want to pay as I use up my minutes.

 

[gsaldivar]

If you buy your groceries at Kroger store (Kroger, FredMeyer, Smiths, Ralphs, CityMarket, Bakers, Fry's, WFC, Dillons, KingSoopers, Gorbes, etc...), you can get 20 mins free on their prepaid phones for every $100 you spend at their stores. Then its 20 cents per minute on their $0/month plan or 10 cents per minute on the $5/month plan. Pretty nice if you shop for a family. If you are creative, you can add several shopping cards onto your account and farm free minutes from your friends & family whenever they shop.

https://www.iwirelesshome.com/whyus/freeminutes/

The phones are $20-60 in most stores, and you can buy them online also. They usually bundle free minutes which make the cost of the phones effectively free. One interesting feature is that you get unlimited incoming text messages for free. The phones all use CDMA/Sprint network.

Any prepaid phone will force you to periodically buy minutes in order to keep the account open. I think the minimum on the Kroger phones in the form of prepaid cards is approx. $10 for 60days or $20 for 90days. Your existing credits and minutes will rollover, but regardless of how much you actually use, you need to purchase that amount within that time period to keep the number and account open. This can be done on credit card using their website if you prefer.

Also - if you just need a phone strictly for emergencies. You don't have to pay a dime. Any old cell phone you have should still be able to dial 911, even if its no longer activated etc...

Good luck!

 

[mshan]

If you have good Verizon coverage in your area, Page Plus Cellular --> http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/957492/

http://www.cellguru.net/prepaid_compare.htm

 

[waffleironhead]

I just bought a tracfone. I got the T301G for 19.99 at target(regularly 29.99). the phone doubles any minutes you add, plus came with 60 days of service. I also got a year activation card with 400 minutes for $99.

The phone also came with a coupon book for an extra 200 minutes when I added the year card. So with the 200 minutes plus the 400 minute card that was doubled.
i ended up paying 119.00 for a year and two months of service and 1000 minutes.
thats less than $10 a month and ~70 minutes a month. Not the best deal for everyone, but more than enough for me.

 

[applepearwine]

I just ordered a Virgin Mobile, Rumor Touch. Should have it in a couple days. The phone itself is pricey for a prepaid phone, but the plan is reasonable. (they have way cheaper ones than the touch) Just go to virgin mobile's webpage. Check out the $25.00 a month plan. free everything except voice. and there are different plans to cover your voice needs. the $25.00 plan covers 300 minutes. I will probably get the $40.00 or $60.00 plan and let my landline go away.

Perry