Monday I forgot my cell phone, going to a doctors appt 2 hours away. Concerned if I had an emergency, or there was an emergency at home.

Guess I shouldn't have forgotten it, but we all forget things in our lives.

I am interested in getting a cheap cell phone, doesn't have to be a smart phone to leave in my vehicle so if I ever forget my phone again, it will be there.

I could use one of my old cell phones, but don't want to add another line, and emergency use would limit me to 911 calls.

Considered prepaid phones, but my understanding is if you don't use the minutes they expire.

Anyone have a suggestions on a phone, that I could purchase, just to leave in my vehicle, and not have to worry about expired minutes?

Check ting.

Their service starts with a six dollar / month charge plus any usage. If you don't use the phone, it has cost you six bucks. If you do use it, the charges for talk, text, and data are very reasonable.

Odds are that you can bring your own phone, but if you need to get one from ting, it can run as little as $50 for a very simple phone, to over $1,000 if you pick a fancy smart phone.

They have the best customer service that I have experienced in the cell phone industry. Kind of like the Chick-Fil-A of cell phones.

I gave my dad my old flip phone with a 9 dollar per month bill, to me. He never uses it. But I feel good knowing he has it. Hope that helps.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Check ting.

Their service starts with a six dollar / month charge plus any usage. If you don't use the phone, it has cost you six bucks. If you do use it, the charges for talk, text, and data are very reasonable.

Odds are that you can bring your own phone, but if you need to get one from ting, it can run as little as $50 for a very simple phone, to over $1,000 if you pick a fancy smart phone.

They have the best customer service that I have experienced in the cell phone industry. Kind of like the Chick-Fil-A of cell phones.

That is in line with what I was looking for, no contracts, no expirations, just curious, is it $6 per month or $6 up front? $72 yearly?

Not to be cold blooded about it but, did you ever how people ever survived without cell phones 20 years and going back from there?

The answer is, very well.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:

Not to be cold blooded about it but, did you ever how people ever survived without cell phones 20 years and going back from there?

There used to be pay phones everywhere. I can’t remember the last time I saw one.

I have a tracfone that I renew every 3 months for $21. There are no additional charges for usage as it give plenty of additional minutes w/ each renewal.
It gets cheaper w/ the more months you buy at once.
I think I paid $35 for it and it came w/ a years worth of minutes at the casual rate I used it.

Everyone has a phone. If you forgot yours, you would be hard pressed NOT to find someone who could help you out.

Also, instead of buying backup "stuff", why not create systems and processes. It works for pilots and surgeons.

For me, my phone is always in my pocket. I won't even leave it in the cup holder when I get out of the car to get gas. As soon as I get up from a seated position, or transition from one room to another (doesn't matter where I am) my hand does a check for the phone. Can't remember the last time I forgot or lost my phone.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Everyone has a phone. If you forgot yours, you would be hard pressed NOT to find someone who could help you out.

Also, instead of buying backup "stuff", why not create systems and processes. It works for pilots and surgeons.

For me, my phone is always in my pocket. I won't even leave it in the cup holder when I get out of the car to get gas. As soon as I get up from a seated position, or transition from one room to another (doesn't matter where I am) my hand does a check for the phone. Can't remember the last time I forgot or lost my phone.

Not to mention that cell phone ubiquity really only goes back about 15 years. Smart phones maybe ten. Widespread, affordable, digital service has only been around for about 20 years. Somehow we all got by.

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:

cell phone ubiquity really only goes back about 15 years. Smart phones maybe ten. Widespread, affordable, digital service has only been around for about 20 years. Somehow we all got by.

It wasn't that difficult for me to get by. If I had to make a call I just used the nearest pay phone. They were everywhere. Now, think: when was the last time you saw a pay phone?

Some good suggestions here for my intended useage.

Yes, I could do without a cell phone and still live and breathe. It is not an addiction to me.

That being said, if the technology is available, then I intend to use it to my means and needs.

I use Tracfone for that purpose. They have many plans.

quote:

Considered prepaid phones, but my understanding is if you don't use the minutes they expire.

Tracfone doesn't do that as long as you pay when your expiration is up. Between that and the phone I got - and still use - in 2015 that tripled minutes, I have ~3500 minutes built up. (I seldom actually use it; it is more a piece of emergency equipment.) Check their site, enter your zip code and see if they have any similar promotions.

You might check with your current carrier for a 2nd line - minimal usage and no features. It could be pretty cheap.

quote:

Originally posted by Sunset_Va:

That is in line with what I was looking for, no contracts, no expirations, just curious, is it $6 per month or $6 up front? $72 yearly?

You register a credit card with ting. You are not on a "plan," you are not buying any minutes (or text or data) that can expire. If you do not use the phone during a month, they charge your card six bucks to keep your plan alive and retain your number.

If you do use talk minutes, or text, or data, you are charged for that in addition to the six bucks. Take a look at the website, I gave you a link.

Ting is a re-seller for both Sprint and T-Mobile. You can choose whichever network gives better service in your area. Bring your own compatible phone or you can buy one from them.

If a cell phone is to be left in your car, in case of theft I wouldn't put any contacts or other info on it, or make it (if a smart phone) so you have to enter a PIN.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
If a cell phone is to be left in your car, in case of theft I wouldn't put any contacts or other info on it, or make it (if a smart phone) so you have to enter a PIN.

Agreed with your thoughts. But I would have to have a couple of contact numbers, or perhaps have the phone numbers on a printed sheet.

By V-Tail
"
Ting is a re-seller for both Sprint and T-Mobile. You can choose whichever network gives better service in your area. Bring your own compatible phone or you can buy one from them."

I am currently on Sprint, so that is a plus.