Question about switching to Republic Wireless

[Mr_Mustache]

I recently started reading the MMM blog and scanned through his recommendations. I was intrigued by Republic Wireless as I've been looking to cut my phone bill down. I currently pay around $130 per month for my phone bill. My wife bought an iPhone 6 a few months ago and we still owe $570 on it. I want to pay the phone off right now and ditch T-mobile for Republic. Neither of us use much data --- our phones are connected to WiFi most of the time --- so we could really save big with Republic.

The issue is the big up front cost of paying off the iPhone and then buying two new phones with Republic. We would spend close to $1000 just to get started. However, after this initial cost we would start saving $80 a month! Obviously I want to do this at some point, but I am trying to decide if it's worth it and convince my wife that it's worth it. Any advice or better alternatives for getting to a cheaper cell phone plan?

[geekette]

There are WAY better alternatives.  Check out the superguide.

Lots of info there. 

[TechMike]

An alternative,  check out Ting. If your usage is low enough to save you money, you can move those T-mobile phones right on over with new SIM card ($9/ea). This is also nice, because with Ting, you can use just about any Sprint or T-Mobile phone on their network. That opens up a huge realm of used phones for you if one breaks.

[Scandium]

Republic seems sleazy to me. MMM just recommend it because they pay him. Check the other options as people above mention

[neo von retorch]

First, you don't need $500 phones!! Seriously. No one ever did, but at least five years ago you could mumble some argument about cameras not being horrible on high-end phones or something. Now, a $150 phone will do everything last year's flagship did, which is more than what you need.

Second, I tried Republic and I didn't like it. I had to sell the phone I just purchased for a loss. I do not recommend it. There are great alternatives.

[AJ]

I happen to love RW, FWIW. I've been using them basically since they came into existence and it has worked great for me. But whatever option you choose, that $570 is already spent. Even if you stay where you are you still owe it, so what you're really losing is the interest you would earn on it.

[AZDude]

I also like RW, but better alternatives exist.