Tracfone: The Best Cell Phone Deal for Your Buck

I hate cell phones. There, I said it. Their only use (as it seems) is to cause car accidents and to annoy the crap out of theatergoers across the globe. However, I really do realize that they're a very important device in today's world, which is why I actually have one. It's technically a Tracfone, which is essentially the same thing as any other cell phone, but it doesn't bind you into a ruthless contract. You don't even have to pay monthly charges; there are no extra or hidden fees, just a one time payment that can keep you talking for years at a time. All you have to do is buy phone cards to refill your minutes once you've used them all up.

There are many different Tracfone styles, but the most popular is the flip phone by Motorola. Nokia also creates phone models for this company, so there are many different styles to choose from. These phones range from $10 to $60. I personally have an older version, one from a time when there weren't as many designs available. My friends make fun of me to this day about it because it doesn't even have a color screen. None of that is really important to me, though. They can have their Blackberries and Razr phones. All I need mine for is texting on occasion, emergencies, and just to have peace of mind.

Texting really is one of the greatest features on this phone. It doesn't cost any units to receive one and only a third of one to send a text out. Ever since I discovered this feature, it's become one of my favorite things about the cell phone. Because I'm not really a phone person and have never been one, I think it's a great way to communicate with others. I actually have a friend with a Razr phone who I once sent a text message to. She didn't respond to it for a few days, so I called her. Her excuse? Texting on her monthly plan was too expensive for her to check! The Tracfone is the perfect solution to this problem because this simple function would have been absolutely free.

For those of you who aren't like me and love to talk, you shouldn't find any problem with this phone, either. I've only had problems with my reception once and that was when I went camping in the rugged mountains of Virginia. But, as previously mentioned, you must buy phone cards in order to activate your Tracfone. These are typically pretty cheap, but it depends on where you buy them. I would recommend buying them online at www.tracfone.com. The cards all come in different denominations that range from 30 to 400 minutes. Some only last for about a month and others last for a year. It just depends on how much you're willing to spend.

Your best bet would be to buy your phone and minutes together, as the price becomes cheaper in the long run. There are often many specials on the company's web site that you can take advantage of, so be sure to check it often. You can even get extra minutes when you activate your phone online, but don't hesitate to call them. Their representatives are friendly and do all they can to make sure you're satisfied with their services.