I was a late arrival getting a cellphone, in Oct 2008, when I got a Verizon flip-phone (
i.e., it didn't text or surf). I was not interested in sending texts or using the phone to connect to the Net. I just wanted a mobile phone to make and receive phone calls, nothing more. That remains true to this day. And, after I ERd and did not need to be on call or make j*b-related calls, my # of calls diminished considerably. Today, I suppose I use
well under 100 minutes per month. That's just me, YMMV.
About a year ago I decided that my low minute usage did not justify the $55/month I was paying Verizon. So, since then, I researched alternatives. I decided on a
Tracfone phone,
the LG840 from Amazon, plus bought 600 minutes, with triple minutes for life, 6 months service, along with charging accessories, for some $75.00. No contract involved; just buy more minutes/months. I even got to keep my old Verizon phone number. When my time is about to expire this July, I will consider buying Tracfone's
$100/one year/400 minutes (1,200 minutes with my "triple minutes for life" option). That should cost me under $10 per month. Suits my purposes.
This
LG840 mobile from Tracfone is a hybrid between my old Verizon flip-phone and a true smartphone. It's what I think they label a "feature phone." (BTW: I got a Samsung tablet to surf the net when I am on the road. So, again, I am not interested in having a phone that can do what the tablet can do.)
So far I am happy with my decision to switch from my old Verizon flip-phone to my new Tracfone feature phone. It is costing me a lot less $ per month. The Tracfone always shows on the front window of the phone itself (and my online Tracfone account too) how many minutes and days I have left remaining--to alert me when I should buy more minutes/months.
The only disadvantage I have uncovered so far is that my new phone does not allow callers to leave me a voice mail if I do not pick up--unlike my former Verizon phone. Instead, I have to go thru my phone options to see if there were any calls that I did not answer, then call back if I choose. I have since learned this is because I did not get a particular Tracfone that provides this feature.