| The number of people buying no-contract prepaid | | | | #3. Boost Mobile |
| cell phone services has been increasing rapidly in | | | | #4. Virgin Mobile |
| the last year according to various newspaper | | | | #5. Alltel |
| reports. More and more, people are realizing that | | | | #6. T-Mobile To Go |
| this is a great alternative to regular | | | | If you are interested in a solid and basic prepaid |
| contract-based plans. There are no annual | | | | cell phone, Net 10 and TracFone are best bets. |
| commitments, credit checks or cancellation | | | | For fancier phones, I would recommend |
| penalties. Buying prepaid cell phone services is | | | | companies like Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and |
| flexible and easy - for as little as $10, you buy | | | | T-Mobile. |
| and own the cell phone outright and then prepay | | | | 3. Get a clear picture of your cell phone usage |
| only for the service time that you plan to use. | | | | level or the usage level of your family members if |
| The problem is that as more companies are now | | | | you are buying this for everyone in the household. |
| offering prepaid cell phone services with different | | | | How many minutes do you use for talking on the |
| options, it has become confusing for consumers | | | | cell phone each month? What about text |
| to shop for the best deals. To simplify your | | | | messaging? Do you need roaming service so you |
| prepaid cell phone shopping, here are 4 tips that | | | | can make calls when you are travelling? Do you |
| will help you: | | | | have other needs like international calling? There is |
| 1. Do your research online. With prepaid cell | | | | no one single "best" plan out there that caters to |
| phones available in nationwide stores like Walmart, | | | | all needs. Some plans work better for some while |
| Target and 7-11, you can easily pop into any of | | | | something else will work better for others. Only |
| these stores and get a phone and phone usage | | | | with a clear understanding of your needs will you |
| cards. However, you will generally find a wider | | | | be able to pick the best prepaid plan for you and |
| selection of phones and better prices online. Even | | | | your family members. |
| if you plan on buying something at a retail store, | | | | 4. Check out both the phones and the price of |
| at least check out your options online first to | | | | usage. Once you have gone through the websites |
| make sure you are not missing out on anything | | | | and checked out a couple of phones that you like, |
| major. | | | | also factor in how much it will cost to keep the |
| 2. Check out the top prepaid phone companies. | | | | phone running. Getting a complete picture will allow |
| Nowadays, many phone companies are jumping | | | | you make a better purchase. If you are a heavy |
| on the prepaid bandwagon because of its | | | | phone user, consider unlimited or high volume |
| popularity. One way to cut through the confusion | | | | monthly plans from Boost Mobile or MetroPCS. If |
| of offerings is to review what is available with | | | | you are a light to moderate user, TracFone with |
| one or two top recognized players and use their | | | | its Double Minutes for Life benefit offers flexible |
| standards as a purchase benchmark. According | | | | refill options that go as low as 10 cents a minute. |
| the JD Power and Associates' 2009 Prepaid | | | | Net10 always charges 10 cents a minute to use |
| Wireless study, the top prepaid cell phone | | | | its service and have plans starting at $15 a month. |
| companies in order of rank are: | | | | Using these 4 tips, you will have a fast start in |
| #1. Net10 (award winner) | | | | choosing and purchasing a prepaid cell phone |
| #2. TracFone | | | | package that works for you. |