<p>We are making the change to Verizon’s new plan and decided that we need to change MIL’s phone off of our plan to a pay as you go. She almost NEVER uses the phone and at $10/month that was OK, but not so much at $30/month. She literally has only used the cell phone about 6 times in the 4 years that she’s had it, so I’m looking for something where you can buy minutes that don’t expire (or have a long expiration time…not a month to month deal.) I have no experience with this type of phone service, so I don’t even know if that’s possible.
Does anyone have any experience that they can share and what would be the best and most economical way to supply an 84 year old with a phone that is pretty much just for emergencies?
Thanks!</p>
<p>My grandmother had a cell phone, but she couldn’t/wouldn’t use it because the # keys on the phone were too small for her to see and manipulate. Go to Wal-Mart and get a prepay phone–they usually offer about 5 or 6 prepaid phone plans/carriers–the clerks in store will help you pick out a good plan for MIL’s area and a good phone for your MIL. </p>
<p>What plan is she using now that your MIL only phones you 6 times in 4 years? Lots of DILs would like that plan!</p>
<p>[Prepaid</a> Compare](<a href=“http://www.cellguru.net/prepaid_compare.htm]Prepaid”>Prepaid Compare)</p>
<p>
If only! 
She uses her landline…she just doesn’t “get” the concept of cell phone. For example, she has used it to call me to tell her that her regular phone is out of service and could I please call the phone company for her to report it. Putting aside the fact that she could do that herself on her cell phone, I told her that I would and that I would call her back on her cell to report what the problem was. Then she turned off phone, because that, in her mind, is “hanging up.” So, not able to reach her back. BTW - she’s not a doddering old person flirting with senility. She just totally does not understand technology in any form.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, though!</p>
<p>I bought my mom a Virgin Mobile phone several years ago. I think she has it set automatically to charge her card $15 every 90 days and always has minutes left over.</p>
<p>Hubby has a phone with TMobile. It was free and we put a $100 card on it to start. Every year, we have to add another $10 before the year expires & then the minutes roll over. Since the minutes are only $.10 apiece & he rarely makes calls, they roll over pretty often and then when he’s running low (every few years), we put in another $100 card. Has worked very well for us for over 10 years. H mostly uses his landlines–work & home.</p>
<p>Thanks ucbalumnus,unsoccer and HImom…Both the Virgin and TMobile plans sound like they might work for her. I’ll also check what would work best in our area.
I appreciate the input!</p>
<p>Good idea to check coverage. One summer, TMobile didn’t work for any of our kids 5 apartments! We switched to Verizon but are not contemplating moving to another carrier, maybe one that does all that the kids for less. Still pondering. Thinking perhaps pre-paid. Am letting S figure it out for us. He’s not in a rush to get off our phone plan.</p>
<p>I use traqfone</p>
<p>What’s the pricing on your traqfone? Do you recommend it? How’s the reception. I’d like as much info as possible, as we MAY get a new pre-paid service for me in the near future.</p>
<p>AT&T Go Phone (10 cents a minute) lets you pre-pay $100 that doesn’t expire for 365 days. So, that’s under $10 a month with minimal hassle.</p>
<p>If you buy more minutes before the expiration (say on day 364), unused minutes roll over. There is also an option to schedule an automatic re-buy, but you have to manually set the date.</p>
<p>That AT&T plan sounds just like one of TMobile’s many pre-paid plans. The I’m on of TMobile right now is $30/month for 1500 minutes/texts/month + 30mg data. So far, so good. It does not rollover when I don’t use the data. Usually 1500 is enough for me.</p>
<p>Bought the phone for $30 when it was bundled with the double minutes thing (for every one you buy you get another with it). I pay about $8 a month or so for it. Very good reception (it piggy backs off of other antenas i think).</p>
<p>I only know about he basic flip phone model, but it is very durable.</p>
<p>With texts, however, you pay .3 per one (so one text is .3 minute).</p>