Cell phone plans (my head is spinning)

[FiguringItOut]

Can someone recommend a cell plan for me that makes the most sense?  I keep looking at various plans and carriers and nothing seems to be making sense. 

I am with t-mobile now and I want to switch.  My contract will be up next month and I am fed up with high prices and crappy customer service. 

I just checked my usage for the last 4 months and it seems that I am averaging about 2.2GB of data, around 1000 txts and 500 minutes (October was over 1000 minutes, but it was a very atypical month). 

Some months I am as low as 300 minutes and 400 txts, but the lowest in data that I had was around 1.7GB. 

I have tmobile phone that I'd like to keep as I have no money for another phone right now (new or used).  I'd rather take time and save for a new phone when I need it. 

I can't figure out where to go with my cell requirements that would keep my bill under $50 per month including all taxes or even lower. 

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks

[Daley]

Have you read the first seven posts of this thread yet? Communications & Tech - The ISP, VoIP and Cellphone Superguide

As to your average usage on the data end, I suggest you give this a read as well: What is mobile media costing you?

There's no reason why you couldn't switch to a sub-$30 T-Mobile or AT&T MVNO plan if you just get your mobile data usage in check.

[rubybeth]

Hmm, we are not under contract with T-mobile and pay $25/line. I'd give them a call and see if they can get you on a cheaper plan. We don't pay extra for texts or unlimited data, so it's relatively inexpensive. We use WiFi at home and wherever we can. 

[Jags4186]

If you're happy with T-Mobile service try the Walmart Family Mobile.  Unlimited talk/text/2.5gb data for $39. $6 less than straight talk.

[MrFancypants]

I just switched to T-Mobile for a no contract plan.  I have been very happy so far, both with my cheap Nokia Lumia 521 ($90 on Amazon) and with the service.

I wanted to try Republic, but the only phone listed on their site as being compatible with their service costs $300 (and it's an Android, which I don't care for).  I know that ultimately that becomes the cheaper route....  unless something happens to the phone that causes me to have to buy another one.  If they allowed the cheaper Lumias (520/521) I'd be very happy to give them a go.

[LibrarIan]

Holy cow, your cell usage is so much higher than mine. What are you doing data-wise? I almost use WIFI exclusively and nearly avoid data altogether.

I am on T-Mobile's prepaid $30/month plan using a Samsung Galaxy SIII that was given to me. My plan gets me unlimited texting, 100 talk minutes and 500 mb of data. I have only hit my talk minute limit one time, as I mostly use texts or some chat client through WIFI. I rarely use my data and have only really done so when I've gotten lost a couple times and needed directions.

If you can part with data and talk minutes and instead use WIFI or chat apps/texting, go with the prepaid plan T-Mobile offers. You'll save money and you'll probably use your phone less in general which I think is a good thing.

[kpd905]

Virgin Mobile uses Sprint's network and is $35 for 300 minutes and unlimited texts/data ($30 if you have an iPhone).  Or $45 for 1200 minutes and unlimited texts and data.

PM me for a $25 account credit.

[coconutpop]

I currently live in Canada and the phone plan are way more expensive here. I found the best solution was to throw my phone on the ground so it breaks in thousand pieces(no worries, no one would have wanted that phone anyways) and bring the rest to my local phone disposal place.

I am trying to bring back the smoke signals fashionable. 

[Milspecstache]

I am on T-mobile's monthly plan (no contract).  I think I pay around $50 per month but I have been really researching moving to Republic Wireless.  I use about 500min and 50 texts/month and less than 5mb of data.  I just hate to drop $300 on a phone that I can't resell if I hate it (after 30 days)...

[Daley]

I am on T-mobile's monthly plan (no contract).  I think I pay around $50 per month but I have been really researching moving to Republic Wireless.  I use about 500min and 50 texts/month and less than 5mb of data.  I just hate to drop $300 on a phone that I can't resell if I hate it (after 30 days)...

There's more options than just Republic Wireless. Better options with real customer support. Cheaper options when you actually run the numbers. Options that let you keep your phone. Thus the entire point of the Superguide.

[FiguringItOut]

If you're happy with T-Mobile service try the Walmart Family Mobile.  Unlimited talk/text/2.5gb data for $39. $6 less than straight talk.

Thank you Jags!  I switched to Walmart Family Mobile today.  Hopefully this will save me few bucks a month going forward.

[Trying225]

I've called T-Mobile five times and have been able to negotiate a lot. I know it sounds time consuming but when I looked at the costs of canceling, buying a phone with a prepaid company and then getting on another plan, I realized I didn't have the money for it. I was on an annual subscription and they told me the migration to a nonannual subscription would be $100. They told me if I cancelled with T-Mobile altogether, it would be $200. I was able to negotiate so I only had to pay a $50 migration fee to get to the $50 dollar nonsubscription plan and then I'm getting the 20% employee discount from my job. This means that if I want to leave T-Mobile for Ting, Straight Talk, Republic Wireless, etc., I'll have time to save for a phone, etc. I'm feeling pretty victorious right now. I don't like Wal-Mart as a company so I'm hesitant about going through them. I'll see where my employee discount gets me.

[Daley]

This means that if I want to leave T-Mobile for Ting, Straight Talk, Republic Wireless, etc., I'll have time to save for a phone, etc.

Or you could read the already linked Superguide and pick a high quality GSM MVNO that will let you use your current phone. Extra bonus points: Better customer support than you'll get with either Straight Talk or Republic without having to buy a proprietary phone that you can only use with them!

[southern granny]

Just switched to Ting myself.  It has only been a week, but so far I am happy.

[Milspecstache]

New user here to Republic Wireless, coming from T-mobile.  Little weird getting used to no data when away from home but I really like the $10/mo cost.  For that price I had considered doing a tracphone years ago.  Pretty amazing what you get for that price now!