When my boys were about 13 and going places without us, I insisted that they have a cell phone for basic connectivity. The flip phones were $15 and it was $10 a month each to add them to our plan.
Later the older pushed for a smart phone, he bought and paid for a discontinued HTC for $99, told him his entertainment is his responsibility, he paid for the added data plan, I continued paying the $10 per month.
When each turned 16, we gave them a $300 credit to go buy the smart phone of their choice (they spent under $400). We continue to pay the $10 basic connectivity, they pay all other usage charges.
Since then we moved to a Cricket plan (the older boy did the research and porting over) where we have four phones for $100 a month. We still pay the $10 per month, each boy pays us $15 per month.
The younger one dropped his phone in a sink full of water. Turned it into a tablet...everything works except cellular radio. So he replaced his phone with his own money.
I'm still willing to support the initial agreement for connectivity at $10 per month, everything else is their responsibility. Even have a old flip phone that we can resurrect if need be.
I intend to continue until they finish college.
Later the older pushed for a smart phone, he bought and paid for a discontinued HTC for $99, told him his entertainment is his responsibility, he paid for the added data plan, I continued paying the $10 per month.
When each turned 16, we gave them a $300 credit to go buy the smart phone of their choice (they spent under $400). We continue to pay the $10 basic connectivity, they pay all other usage charges.
Since then we moved to a Cricket plan (the older boy did the research and porting over) where we have four phones for $100 a month. We still pay the $10 per month, each boy pays us $15 per month.
The younger one dropped his phone in a sink full of water. Turned it into a tablet...everything works except cellular radio. So he replaced his phone with his own money.
I'm still willing to support the initial agreement for connectivity at $10 per month, everything else is their responsibility. Even have a old flip phone that we can resurrect if need be.
I intend to continue until they finish college.
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