Anyone have a pre-pay cell phone?

Can you give me pros & cons?

We are looking to get rid of our home phone but want something to keep in the house for if & when we have a babysitter (for emergencies).

FIL suggested we get a pre-pay cell phone and I think it could be a good idea.

Do you pay a monthly fee or only for the minutes??

TIA!

Re: Anyone have a pre-pay cell phone?

My Dad has one and only pays for the pre paid cards. Once it's up, you have to buy more. I think you can get on a plan where they automatically charge your CC for more minutes once it runs out, but I'm not sure.

You might have to buy the phone too.

Re: Anyone have a pre-pay cell phone?

I just switched from ATT to Straight Talk. They use the verizon network, so no issues with coverage. I do the $30 plan, but they have a $45 unlimited. I ported my number and it took a day. Highly reccommend them.

Re: Anyone have a pre-pay cell phone?

DW has a Tracfone. They have deals where you only have to buy time and/or minutes once a year, which is great for DW since she doesn't use the phone much. She's had the phone for a couple of years now, so it's basically a permanent phone number. The phone costs like $20 or something, and that's a decent phone, too.

Re: Anyone have a pre-pay cell phone?

I was looking at these with my mother when I was home this summer, I believe the minutes are more expensive than having a contract phone.

Re: Anyone have a pre-pay cell phone?

we have an extra cell to keep in the house. it's just an extra line on our regular plan, so it's $9.99/mo minus my 22% corp discount. it uses the same shared minutes as my family plan, has unlimited texting, etc. that's an idea for you, too.

Re: Anyone have a pre-pay cell phone?

I had Tmobile prepaid. Once you have added $100 to the account (not necessary all in one shot) you get 1yr to use up the minutes and the mins are I believe 10 cents/min.