Frugal Living: Cutting Internet and Cellphone Costs

Little is more important these days than staying connected via the internet or cell phone. Anywhere you go, people are connected.

I am not underestimating the importance of being connected. On the contrary, I just believe we should be connected in the cheapest and best way possible. I also believe kids should pay for their own personal connections. I used to pay cell phone bills but right before they took us to the poor house for good we wised up.

Internet Plan

Our Internet make over is not so much saving money as finding the best and cheapest option for the time being. Last year when we had to say good bye to our $200 + dollar a month cable, internet and home phone package, we had some quick thinking to do.

I researched cheap Internet prices and AT&T was offering a special where you got the medium speed (which is the best available in my area anyway) DSL Internet for $14.99 a month, no home phone required.. WOW! I was paying like $60 a month for Cable Internet. We'd had DSL before and I personally like DSL better than cable anyway. So for the last 10 months I've had a $14.99 Internet bill. It was a 12 month special, so what will happen in a couple of months? Who knows. But I know I can bargain and shop around if that's what I have to do. I'll let you know how it goes. Even if I have to pay full price for my AT & T Internet, it could be worse. It's only $45 a month vs $60 with cable.

If anyone out there has a suggestion for cheap Internet please let me know. I believe AT&T has that special going on still. At least it helps you get your feet on the ground if you just realized you were spending like a Congressman.

Cell Phones, Contracts and Tracfone

After paying the cell phone bills for six people for 5 years we finally wised up. We cancelled our Cellular South contract, although they were pretty good providers and the most reasonable priced service we could find with a contract, they were still too expensive. With no phone and great communication needs, we looked in to Straighttalk. This is the service my husband has now. They phones are basic but the plans are great. It's $45 a month plus tax for unlimited calling, texting and Internet browsing. The phone cost $39.99 and it is web enabled. UPDATE** Recently straighttalk has gotten some android phones and other goodies. Check them out at http://www.straighttalk.com/ShopPhones. I think it's a good deal!

My older kids have all gotten jobs and their own phones. My oldest uses Virgin Mobile but he's always saying, "I gotta go mom, I don't have many minutes left." and my second son actually got a contract and an Android through Cellular South. His bill is $79 rather than roughly $50 a month, but to each his own.Our girls still live at home and use straighttalk at their own expense. One awesome thing about Straighttalk is that if you can't pay the bill no one gets upset. Just wait til pay day (without phone service) and then go buy your card. No contracts, no late fees. Simple.

Remember saving money isn't always because you CAN'T buy more expensive things but because you're TOO SMART to buy more expensive things when a less expensive alternative is available.

Stay tuned for my Hub about home phones.