Cell Phones

Ok, so I'm a cell phone junkie. I think a lot of people are. However, cell phones are becoming more and more expensive. I will probably update this post periodically, as I find new ways of cutting corners. I try to combine things. If I have to buy something, is there any way that I can get something more out of the transaction. Is there any way that I can negotiate a better price, or bundle 2 items together for what it would have cost me to buy one thing. It's an art, I agree, and for me it's a simple way of having some fun in an otherwise mundane experience.

I have a Treo 650 and Verizon is my carrier. Most of my family and Jenn's family use Verizon, so for us, it just makes sense to stick with this carrier at this time. However, I also realize that probably less than 5% of all of my calls are to other Verizon customers, so it's not that big of a deal. We also have unlimited long distance with our home phone, so when we are home, we use that service which is through AT&T. I'm thinking about switching to AT&T cell phone (so that I can bundle my home phone and cell phone, thus saving a few bucks). I call home more than any other number when I'm on the road, so to call home when I'm on the road would be "In" if I switch. I'm seriously thinking about it. Also, I don't have the data package, even though I have a Treo. It's another $50.00 or so a month after taxes and fees (don't forget about that), and for me it's not worth it. I already get an 18% discount because I'm a state employee (another one of those, Never hurts to ask scenarios). If I'm on the road and need to check my email, usually I will know in advance, and so I will bring my laptop, which obviously has Wi-Fi, and I will find a wireless network to plug into. I have great luck at fast food restaurants and car dealerships, believe it or not. Starbucks and places like that often charge you, so I will even find a Panera, where it's free.

Madalyn was chewing on my phone months ago and the letter "B" and number "0" stopped working. I called Verizon and they were going to charge me several hundred dollars to replace it. I was like, nope, after all, I bought it on Ebay for $125.00 (used). So, I called Palm, the manufacturer, explained the situation, they asked me when I bought the phone. I told them July (true) and they said that I could get a replacement for $25.00 if I sent in my old one. I agreed, and got a brand-new Treo 650 for that amount. Never hurts to ask.

I recently learned that if you get one of the newer Treos, they have a built in wireless card, so you don't even need a data package if you have a wireless connection available. Look into that to get around the data package price (which by the way I cannot have my 18% discount added to, it's only for the voice package).