| Cell phones have become a big part of our lives | | | | phone, so that you can choose the right amount |
| and it seems like everyone has one. They enable | | | | of minutes on the plan. This is also good for |
| us to stay contact with our friends and family | | | | families, since many providers will allow you to |
| members, as well as call for help if there's an | | | | share your minutes with other family members. |
| emergency while on the road. There are 6 main | | | | This way you won't have to have multiple phone |
| providers of cell phone service. They are Alltel, | | | | accounts. |
| Verizon, Cricket, Cingular, T-Mobile and US Cellular. | | | | Prepaid Cell Phones |
| With so many providers competing for your | | | | Another option is prepaid cell phones. These |
| business, it can be very difficult to choose the | | | | phones are good to give to children. Many parents |
| one that's best for you. Consider the different | | | | give cell phones to their children, so that they |
| types of plans that these companies offer to help | | | | check up on them. It also gives the child the ability |
| make the choice easier. | | | | to call for help should an emergency arise. The |
| Package Plans | | | | problem is that children may use the phone to call |
| The first thing to consider when choosing your | | | | their friends and go over the minutes on the |
| plan is what you will primarily use the cell phone | | | | calling plan. This can result in large phone bills. By |
| for. If you are going to use it for your main | | | | giving a child a prepaid cell phone, they are limited |
| source of communication, then it's best to choose | | | | in the number of calls they can make and there's |
| a package plan. These plans include not only | | | | no worry about breaking the bank when the bill |
| daytime minutes but offer other features, such | | | | arrives. |
| as no roaming charges, free long distance and | | | | As you make your plan comparisons with the |
| free nights and weekend minutes. Make sure to | | | | providers, ask about what specials they are |
| ask what time the free night minutes begin, since | | | | offering. The competition between them is fierce |
| they vary from company to company. Naturally, | | | | and many run special promotions where you can |
| you will want the one that starts the earliest. | | | | get a free or low cost phone and a good plan at |
| Anytime Minutes Plans | | | | an excellent price. Also, if you are going to be |
| Packages that offer just anytime minutes might | | | | traveling to another part of the country, make |
| be more cost effective, if you will be using your | | | | sure that there is a signal available there. |
| house phone when returning home at night and | | | | By knowing the type of plan that you need and |
| during the weekends. These plans offer a set | | | | doing your research, you will be better able to |
| price for the amount of minutes that you choose. | | | | pick the plan that's right for you. |
| Determine how often you think you will use this | | | | |