[NTLK] OT: Cell phones was: Hello to all:...Can someone please refresh my memo...

[Dan]

This all for future reference if the new phone dies:

You can get a MUCH better deal with Tracfone.  You can get a decent
smart phone from them for $10 or so, then add say a 200 min card for 3
months of service with the 200 min.  The minutes don't expire as long as
your service stays active.  After the 3 months you have two options:

1. Add more time via the website and check the "get a year of service"
check box at the bottom under "additional services" for $50 I think it
is.  Something like that.  So if you get the lowest time amount possible
($10) you pay $60 a year for service.

2. Sign up for their "emergency plan"  Which if you run out of service
days it kicks in and adds 30 days for $7.99

Either way a lot cheaper than what you are paying now.  The only
downside is, she will need to charge it up occasionally.  BUT if you
have the phone all the way off (not in sleep mode) it should hold its
charge for a few months.  However, li-ion batteries do NOT like hot
temps and will kill them quickly.  One option is to remove the battery
it comes with and put a cheap AA powered cell phone power pack in the
glove compartment with the phone.  Then it should be good to go when you
need it.  I have a couple of these AA power packs in case one of my
devices that charge via USB need juice and I am far from an outlet.

Or of course, she could just keep it in her purse.  The smaller phones
(or even flip phones, they still have them as a option) she would forget
she is even carrying it.



-Dan

On 12/30/2017 12:18 PM, Dennis Swaney wrote:
> Re cellphones, my wife has had a Jitterbug Dial for 10 years, but the
> battery is dying and new ones are no longer available, not even from
> Samsung (the original Jitterbug was a Samsung SPH-A120). For $14.99 per
> month she gets 200 minutes - not bad for a phone that is carried in her car
> for emergencies and when she takes trips to visit family on Staten Island.
> When she gets back from S.I. on Monday night, she'll find I bought her a
> Jitterbug Flip to replace the old phone.
> 
> So if you just want a basic phone for emergencies, get the Jitterbug Flip.
> However they do make a Jitterbug slab smartphone also, if you prefer that.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Dennis B. Swaney