How to Save $930 on Cell Phone Service!

You're out shopping for a smartphone at a low price when you come across the Samsung Intercept, a 3G Android smartphone with a 3.2" touchscreen and a slide-out keyboard. And the price is only $100! So, you go ahead and buy that phone paired with the Sprint Everything Plan. After two years of service, you'll have spent a total of $1,780. Well, you've made a huge mistake. If you had got that same phone on Virgin Mobile without a contract, sure, it would've costed $250 upfront, but you would've saved 45 dollars per month on service. So if you got the Samsung Intercept on Virgin Mobile, after two years you would've only spent $850, and saved $930. So, the lesson is, next time you're out shopping for an inexpensive phone, don't look for the cheapest upfront price, look for the cheapest carrier. My recommendations for cheap carriers are Virgin Mobile (which offers 300 minutes and unlimited texting and data for $25/mo., and uses Sprint's 3G network), Metro PCS (which offers unlimited talk, text, and data for $40/mo.) and, if you rarely ever use your phone, Tracfone (which offers 100 minutes for $10/mo., and partners with many 2G networks.).