Once you have decided to go with a prepaid cell phone service, the more important question is, which plan can save you more money?  Below are some tips on how you can save extra dollars more by choosing the right prepaid cell phone deal:

Compare online. The best way to compare different prepaid cell phone services is through the internet.  Check out cell phone comparison websites which presents the rates, fees and services of various cell phone services available in the market.  These websites even provide reviews from other consumers or prepaid cell phone users so you can get a better idea as to which carrier offers the best deal.

Skip unnecessary features. Take note that prepaid phone plans usually do not include extra phone features such as call waiting, call forwarding, and voice mails.  If you really need to use these options, make sure that you understand how much your chosen carrier charges for each service.  However, if you do not need to use these additional functions, then you might as well save your money and use it on more important expenses.

Pay only for the minutes you used. Prepaid phone call cards can be bought in different denominations ranging from $10 to as much as $100 and up.  You have to be aware of the exact duration of your balance once you have loaded it into your account.  Bear in mind that lower call card denominations may have shorter expiration period as well.  If you’re going to purchase $50 of load that lasts only for 30 days, make sure that you will be able to consume your load down to the last minute.

Take advantage of free minutes and texts. To keep up with the tough competition, prepaid cell phone service companies come up with different promotions to attract more customers.  Surely, there is not one package that will give you both unlimited calls and texts at a cheap price so you need to consider your priorities.

For instance, if you seldom make calls and use your cell phone mainly for text messaging, perhaps you may look for a package that offers unlimited text messages but less call time at a cheaper price.   On the other hand, if you prefer calls over SMS, then you may pick out a plan that offers free call minutes but less text messages at a low price.  By carefully examining your options, you will able to choose the best package that complements your needs.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Coverage. One essential factor that you want to check on is the coverage. Prepaid phone service providers may offer coverage to only a limited number of States or regions. If you need to make a lot of calls to a friend or a family member who lives outside your State, make sure that your chosen carrier provides coverage in that area.

Cost per call. Prepaid phone packages are usually pre-loaded with call times and text messages so you can use them the moment you make the purchase. Nevertheless, once you have consumed your available load, you’ll need to reload your account to continue enjoying the service. Check the cost per minute of calls as different carriers do charge varying rates.

Extra Features. Certain wireless phone features that are readily available in a post paid service may not be included in your prepaid phone plan. Examples of extra features are call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding, call conferencing, voice mail, wireless phone internet, and others. If you want to enjoy these services, you may need to request for each from your prepaid cell phone service provider and pay for each feature separately as well.

Load Expiration. Check the duration period of your prepaid phone balance as soon as you load it into your account. Prepaid call cards are available in various denominations such as $10, $20, $30, $50 and up. However, lower denominations will often have a shorter expiration period. Once expired, you will have to reload your account whether or not you have consumed all your available balance.

Your lifestyle. When evaluating prepaid phone plans, you need to carefully consider your own lifestyle and needs. Ask yourself, how often do you need to make calls in a month or in a week? How long do you usually spend on each call? How often do you use text messaging system?

If you need to make calls for more 200 minutes in a month, perhaps you may consider subscribing to a post paid plan instead. On the other hand, if you generally use your wireless phone for sending text messages and occasional calls, then a prepaid plan is a practical option, indeed.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

The fact is that prepaid phones can be advantageous for some people yet impracticable for some.  It all depends on your lifestyle and purpose for using a cell phone.  Therefore, before purchasing your prepaid phone kit, consider first the pros and cons before making a deciding whether it is the perfect plan for you.

Prepaid Cell Phone Pros

You are not tied up to a long term contract. Many post paid plan service providers require their customers to sign up for at least one to two year contract.  That means they cannot terminate their contract before this time period.  If a certain user does decide to deactivate the account, they will have to pay the penalty.

No need to worry about credit checks. If you are someone who is currently in the process of rebuilding bad credit history, applying for a post paid plan may prove to be tough.  By obtaining a prepaid cell phone service, there is no need to worry about the status of your credit history.

No monthly bills and late fees. For those who want to exercise a limit on their budget, prepaid phones are a good option.  Since it is prepaid, you can reload your account as you need to use it.  There is no need to worry about falling behind on your due dates or being penalized for being late.

Prepaid Cell Phone Cons

Per minute call charges. Take note that calls made from a prepaid phone are charged by the minute. If you are the type of person who must make frequent calls on a daily basis, a prepaid phone can actually be more costly for you since you will need to constantly reload your account.  Aside from the costs, having to purchase and reload a new card every time can be very inconvenient.

Limited choice of phone units. Typically, the choices of handsets are limited with prepaid phone plan packages.  If you want a wireless phone that will allow you to surf the web, you will need to purchase a separate handset on your own, and make sure that it will be compatible with your chosen prepaid cell phone service provider.

Limited coverage. Compared to post paid phone plans, prepaid phones may only work in limited areas so before purchasing a prepaid kit, you’ll want to check out the available coverage provided by your chosen carrier.

You can’t use a prepaid phone plan to rebuild credit. Subscribing to a post paid plan can be one way to build up your credit rating since it involves monthly payments.  If you choose to go prepaid, you will need to find other means to enhance your credit history as prepaid cell phone service providers cannot report your payments to the credit bureaus.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Below are some points to remember when comparing different prepaid cell phone plans:

Know your personal needs. All of us have different needs and purposes when it comes to using cell phones.  Before shopping around for cell phone deals, you need to know your priorities.  For instance, will you use your phone mostly for texting?  Will you need to make out-of-the country calls on a regular basis?  Do you need a roaming service?  Is there a particular cell phone unit that you prefer to use?  Jot down your priorities and use this list when evaluating plans.          

Use online comparison tools. You can find websites that not only offer reviews but also a comparison tool that you can use to match up different prepaid cell phone services side-by-side.  This way, you can immediately see the pros and cons that each cell phone carrier offers.

Pay attention to the fees. True enough, using a prepaid cell phone plan can enable you to save money as long as you know how to control your usage.  Nevertheless, when managed incorrectly, using a prepaid plan can prove to be a lot more expensive.

For example, if you spend a lot of time on calls on a daily basis, you may be better off with a post paid plan.  Keep in mind that prepaid phone plans are charge by the minute so when you ran out of call time, you will need to buy a new call card to reload your account.

Check out the phone units. If you are going to purchase a prepaid phone kit that comes with a handset, see to it that you know what you’ll be given.  One thing you can do is to visit a wireless phone center or store where varying handsets are displayed.  This way, you’ll get a better idea about the type of prepaid phone unit you will get.

Check the features included. Unlike a post paid plan, certain features may not be provided by your prepaid phone service provider.  You may need to send a request to your carrier before you can enjoy special phone functions such as call waiting, call forwarding, voice mail, etc.  Take note that subscribing to each of these features will cost you an additional payment.

Wireless Internet Capability. Do you need to use your mobile phone to surf the internet?  If you do, be sure that the type of handset you will be provided is capable of connecting to the internet.  Also, check with your carrier how much you will pay on per minute surfing.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Https://. To ensure the security of a web site, make sure that the URL or the website address begins with https://.  You should be able to check this from your browser’s address bar.

Privacy Policy. An online merchant must present its Privacy Policy on its website.  Take the extra time read this important information.  Because every merchant has its own set of policies on protecting their customer’s rights to privacy, you should be clearly aware of how your personal information will be used and what you can expect from the merchant.

Merchant Reputation. It is strongly recommended that you purchase only from trusted merchants online.  Get to know the company’s background and reputation.  Although you can find online stores that offer incredibly low prices, you want to make sure that you are dealing with a legitimate seller who only sells high-quality products.

Seal of Approval. Look for online shops that bear logos or seals of approval from National Business/Merchant organizations like the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and TRUSTe.  Take the extra effort to check the merchant’s record from the BBB.

Fraud Liability Protection. Does your debit card Issuer provide you protection against fraudulent or unauthorized charges made using your account?  Prepaid debit cards by Visa and MasterCard comes with this provision as their standard credit cardholders do.  If you are not sure, review your debit card’s Terms & Conditions before using your card online.

Purchase Protection. What about purchase protection?  For instance, prepaid debit cards with the VISA logo requires online verification before the cardholder can continue with the purchase.  This gives VISA cardholders additional security against fraud.

Check your bill. Review your debit card receipts to make sure that all charges are correct.  If you find errors, call your debit card company immediately.

Check out fees. Some prepaid debit cards carry so many extra charges on every transaction you make, including online purchases.  Before using your debit card to buy from the internet, review the fine print and get to know the possible fees that you may incur.

Check your funds. Make sure that you have sufficient balance in your account to pay for that particular item.  Some debit cards charge overdraft fees and other penalties in case your purchase exceeds your limit.

Do not share your PIN with anyone. You will be required to enter your debit card’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) when making purchases both online and offline.   Never let the cashier or anyone else enter these numbers for you.

Do not use your debit card account for savings. Limit funds in your debit card account and avoid making large deposits.  This way, in case your account gets hacked, it will not be a heartbreaking loss for you and you can always switch to a new account.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Nevertheless, owners of debit cards must be cautious about the possible penalty fees associated with their prepaid card use. What you thought was a $50 worth of purchase may suddenly cost you $80 or more due to the extra costs. What are these penalty charges?

Below is a list of debit card fees to watch out for:

Negative Balance Penalty. You can only use your debit card for payment as long as you have an available balance in your account. However, there are instances when your bill may exceed just a little over your available balance. In this case, your transaction may still be accepted but you will be charged with a penalty fee.

Decline Charge. Again, prepaid debit card holders are not allowed to overdraw. Hence, if you try to make a purchase that is way too large than your available balance, your transaction will usually be declined and you will be penalised for trying.

Daily Limit Penalty. Some prepaid debit card issuers impose a limit to the amount of transaction you can make each day. Going beyond that could mean additional penalty fees.

Inactivity Fee. Not using your debit card within a specified time period may also cost you additional charges.

Customer Service Charge. Some Issuers may not provide assistance for free. Other may provide one free live customer call each month but may charge a fee for corresponding calls (may range from $0.50-$2.00 per call) So before calling your debit card’s hotline number, check how much you will be charged.

Account Termination Penalty. Are you planning to close your account? If yes, your debit card Issuer may penalize you for terminating their service ($15 or more).

Card replacement. If you lose your debit card, there is usually a fee to ask for a replacement card. Visa and MasterCard may charge you $10 for this.

ATM Balance Inquiry. Do you want to inquire your balance? Watch out! Checking from your nearest ATM may cost you anywhere from $0.50 to $1.00, depending on your debit card type.

Currency Conversion. Currency conversion rates are not just applicable to regular credit cards but to prepaid debit cards as well. Hence, before using your prepaid card abroad, check the currency conversion rate. For instance, Visa Prepaid Debit Card charges 2% while MasterCard Debit Card charges 2.95% currency conversion rate from the total amount of purchase.

Choose and Use Your Debit Card Wisely

Just as it is important to check the fine print before signing for a credit card, you also need to do some investigation when choosing a debit card. More importantly, you need to familiarize yourself with your privileges and limitations to avoid spending more on penalty and maintenance debit card fees. Even though it is far easier to get a debit card, take the extra effort to read the Terms and Conditions.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Cost per call. When you buy a prepaid phone kit, it is often pre-loaded with minutes of calls and text messages. Once you used up your available balance, you must reload your phone to make new calls and send more texts.                  

You need to be aware of how much you will be charged for every call or text you send as some carriers may offer lower per call rates than others. Sometimes the cost per call or text will vary depending on to which network you send it to. Compared to a post paid plan, keep in mind that prepaid phone service providers may charge a higher rate on calls, especially if calls are made to other networks.

Extra Features. Unlike post paid phone packages, certain features such as call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding, call conferencing, voice mail, and wireless web may not be included in a prepaid plan. If you want to use these functions, you must first send a request to your service provider and pay a separate cost for each feature.

Load Expiration. Take note that when you reload your phone, your balance can expire when not used within a specific time period. Prepaid call cards are available in various denominations, depending on the amount you load.

For instance, you may be able to buy a call card that’s worth $20 but it may come with a shorter expiration period than cards with higher denominations. Once expired, your account will have a zero balance whether or not you consumed your last load.

Some carriers enable their prepaid phone users to carry over their unused balance, as long as they reload their accounts before the old load expires. Meanwhile, if you fail to reload after a month or 2, your account may be automatically deactivated and you will need to buy a new prepaid SIM card.

Coverage. Some prepaid cell phone service providers offer coverage to specific States or areas only. Thus, if you are a frequent traveller, you may want to check which service provider offers a wider range of coverage, particularly in the places you often visit.

If you have friends or relatives overseas that you must get in touch with on a regular basis, try to find a prepaid phone service company that not only offer reasonable long distance charges but reliable coverage as well.

Personal choice on handsets. With prepaid plans, phone unit will sometimes depend on the carrier that promotes it. For instance, the phones used for TracFone may not be the same as the handsets available with Net10 or Verizon. Hence, if you like a particular style or unit that is exclusively offered with that prepaid phone service provider, carefully review the provisions of the plan before making the purchase.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Portability. The size, weight and overall design of a phone must complement your taste and lifestyle. If you’re always on the go, you may need a smaller and lighter device that you can carry without hassle. On the other hand, if you often use your phone to connect to the internet, then you may prefer a smart phone which is usually bigger than regular mobile phone units. Furthermore, a bigger screen makes way for easier reading.

Organization features. If you use a phone for business, then check if that particular unit provides special functions that you can use for scheduling your tasks, making quick calculations, creating notes, setting appointments, meeting alerts, and other organizational functions.

Application Requirements. Different cell phone units have varying application requirements as well. Some may not be compatible with specific applications. If you want to use your phone alongside your laptop or personal computer, make sure that it supports the applications you use.

Ease of Use. Does the phone allow you to type or create text messages conveniently? Does it have a user-friendly interface? Are there shortcut keys to help you access the functions you often use quickly? Do you need a phone with a camera? What about Bluetooth? Do you prefer a touch screen phone? Rather than just base your decision on the specifications, it’s best to try and navigate the handset yourself before making a purchase.

Battery Life. If you usually need to make calls while on the road, you need to check this one. Some phones can only provide a maximum of 3 hours talk time while other phone units may last up to 10 hours or more.

Email Capability. If you are going to use a phone for business, it’s best to choose one with email capability. This way, you can send and receive emails wherever you are and get in touch with your customers or suppliers at any time.

Address Book. If you have a long list of contacts, you may want to choose a phone with a powerful address book which not only allows you to store name and phone numbers, but other significant details such as address, email account, website, etc.

The price. Of course, you need to consider your budget as well. How much are you willing to spend on a mobile phone unit? Set a realistic budget and find a phone that fits your budget. If a certain unit does not carry all the functions you want from a phone, then you need to prioritize your needs.

Prepaid Cell Phone Service. If you are going to purchase a prepaid phone kit, you may have a limited choice of handset. If you want to purchase your own mobile phone unit, check if the phone is supported by your preferred prepaid cell phone service provider.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Are you planning to get a prepaid phone too?  Or are presently subscribed to a post paid plan yet considering a switch to prepaid?  Before you take the next step, first consider if a prepaid wireless phone service is indeed right for you.  In this article, let’s discuss the advantages and limitations of using a prepaid wireless phone.

Prepaid Phone Advantages

Lower your monthly bills. You can save a great deal from a prepaid wireless phone if you choose the plan that matches your needs.  Pay-as-you go plans are recommended for people who do not need unlimited talk time.   Many prepaid cell phone companies offer affordable bundle packages that comes with the two basic services- text messaging and calls.      

No credit check done. Anyone can get a prepaid phone at any time regardless of credit standing.  It doesn’t matter if you have bad credit or no credit history at all.  Since you will only be able to use your phone by reloading credit, Issuers do not need to worry about defaults.

More affordable. If you stick with the budget you set, then prepaid phones are definitely the best way to cut costs.  You can get a prepaid plan for as low as $10 per month only.  That gives you at least 30 minutes of talk time at .10 cents per minute per call and .10 cents per text message.

Prepaid Phone Limits

Higher Per Minute Call charges. You can expect higher per minute call charges compared to a post paid plan.  Thus, if you to make calls from a wireless phone on a daily basis or if you need one for business, perhaps a contractual phone package is the more practical choice.

No Free Handset. Post paid wireless plans are often accompanied with the latest phone units or handsets that you can get for free or for cheap monthly installments.  On the other hand, prepaid providers do not offer free handsets since the use is not subject to any contract.  Thus, if you want a trendy handset, you’ll have to buy it on your own.

Extra Services cost more. If you want to subscribe to additional features such as voice mail, caller ID, three-way conferencing, call waiting etc., you need to pay extra for each type of service.  With a post paid plan, these functions are often already included with the package.

Limited Coverage. Different prepaid phone providers extend varying coverage services, depending on the area or State.  It’s very important to consider this factor especially if you frequently go on out-of-State trips.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!

Prepaid – Pay As You Use It

Wireless prepaid phones are perfect for people who need a mobile phone but seldom make calls or send text messages. Although the per minute call charges are much higher with a prepaid plan, you can save a great deal if you are a limited cell phone user.

Prepaid call cards range from as low as $10 to as high as $100 and up. At .10 cent per minute, a $10 load will give you at least 30 minutes of talk time that will not expire up to 30 days. The higher the denomination of your call card is, the longer lifespan of your credit would be.

What’s great about prepaid phone plans is that you are not bounded by any contract. If you are not satisfied with your carrier’s service, you can easily make the switch to a different prepaid cell phone service provider without any hassle.

Prepaid Phone Limits

Are there disadvantages to using a prepaid plan? If have been used to using a post paid cell phone, switching to a prepaid plan may be inconvenient at first. Remember that you will have to buy a new call card and reload each time you run out of balance. For some people, this could be a major drawback especially during times when you need to make an emergency call. Nevertheless, one solution to this problem is to reload your account immediately before or as soon as your last load expires.

Set a definite monthly budget and stick to it. If you don’t, you may end up spending more with a prepaid phone than with a post paid package. Be conscious about the expiration date of your balance each time you reload your account. There are prepaid wireless service providers that will automatically carry over your unused calls or texts as long as you reload the day before your balance expires. If your carrier does not have this provision, load only the exact amount that you can use to avoid wasting your credit.

When Post Paid is a Better Option

If, after considering your situation, you feel that a post paid plan is a more practical choice, you can save more money by choosing the right plan and service provider. Spend time reading the fine print before signing up your contract. Compare the rates and the services offered. You can also ask your friends and family members who have a firsthand experience in subscribing to a particular phone plan and carrier or check out cell phone reviews online.

About the Author

Tara Tiemann is a credit analyst of Go-prepaid.com and has been a resource site for people who want to live debt free! If your on a budget using prepaid debit card and prepaid cell phone services can save you big money!