Thinking about cancelling my cell phone

[ETBen]

I'm starting to look at our over-reliance on constant info access and tech vs what my needs actually are. 

I have an iPhone 6, under contract, costs $80 per month.  This is my half of the joint bill with my exhusband.  Even with the cancellation fee, that's only a few months service.  Keeping until the end of contract would be much more $.

I already have an iPhone6 for work, fully paid, no limits except don't look up inappropriate things.

The big reason I always hear to keep your own phone is to keep your number.  But really, who cares?!?!  When I leave this job in the future, I can get a new phone and #.  The biggest hassle seems to be changing my number with accounts etc. 

I only talk on the phone to a few people outside of work.  Everyone else texts and I can give them the work phone #. 

I'm also cancelling cable and their stupid bundles, b/c work reimburses my internet service. 

[forummm]

I went without a personal phone for years. It helps that I hardly ever talk to people on the phone. But I did have my work cell if I needed to be reached. Maybe you could transfer your number to a free VOIP provider like Google Voice?

[CCCA]

Yes. Good idea. If you can use your work phone no sense in paying for another one. If you want to keep your number just port to google voice and it can ring your work phone.

[ETBen]

bear with me: so I can cancel service but keep my number?  Not sure if I need to do that but I didn;t know you could

I called and the termination fee was less than what I would make reselling the phone on Gazelle.  Score! 

This seems to be radical among my friends and family.  "What if your work can see your texts!?"  "you need to keep your number!'  and on and on. 

[CCCA]

Just transfer (port) the number before you cancel the account or your number will be lost forever.

The good thing about google voice is that you can have people who call that number ring any phone like your work cell or you landline. And you can get transcripts for voicemails. The bad news is that Google does sometimes change their mind about providing free services so voice may not be around forever but you should have at least some warning if they ever decide to kill it and you can port your number somewhere else.

[ETBen]

btw, in a few changes in my budget, I've found an extra $1k per month already.  Nothing that would even be noticeable in terms of lifestyle changes.  Also where I'm allocating things, etc.  Besides frugality, some of the mindset stuff.  It's fascinating. 

[ETBen]

Just transfer (port) the number before you cancel the account or your number will be lost forever.

The good thing about google voice is that you can have people who call that number ring any phone like your work cell or you landline. And you can get transcripts for voicemails. The bad news is that Google does sometimes change their mind about providing free services so voice may not be around forever but you should have at least some warning if they ever decide to kill it and you can port your number somewhere else.

Awesome, thanks!!

[Bob W]

These are really good ideas.  You could also buy a used republic phone  for $50.  You could then sign up for the $5 month plan and keep all your texts personal.   A little private time may be worth $60 a year and keep your number.