As lives become filled with more and more activities, families are using cell phones to stay connected. In the past, providing a child
with a cell phone seemed unthinkable, but today, it’s considered the “essential sanity saver.”
But which plan is the right cell phone plan and what exactly is a family share plan?
What Is A Family Share Plan?
Family share plans are best described as joint accounts. Family share plans offer cellular phone customers the advantage of one bill and
one set of taxes and regulations.
Family share plans provide cellular customers two cell phones, with two different sets of phone numbers, and a specified amount of
minutes. Those minutes are then shared between both cell phone users.
In most cases, families can purchase more cell phones and add more minutes on the same plan, for an additional fee. (Verizon for example,
offers a third cell phone line for only $9.99 per month.)
Which Is The Right Family Share Plan?
“My son often goes to the park down the street with his friends and I wanted a way to know he was okay at a moment’s notice,” says Rhonda
Anderson, mother of a teenage boy. “My sister told me about prepaid cell phones and they seemed like the logical choice, but I wasn’t
thrilled with the fact that he could run out of minutes and I wouldn’t be able to get in touch with him. Then I discovered I could add
another phone to my Verizon plan for only $9.99 per month and I knew that was the right choice for me.”
Like Ms. Anderson, many parents find cell phones save their sanity and allow their teenagers more freedom and space. The key to keeping
that peace of mind is to make sure you sign up for a cellular phone plan that fits both your budget and your family’s needs.
- Are you sure you’re still getting the best deal for your money?
Don’t assume your current cell phone provider offers the best family share plan. Take the time to look around and compare
providers—rates and plans change all the time.
- Are you happy with your current cell phone provider or its reception?
If you aren’t happy with the reception in your area, adding another phone to your plan will increase your frustration; especially when
you cannot get a hold of your child as you had hoped.
- Will your child be responsible enough to monitor his/her minutes so that you aren’t going over every month?
If not, consider purchasing a larger plan or purchasing a prepaid cell phone. But remember, prepaid cell phones cost more in the long
run. So make sure he/she is responsible enough to only use the prepaid cell phone for emergencies, directions, or checking in.
- Does your family share plan have free mobile-to-mobile minutes?
If you’re purchasing a cell phone for three of your children, and the majority of the airtime will be spent calling each other, it only
makes sense to purchase a lower anytime minutes plan with high or unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes.
- How many of those advertised minutes are really anytime minutes?
Read the fine print to make sure the anytime minutes you think you are getting are truly what the advertisement says. Sometimes, cell
phone providers will advertise a high number of airtime minutes for a great rate, but only a third of those minutes may be used during
the daytime—during the week—when many family share plans use the majority of their anytime minutes.
- Will you need web access, instant messaging, or image sending capabilities?
Most teenagers do not need any of these features, but in the age of computers and technology, they’ll want them to stay in contact with
their friends and teammates. By checking around, you can find unlimited web access, instant messaging, and image sending capabilities
for $10 to $20 more per month. That’s a great buy considering most plans charge 10- to 15 cents each time you send or receive something.
- Does your cell phone carrier include a replacement plan?
If your family share plan does not include replacement coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged phones, it’s a good idea to pay the few
extra dollars to get it. Most cell phone carriers offer free or low-cost cell phones when you sign up with their company, but once
you’re a customer, you’ll pay dearly to replace your cell phone.
In the end, choosing the right family share plan means taking the time to understand your family’s lifestyle, knowing when you’ll make
the most calls, how much you can afford to pay each month, and why you want your children to have a cell phone in the first place.
Once you’ve got that all figured out, start researching family share plan carriers.
Enter your zip code to find the best wireless phone services in your area.
About The Author:
Alyice Edrich is a freelance writer for hire who enjoys helping parents earn extra
cash from home so they can spend more time with their children. To get three free e-books or buy one of her best sellers,
visit http://thedabblingmum.com/ebookstore
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