| Family time and communication are just as | | | | AT&T for example offers family plans that |
| important today as they were 100 years ago. As | | | | start at a very affordable $39.99 per month. |
| with everything in life, technology and modes of | | | | Plans include unlimited calling to other AT&T |
| communication have evolved. Today's technology | | | | customers, nights and weekends and no roaming. |
| offers families the opportunity to keep in touch | | | | They allow your unused minutes to roll over to |
| quite easily and quickly. | | | | the next month. |
| Cellular phones come in many shapes, sizes and | | | | One of Sprint's biggest sellers is the Everything |
| technologies. Features once thought impossible are | | | | Data Family plan. As the name suggests, it offers |
| now easily accessible. Business owners often | | | | a bit of everything. Unlimited data includes web |
| carry multiple mobile devices to keep up with | | | | surfing, e-mail, BlackBerry Internet, GPS and much |
| business, leisure activities and family. Tech-giant | | | | more. The plan starts at $129.99 per month and |
| Google is getting in on the action by offering a | | | | includes 2 lines. Additional lines are a very nice |
| way to combine all of your calling into one | | | | $19.99 per month. Families looking for a great |
| convenient number. | | | | messaging plan may benefit from Sprint's $99.99 |
| Special Offers to Consider | | | | Everything Messaging Family cell plan. The plan |
| Free Text Messaging: Many of the leading | | | | offers unlimited text, photo and video messaging. |
| companies offer free unlimited text messaging as | | | | Verizon Wireless claims to have "America's |
| a feature. Consider adding it for convenience; | | | | Largest Mobile to Mobile Calling Family" because |
| especially if you purchase a family cell plan that | | | | they allow free mobile to mobile regardless of |
| includes teenagers. The number-one reason most | | | | network. Verizon's family plans start at $69.99 for |
| parents pay a large cellular bill is text messaging. | | | | two lines. Each additional feature and line adds to |
| Free Mobile to Mobile: Your family cell plan will likely | | | | the monthly cost of the service. |
| be purchased from one company. The major | | | | Prepaid Cell Phone Deals |
| companies offer free mobile to mobile within | | | | People with spotty credit histories or no credit |
| network. Expand your calling potential with a | | | | history at all benefit from prepaid plans offered |
| company that offers free mobile to mobile | | | | by the major companies. A prepaid cell plan is just |
| regardless of the network. | | | | that; no monthly commitment, no up-front fees |
| Free Activation: Activation charges are often $20 | | | | and no credit check. With a prepaid plan your |
| or higher per device. Activation fees for a family | | | | biggest investment is the mobile device itself. |
| of four would be $80, minimum. This fee cuts into | | | | Alltel recently offered free activation with the |
| the overall price that may be spent on the total | | | | online purchase of any phone and prepaid plan. |
| order. Don't let expensive activation fees deter | | | | Prepaid cell plans often include free texting and |
| your decision to purchase cellular service. | | | | other features may be added for a fee. Pay as |
| Free Cellular Phones: Major cellular companies offer | | | | you go is very convenient for anyone on a |
| the best deals on the nicest mobile devices. A one | | | | budget or those who are unable to qualify for a |
| to two year contract may even net you a free | | | | contract. |
| cell phone. Some family plans offer a two-for-one | | | | Talk Within Your Budget |
| deal which allows you to pay full price for one | | | | Teach your family the importance of money by |
| mobile device and get a second for free. | | | | entrusting them with phones that you control. |
| Companies that Offer the Best Cell Phone Deals | | | | Children and teens don't often realize they're |
| AT&T, T Mobile, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and | | | | sending so many text messages or talking to |
| Alltel are considered giants in the cellular | | | | their friends for so long. Parental controls keep |
| technology industry. Each company offers | | | | your money within your control. |
| something unique to try to win customers. | | | | |