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Miss Lori is a cell phone wireless plan Free Agent, let the bidding begin!

July 26, 2010 By 9 Comments
Phones! Phones! Phones! They really seem to rule my life these days. My cell phone bill is one of the largest bills I pay each month outside of my mortgage. Yikes! What does that mean exactly? It means I am ruled by my wireless company. I am at their mercy, or at least I have been for the last two years. However, right now I am at a wonderful crossroads. Every one of my family’s phones are off contract. Oh yes! That means I am a FREE AGENT! (Look out Lebron!) Now my children each have a very strong opinion about what they want me to do. All of their suggestions are fueled by the images of dancing smart phones in their heads. (However, I don’t believe that children should have internet access on their phones. I don’t mind if they have the ability to tap into their facebook accounts, but that’s it.) Nevertheless, I need to take a more fiscally responsible approach. (Although I wouldn’t mind a dancing smart phone myself!).

For the last several years I have had my service through AT&T. It’s been a love hate relationship, (they love my money and I hate to give it to them). I have truthfully had issues with their service. Many dropped calls. But mostly I just feel like I am paying too much. But maybe I just don’t have a proper frame of reference. I have looked into the other companies, but I have to be honest with you the numbers, plans and phones are all overwhelming me. And let me say I am not easily overwhelmed. Maybe what I have is good with AT&T and maybe it isn’t. I can’t tell.

So I am bringing it to my community. I need your help. Before I leave for New York City and the Blogher convention I must get a new phone. I really must because my Tilt phone is acting up and not holding much of a charge. (I can’t goto Blogher with a wimpy battery. Perish the thought!) So, over the course of the next week I really want to hear from you about what phones and plans you like for yourself, your business and your family. Please don’t be shy. Let it all out. I can’t do this alone. I need you and your opinions, so let me have it.

I have posted my current wireless bill below so you can see what kind of business I have been doing. Talk about laying it all out there! (I feel so vulnerable!) If you work for a wireless company, (such as Verizon, Cricket, US Cellular, Sprint, even AT&T), I don’t mind hearing from you either. Go ahead, make your pitch. I am all ears, literally! That was a phone joke. Get it? (Maybe I should stick to signing.)

I Need:

2 Smart phones complete with data plans for heavy social media use

2 Phones with Qwerty Keyboards for heavy texting

1 air card with unlimited data plan

Unlimited family text plan

SMILE On!

ML

This is a Level 13 post,

Miss Lori can be found Musing from her Minivan at MissLori.TV , Wearetherealdeal.com , YoungChicagonista , ChicagoMomsBlog , and ChicagoMoms.com. She is the  Chicago Family Entertainment Blogger for Examiner.com and a Discussion Leader for MomsLikeMeChicago. You can also see her Activating to Be Great at Miss Lori’s CAMPUS on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Wireless Summary -
Cycle Dates: May 24, 2010 – Jun 23, 2010
Monthly Service                            $284.95
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges       $9.19
Voice Usage                                  $0.29
Taxes                                       $48.82
Total Wireless Charges                     $343.25
Mobile Charges Summary
312 Miss Lori Group: 1
Monthly Service                            $160.00
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges       $5.02
Taxes                                       $21.40
Charges for this mobile                    $186.42
312 Air Card
Miss Lori
Monthly Service                             $59.99
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges       $0.71
Taxes                                       $11.00
Charges for this mobile                     $71.70
312 Son Group: 1
Monthly Service                              $9.99
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges       $1.18
Voice Usage                                  $0.29
Taxes                                        $4.10
Charges for this mobile                     $15.56
312 husband Group: 1
Monthly Service                             $39.99
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges       $1.14
Taxes                                        $8.26
Charges for this mobile                     $49.39
312 Daughter Group: 1
Monthly Service                             $14.98
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges       $1.14
Taxes                                        $4.06
Charges for this mobile                     $20.18
Group Usage Summary – Group: 1
Voice
Rollover Summary
Previous Balance                            10,403
Unused Minutes Added                           777
Minutes Expired (*)                         -1,021
Minutes Adjusted                               150
Current Rollover Balance                    10,309
(*) Unused Plan Minutes Expired
After 12 Billing Periods
FT9NTN2100RUMMUNW
1634 Minutes Used by              312 Miss Lori
344 Minutes Used by              312 Son
572 Minutes Used by              312 Husband
52 Minutes Used by              312 Daughter
2602 Minutes Used by This Group
2100 Minutes Included
Data
FT9NTN2100RUMMUNW
817 Text Messages Used by        312 Miss Lori
4,044 Text Messages Used by        312 Son
1,058 Text Messages Used by        312 husband
303 Text Messages Used by        312 Daughter
6,222 Text Messages Used by This Group
1 MMS Messages Used by         312 Miss Lori
1 MMS Messages Used by This Group
312 Miss Lori
Monthly Service
Jun 24 thru Jul 23
4 -01. FT9NTN2100RUMMUNW 100.00
2100 ANYTIME MINUTES
ANYTIME ROLLOVER MINS
BasicVoiceMail
Call Hold
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Direct Bill Detail
FAMILY TALK ADDTL
IMMEDIATE CALL FORWARD
MESSAGE NOTIFICATION
NO ANSWER CALL FORWARD
Nation GSM
THREE-WAY CALLING
UNL Nght & Wknd Min
UNLTD EXP M2M MINS
4 -02. AT&T Direct Bill .00
4 -03. EXPANDEDINTLROAM .00
4 -04. GSM Coverage Area .00
4 -05. Int’l Roaming .00
4 -06. Intl Roam Toll .00
DOMESTIC LD
INTERNATIONAL LD
4 -07. IntlDialingAllowed .00
4 -08. Off-Network Roam .00
4 -09. StandardILD .00
DOMESTIC LD
Toll International
4 -10. Unlimited Expd M2M .00
4 -11. Unlimited N&W .00
4 -12. FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED 30.00
Multimedia Messaging
Text/Instant Msgs
4 -13. SMT PERSONAL 30.00
Total Monthly Service 160.00
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges
4 -01. Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge .68
4 -02. Federal Universal Service Charge 4.34
Total Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges 5.02
Voice Usage Summary
Unlimited Expd M2M
408 Minutes Used
2100 Rollover Mins
1,014 Minutes Used
Unlimited N&W
212 Minutes Used
Total Voice Usage Summary .00
Data Usage Summary
FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED
817 Text Messages Used
FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED
1 Multimedia Messages Used
SMT PERSONAL
19,856 Kilobytes Used
Total Data Usage Summary .00
Taxes
4 -01. IL 911 Surcharge 2.50
4 -02. Municipal Telecommunications Tax 9.45
4 -03. State/Municipal Telecommunications Tax 9.45
Total Taxes 21.40
Total for  312 Miss Lori ATT Tilt 186.42
312 Air Card Miss Lori
Monthly Service
Jun 24 thru Jul 23
4 -01. BMDTCN2YR 59.99
Call Hold
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Direct Bill Detail
IMMEDIATE CALL FORWARD
NO ANSWER CALL FORWARD
THREE-WAY CALLING
4 -02. $.79 Roam Rate .00
4 -03. AT&T Direct Bill .00
4 -04. EXPANDEDINTLROAM .00
4 -05. Int’l Roaming .00
4 -06. Intl Roam Toll .00
DOMESTIC LD
INTERNATIONAL LD
4 -07. IntlDialingAllowed .00
4 -08. Preferred Roam Area .00
4 -09. StandardILD .00
DOMESTIC LD
Toll International
4 -10. DataConnectUNL .00
DATA ACCESS
Data Access
isp.cingular
4 -11. PIC/VIDEO PayPerUse .00
4 -12. Text Msg Pay Per Use .00
Int’l Text Messaging
Text/Instant Msgs
Total Monthly Service 59.99
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges
5 -01. Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge .68
5 -02. Federal Universal Service Charge .03
Total Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges .71
Data Usage Summary
DataConnectUNL
878,785 Kilobytes Used
Total Data Usage Summary .00
Taxes
5 -01. IL 911 Surcharge 2.50
5 -02. Municipal Telecommunications Tax 4.25
5 -03. State/Municipal Telecommunications Tax 4.25
Total Taxes 11.00
Total for  312 Air Card Miss Lori 71.70
312 Son LG Neon
Monthly Service
Jun 24 thru Jul 23
5 -01. FT9NTN2100RUMMUNW 9.99
2100 ANYTIME MINUTES
ANYTIME ROLLOVER MINS
BasicVoiceMail
Call Hold
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Direct Bill Detail
FAMILY TALK ADDTL
IMMEDIATE CALL FORWARD
MESSAGE NOTIFICATION
NO ANSWER CALL FORWARD
Nation GSM
THREE-WAY CALLING
UNL Nght & Wknd Min
UNLTD EXP M2M MINS
5 -02. AT&T Direct Bill .00
5 -03. GSM Coverage Area .00
5 -04. Int’l Roaming .00
5 -05. IntLongDistAllowed-Restricted .00
5 -06. Intl Roam Toll .00
DOMESTIC LD
INTERNATIONAL LD
5 -07. Off-Network Roam .00
5 -08. STANDARDINTLROAM .00
5 -09. Unlimited Expd M2M .00
5 -10. Unlimited N&W .00
5 -11. DATA OPT OUT .00
5 -12. FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED .00
Multimedia Messaging
Text/Instant Msgs
Total Monthly Service 9.99
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges
5 -01. Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge .68
5 -02. Federal Universal Service Charge .50
Total Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges 1.18
Voice Usage Summary
Unlimited Expd M2M
143 Minutes Used
2100 Rollover Mins
99 Minutes Used
Unlimited N&W
102 Minutes Used
Long Distance
5 -01. Domestic .29
Total Long Distance .29
Total Voice Usage Summary .29
Data Usage Summary
FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED
4,044 Text Messages Used
Total Data Usage Summary .00
Taxes
5 -01. IL 911 Surcharge 2.50
5 -02. Municipal Telecommunications Tax .80
5 -03. State/Municipal Telecommunications Tax .80
Total Taxes 4.10
Total for  312 Son LG Neon 15.56
312 Husband iphone
Monthly Service
Jun 24 thru Jul 23
5 -01. FT9NTN2100RUMMUNW 9.99
2100 ANYTIME MINUTES
ANYTIME ROLLOVER MINS
Call Hold
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Direct Bill Detail
FAMILY TALK ADDTL
IMMEDIATE CALL FORWARD
MESSAGE NOTIFICATION
NO ANSWER CALL FORWARD
Nation GSM
THREE-WAY CALLING
UNL Nght & Wknd Min
UNLTD EXP M2M MINS
5 -02. AT&T Direct Bill .00
5 -03. EXPANDEDINTLROAM .00
5 -04. GSM Coverage Area .00
5 -05. Int’l Roaming .00
5 -06. Intl Roam Toll .00
DOMESTIC LD
INTERNATIONAL LD
5 -07. IntlDialingAllowed .00
6 -01. Off-Network Roam .00
6 -02. StandardILD .00
DOMESTIC LD
Toll International
6 -03. Unlimited Expd M2M .00
6 -04. Unlimited N&W .00
6 -05. VISUAL VM POSTPD .00
6 -06. VOICEMAIL .00
Message Waiting Ind. (ICON)
6 -07. iPhone Customer .00
6 -08. DATA PLAN IPHONE 30.00
6 -09. Data Unlimited .00
DATA ACCESS
DATA ACCESS
6 -10. FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED .00
Multimedia Messaging
Text/Instant Msgs
Total Monthly Service 39.99
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges
6 -01. Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge .68
6 -02. Federal Universal Service Charge .46
Total Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges 1.14
Voice Usage Summary
Unlimited Expd M2M
314 Minutes Used
2100 Rollover Mins
198 Minutes Used
Unlimited N&W
60 Minutes Used
Total Voice Usage Summary .00
Data Usage Summary
FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED
1,058 Text Messages Used
Data Unlimited
318,813 Kilobytes Used
Total Data Usage Summary .00
Taxes
6 -01. IL 911 Surcharge 2.50
6 -02. Municipal Telecommunications Tax 2.88
6 -03. State/Municipal Telecommunications Tax 2.88
Total Taxes 8.26
Total for Husband iphone 49.39
312 Daughter
Monthly Service
Jun 24 thru Jul 23
6 -01. FT9NTN2100RUMMUNW 9.99
2100 ANYTIME MINUTES
ANYTIME ROLLOVER MINS
BasicVoiceMail
Call Hold
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Direct Bill Detail
FAMILY TALK ADDTL
IMMEDIATE CALL FORWARD
MESSAGE NOTIFICATION
NO ANSWER CALL FORWARD
Nation GSM
THREE-WAY CALLING
UNL Nght & Wknd Min
UNLTD EXP M2M MINS
6 -02. AT&T Direct Bill .00
6 -03. ELA Toll .00
6 -04. Equip Insurance Prem 4.99
6 -05. GSM Coverage Area .00
6 -06. IntlDialingAllowed .00
6 -07. Off-Network Roam .00
6 -08. StandardILD .00
DOMESTIC LD
Toll International
6 -09. StandardIntlDial .00
6 -10. Unlimited Expd M2M .00
6 -11. Unlimited N&W .00
6 -12. DATA OPT OUT .00
6 -13. FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED .00
Multimedia Messaging
Text/Instant Msgs
Total Monthly Service 14.98
Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges
6 -01. Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge .68
6 -02. Federal Universal Service Charge .46
Total Credits, Adjustments and Other Charges 1.14
Voice Usage Summary
Unlimited Expd M2M
31 Minutes Used
2100 Rollover Mins
12 Minutes Used
Unlimited N&W
9 Minutes Used
Total Voice Usage Summary .00
Data Usage Summary
FAMILY MSG UNLIMITED
303 Text Messages Used
Total Data Usage Summary .00
Taxes
6 -01. IL 911 Surcharge 2.50
6 -02. Municipal Telecommunications Tax .78
6 -03. State/Municipal Telecommunications Tax .78
Total Taxes 4.06
Total for  312 Daughter 20.18
Total AT&T Wireless Services 343.25
Filed Under: Miss Lori At Home, Miss Lori's Recommendations Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

About misslori
Miss Lori is a nationally recognized children's entertainer and educator.

  • http://www.verizonwireless.com Brad

    To have 4 phones on a Verizon Wireless plan with the same options that your currently have this would be $270 (plus taxes) per month for the phones and 1 aircard. Of course this is putting you on a Verizon plan with a verizon phone, this means that you will be able to benefit from reliable 3g data service with more coverage than ATT or Sprint. Also included in this price plan is “Friends and Family” a awesome benefit that allows you to make contact with 10 phones that are not on Verizon’s network for free. Dont worry we already give you free calling to all 90 million plus subscribers and calling on nights and weekend for free too. Utilizing this feature even on our 1400 minute plan will provide you with a good deal of conversation without worry of minutes at a cost savings. We have the best phones out now like the Incredible, the droid x, and a complete line of blackberry’s. Some of our phones now are even Buy One Get One FREE. Phones like the NEW Samsung Realty BUY ONE GET ONE FREE is a great deal for someone who is a heavy texter with access to facebook for an addional cost of $9.99 per month for 25mb’s.

    Hope this helps

  • http://www.verizonwireless.com Brad

    To have 4 phones on a Verizon Wireless plan with the same options that your currently have this would be $270 (plus taxes) per month for the phones and 1 aircard. Of course this is putting you on a Verizon plan with a verizon phone, this means that you will be able to benefit from reliable 3g data service with more coverage than ATT or Sprint. Also included in this price plan is “Friends and Family” a awesome benefit that allows you to make contact with 10 phones that are not on Verizon’s network for free. Dont worry we already give you free calling to all 90 million plus subscribers and calling on nights and weekend for free too. Utilizing this feature even on our 1400 minute plan will provide you with a good deal of conversation without worry of minutes at a cost savings. We have the best phones out now like the Incredible, the droid x, and a complete line of blackberry’s. Some of our phones now are even Buy One Get One FREE. Phones like the NEW Samsung Realty BUY ONE GET ONE FREE is a great deal for someone who is a heavy texter with access to facebook for an addional cost of $9.99 per month for 25mb’s.

    Hope this helps

  • Michael

    You should check out the prepaid plans offered by Net10. They offer great phones at a low prices and there is absolutely no contract.

  • Michael

    You should check out the prepaid plans offered by Net10. They offer great phones at a low prices and there is absolutely no contract.

  • Pingback: Miss Lori’s top 10 things to carry in your purse at Blogher | misslori.tv

  • Nanci

    What a GINORMOUS amount of money. I am in the same boat…….A cell phone is a necessity in today’s world. It seems to me one of these companies should be able to make good service affordable

  • Nanci

    What a GINORMOUS amount of money. I am in the same boat…….A cell phone is a necessity in today’s world. It seems to me one of these companies should be able to make good service affordable

  • http://littletechgirl.com Kris Cain

    WOW!! My girlfriend and I have been talking over phones etc. this morning. I just recently did a review of a couple of cool phones. First the HTC Droid Incredible on Verizon, and the Motorola Droid X, also on Verizon. I have also been using the HTC Tilt 2 for the ATT Lose the Laptop contest.

    I would love to get my hands on an Evo to test out. But those seems to be hard to come by these days. They are sold out everywhere.

    My suggestion to you if funds are a big part of it is to seriously check out the phones and plans on Sprit. The Evo would be my choice. They have that $99 everything plan, and the Family Everything plan starts at $189 per month.

    My main phone is still my iPhone 3Gs which I do love, but I’m not getting the new one probably until the next revision (if at all). :)

    Good luck in your quest! Be sure to let us all know what you get.

    BTW, I LOVE the new theme. It’s very similar to one that I have been looking at for my redesign.

  • http://littletechgirl.com Kris Cain

    WOW!! My girlfriend and I have been talking over phones etc. this morning. I just recently did a review of a couple of cool phones. First the HTC Droid Incredible on Verizon, and the Motorola Droid X, also on Verizon. I have also been using the HTC Tilt 2 for the ATT Lose the Laptop contest.

    I would love to get my hands on an Evo to test out. But those seems to be hard to come by these days. They are sold out everywhere.

    My suggestion to you if funds are a big part of it is to seriously check out the phones and plans on Sprit. The Evo would be my choice. They have that $99 everything plan, and the Family Everything plan starts at $189 per month.

    My main phone is still my iPhone 3Gs which I do love, but I’m not getting the new one probably until the next revision (if at all). :)

    Good luck in your quest! Be sure to let us all know what you get.

    BTW, I LOVE the new theme. It’s very similar to one that I have been looking at for my redesign.