[Villages PL]

I've never owned a cell phone and I'm thinking about getting one just for emergencies. I just bought a new car that comes with 5 years of road service.

Here's what I want: An inexpensive no-contract phone (under $20?) Minutes must not expire. Something I can keep in the car for as long as the batteries last. Is there such a thing? If so, where's the best store to buy it?

Thanks!

[RichieB]

Try Consumer Cellular through AARP. tHEY SAY THEY HAVE PLANS STARTING AT $10 PER MONTH.

Hard to find plans with minutes that do not expire, IMO.

1-800-283-3118

AARP Cell Phone Plans from Consumer Cellular

Not a subscriber, since I'm contracted to Verizon, just reading from an ad that I received in the mail.

Looks like you can have a 45-day free trial. In reading somewhere else, I believe that the serice is provided through AT&T.

[villages07]

Tracfone still works. Cheap phones, no contract, pay as you go, minutes don't expire, but, you do have to purchase some minimums. Can get phones in Walmart, Target.

We just do an annual card... 12 months of service, 400-800 mins, for about $107. That works out to $9/month. Never come close to using the minutes. You can also buy minutes monthly or other terms.

Great for emergencies and "light talkers"

Nationwide coverage.

[quirky3]

Most models have very inexpensive car chargers available so you don't even have to worry about the battery going

[zcaveman]

I have the LG500 tracfone and only use it for emergencies. I keep it off most of the time unless I need to get calls. I add minutes quarterly - annually would probably be cheaper.

I occasionally put it on the charger just to make sure it is charged.

I like it because it has a QUERTY keyboard (like a typewriter/computer).

Get them at Wal-mart or Walgreens.

Has a nice camera also.

Z

[CaptJohn]

Ditto on the Tracfones (tracfone.com). I have a couple and have had for several years. Be sure and get the phone with DMFL (Double minutes for life). That means for every minute you purchase you actually get 2 for the price of one. They also have free bonus minutes (search the internet for the most recent bonus number). Mine average about $7.00 per month paid quarterly ($21) if I don't use them much. Rarely run out of minutes. No problems. Works everywhere I've been. Good signals. Home office is Miami. DMFL Phone costs about $30. plus minutes first time. Can easily renew (add) minutes online with credit card. I think Walmart stopped carrying them since they have their own brand.

[njbchbum]

i agree that tracfone is the way to go for your needs - just be sure to get a phone with a camera - so that you can take a picture of any emergency you might encounter.

[Midvale]

All cell phones, even if service plans have expired, should still be able to dial 911. That law was passed in 1997. If that's all you want, get someone's hand-me-down phone and keep it charged.

[blueash]

Pure Talk at Pure TalkUSA :: Find No-Contract Cell Phone Plans & Affordable Cell Phone Service
They have a $10/mo giving you 130 minutes which all roll over indefinitely. They also will "sell" you a simple phone for "$0.00" or free if you like. The 10 dollars is the total including all taxes and fees. And there is no contract so you can cancel anytime if you're not happy. I've had no problems with them.

[mrdills]

I also have a Tracfone EX124, I get triple minutes a month for 9.99, that gives me 150 minutes a month and they are all roll-over minutes. I can Tex, use the Internet, and phone service for that price, can't beat it.

[Villageshooter]

get yourself a tracfone,, they have been around for a long time, some of these jhonny come late companies might have a cheaper plan, howerver trac has been in business for years,,, if you want to be totally confused, go to bestbuy and ask someone there,,, before you leave they will try to convince you need and IPHONE with an unlimted plan...

[Villages PL]

Thanks everyone. I'll have to give this some thought because I'm trying to avoid having 2 monthly phone bills. My home phone is about $28 per month and I don't use it all that much. Another $10 dollars per month doesn't seem like a lot but it is if I only use it once every 3 or 4 years.

The 911 idea is interesting but I don't think it's meant for getting road service for a flat tire, is it?

I'll try going to the Tracfone website.