| e myriad of cell phone plans that are available | | | | Clubs/Organizations/Extracurricular Activities |
| through the various carriers today, it can be a bit | | | | — Whether you work out at the gym |
| of a challenge to muddle through it all, trying to | | | | twice each week, attend an art class or belong to |
| find the best package for your family. Each has | | | | a bridge club, you have the potential to meet a |
| their own special set of perks that are offered, in | | | | large number of people who use cellular phones |
| order to entice potential customers to purchase a | | | | and can speak to you about their options |
| contract and commit themselves to a particular | | | | packages. Keep in mind that learning about what |
| amount of time with the company. Although | | | | they use is only half of the research — |
| you’d be hard-pressed to find a carrier | | | | getting information about what plans didn’t |
| that locks you in for more than two years | | | | work for them is the other half. Sometimes, |
| — those days are gone — | | | | carriers make a product look great but, when put |
| you’re still committing your patronage for | | | | to practical use, it’s found to be failing. |
| a designated amount of time, and — that | | | | Online Community — Lots of information |
| being the case — will have a bit of | | | | can be found online regarding cell phone service |
| research to do before settling on a specific | | | | plans, and one of the best ways to find |
| package. Where do you begin? | | | | information about specific carriers and their plans |
| Work the Room | | | | is to search for cell phone reviews. These are |
| One of the best ways to gather information on | | | | easily found — by simply typing cell |
| any product is to solicit the opinions of others | | | | phone review into the keyword area of your |
| who have used it at one time or another. Since | | | | favorite search engine — and offer the |
| cell phones are such a hot commodity today, and | | | | added benefit of being up-to-date and usually fairly |
| everyone who uses one must purchase some | | | | specific regarding the assets and liabilities of the |
| type of cell phone plan in order to use it, then | | | | packages’ particulars. |
| there’s a lot of information that’s | | | | Compiling the Data |
| available to you in virtually any place where | | | | It’s important to keep in mind that there |
| you’ll be exposed to others — in | | | | are lots of different types of plans that are |
| other words, everywhere. | | | | available, so there’s a lot more research to |
| Extended Family — Since family members | | | | do be done than may be immediately apparent. |
| often chat with each other at some point during | | | | For instance, the term cell phone plan is |
| the day via cell phone, check with other family | | | | very generic, since there are various types of |
| members who are outside your home to see | | | | service; so when it’s time to compare cell |
| which plan they use and how well it works for | | | | phone plans, you’ll have to consider each |
| them. Depending upon their circumstances, of | | | | type of service that’s offered through |
| course, the plan that they have might not be | | | | each carrier. Among the many things that |
| tailored to the needs of your family, but | | | | you’ll have to examine are prepaid cell |
| it’s a good starting point. | | | | phone plans, no contract cell phone plans, |
| Friends — Although many folks have a | | | | pay as you go mobile phones and internet |
| very limited number of extended family members | | | | phone service. Once you’ve narrowed it |
| in their immediate area, most have a wide variety | | | | down to the specific type of cell phone service |
| of friends from which to gather information. | | | | that you prefer, then you’ll have to take |
| It’s in your best interests, therefore, to | | | | the particular features into consideration. These |
| find out what works best for them. If their | | | | may include long distance plans, multiple phone |
| families’ needs are similar to yours, you | | | | options, free minutes packages and |
| can get a gold mine of information that might help | | | | mobile-to-mobile options, to name a few. |
| you to select the best family cell phone plan from | | | | In order to weave your way through all of the |
| among the many that are offered in your | | | | information that you’ve collected, |
| particular area. | | | | it’s best to list the cellular phone carriers |
| Neighbors — If you’re the type that | | | | that you’ve examined, listing each option |
| doesn’t barricade yourself from the | | | | and its specifics. Once this list has been compiled, |
| neighbors with tall hedges that serve to | | | | then it’s time to decide what type of cell |
| discourage communication, then you’re | | | | phone coverage is necessary in order to meet |
| probably in the position to check with those who | | | | your particular needs. Through the good |
| are living around you about which local carriers | | | | old-fashioned process of elimination, most of your |
| offer good family plans. Since most people today | | | | work will be done before you make the attempt |
| carry this type of device, then the chances are | | | | to contact any of the cellular phone companies. |
| good that you’ll come up with something | | | | When you get to that point, you might also be |
| worthwhile. | | | | surprised by a few specials that are being offered |
| Co-Workers — One of the main reasons | | | | at the time, which will end up saving you even |
| that adults invest in cell phones today is to keep | | | | more on your monthly cell phone bill. |
| in touch with family members during the time | | | | Taking the Shortest Route |
| when they’re at work or are traveling on | | | | Since finding a solid cell phone plan for your family |
| work-related business. Therefore, finding a great | | | | can require a good deal of time and effort, you |
| family cell phone plan is a real priority for them, | | | | may wish to consider taking a bit of a shortcut |
| and you can cash in on the research that | | | | when it comes to information gathering. Rather |
| they’ve already done. Keep in mind that | | | | than approaching everyone on an individual basis, |
| their particular carrier may not be available in your | | | | for instance, you might think of having a |
| area, but chances are good that they are, since | | | | get-together — maybe even a cell |
| most people don’t have an overly long | | | | phone party! |
| commute to and from work each day. | | | | |