Wireless Carrier Plans: Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile. Budget Plays a Role in Choosing.

Cell phones, they are almost part of our ear. No one goes anywhere with out one.. What does a family do when they need to keep in touch.. They of course get a cell phone plan. All plans are not created equel... You first have to check to see what are your free time usages, what will you be charged if you go over your minutes.. Will there be roaming? Will the kids abuse text messages.

Let's take a look at what is available now. We have the #1 cell phone provider Cingular.They have the to go phone, the push to talk, and on line only phone..The first 2 phones have a price of $59.99, with each additional line at $ 9.99. You get 500 any time minutes, free nights and weekends. You even get rollover with this family plan. there are no long distance charges, and no roaming...

But if you go over your minutes you will be then paying 45 cents per minute. you have an activation fee of $36.00.
Any additional line will be $26.00 for activation. You have a 2 year contract.. so be sure this is right for you.You also have a large list of options you can add. Cingular has the Go phone at $29.99 no contract. Unlimited mobile to mobile and 25 cents per minute on calls made to other phones other that Cingular.

The number #2 company is Verizon. They offer the family share plan, which includes as many minutes of air time as you feel you need.they start off at 700 minutes at, $ 69.99, with 45 cents a minute, this includes 2 phones.additional lines $9.99. The maximum minutes is 6,000 with an over minutes limit charge of 20 cents.

This plan is unlimited in calling and nights and weekends on both of your lines. The larger the plan minutes the cheaper the over calling time is. 20 cents per minute is the lowest over limit rate. Free activation on both lines and also a 2 year contract.

The # 3 provider is Sprint. They have a low cost basic plan at $29.99 includes 200 minutes..If you go over starting at 201 minutes through 500 minutes, you will be paying an additional $5.00 for each 30 minutes you go over. and 20 cents per minute over your 500.. This can add up if you are using your phone excessively.. each additional line is $9.99.

The good feature about this phone is the unlimited Mobile to mobile, but this must be on the Sprint network. The connect your family plan is higher starting at $59.99 to $ 74.99 this includes 2 camera phones. Also over minute fees at $5.00 for every 30 minutes over. Any features are extra, as with most providers.

The #4 wireless company is T mobile plans here start at $39.99 and go as high as $99.00 a month.. You will have to purchase your phone starting at $49.99 to $299.00. Depending on the plan you choose.. The family plan here starts at $59.99 plus a phone purchase of 19.99. You get unlimited shared mobile to mobile and 700 anytime minutes.

Over minutes are 40 cents each. There is no data transfers on this phone, so no need to worry about text messages your kids might be making. You get your standard call waiting and call forwarding.

The more expensive your plan the more features you can add. So now you have your options on the top 4 providers, But is there a cheaper way and a better for a family to keep in touch. You can go with the go phone from Cingular, and threaten your kids to only use the phone in an emergency.. Give them limits on calls and prepay the phone as they run out.

If all you need is personal contact with your kids, this is your best choice...Great idea's with this phone is you can purchase one phone, and give it to the child that will be away from home that day to use.

This can save money all the way around. If you have a large family and to many kids on the go, you might want to consider getting 2 go phones. You will get rollover minutes with the Go phone. You will also have to pay $29.99 per phone, and add minutes each month or as you go. Of course with a Go phone you will still be paying 10 cents a minute on other calls.. So the kids can use up there time fast. You will have to set limits. You can check your balance minutes by just dialing 777# .

We also have Nextel coming in at #3 along side Sprint. We have the walkie talkie on this family plan. So for $69.99 per month you can share 700 minutes...Unlimited nights and weekends, long distance included.. You can purchase a go getter for for free. Sign up and get your free phones...This plan gives a lot of ways to keep in touch. You have your walkie talkie, which is unlimited, great way to keep in touch with family. and with the FREE phones you save a lot of money...Plus sharing your plans minutes.

Let's see options on less familiar wireless phones.. Metro PCS covers some areas of florida, if your area is covered you can get a plan as low as $40.00 a month. No limit on calls, No fee per call, free activation, no contact .If you add a section phone you save $10.00 on the monthly fee of 40 per month.

So if you just use the phone to keep in touch, It would cost you $70.00 per month with no hidden charges. But a limit on coverage areas.....We have covered the most familiar wireless plans here, so you have a lot of choices. Check all the options, prices and what does your family really needs.