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[professorpaint]

Hello! First post on the fora.

I'm paying $110 per month to AT&T for my iPhone subscription, plus an additional $50 per month on a WIMAX modem for internet access at home, so I'm trying to find a way to save money on my smartphone/computer/wireless services without losing functionality.

I've had AT&T wireless forever. I bought an iPhone 3G back in 2008 when AT&T offered unlimited data plans, whee! I never did upgrade to the newer iPhone models. I'm a heavy user of technology but slow to spend money on upgrading to newer devices. If it works I just keep using it. I've had the same Macbook since 2006 and if it weren't for the screen getting too dim I'd keep using it forever (as it is I will have to invest in a new laptop soon).

As an aside, I'm in the visual arts so I've been a Mac user since the early 1990's. It's still standard in my field.

Since I still have the same plan and phone, AT&T is obligated to uphold my unlimited data contract, although they have phased this out for everyone except the holdouts like me. Starting last month AT&T began sending me annoying text messages like this one: "ATT Free Msg: Your data usage is among the top 5% of users. Data speeds for this bill cycle may be reduced." I use the phone constantly for internet access, GPS maps, email, and google calendars, and listen to the radio online. This is one more reason to consider dumping AT&T and finding another way.

A friend suggested that an iPod Touch plus a cheap phone with text/calling plan might cut down on costs. Has anyone out there tried this? It's a hassle because I'd have to end the WIMAX subscription and switch to a cable internet connection instead to have wireless at home for the iPod Touch (the WIMAX modem only works with one computer at a time).

I'm pretty dependent on the iPhone now, but maybe I should buy a Garmin GPS device for the car, an iPod Touch for email, calendars, music, audiobooks, internet radio, etc. Or maybe an iPad would be better?.... Or maybe I could find some kind of device at Radio Shack that would amplify local open wireless networks? It would be great not to have to deal with the cable company again. I'm confused by too many choices here, argh.

I'm dumping a lot of details into this post so apologies if this is barely readable, but I'm hoping that someone on the fora has navigated through similar issues and might have some recommendations.

[this_is_water]

One thing I did to cut my cell phone bill was to switch from AT&T to a regional carrier (CSpire, or as I like to call it, Cease Fire). At the time this meant switching from the iPhone to an Android phone, but they now carry the iPhone as well. I get a much better deal with unlimited data, texts, and 450 minutes for roughly $60 a month. (I don't actually use my phone for talking that much. Sad, I know.)

I was worried about what would happen going out of my region. I do go into roaming fairly easily, but when I'm roaming I'm on Verizon's network so I've never had problems getting a signal. The only change I notice is that it cuts my battery life.

Anyway, my advice is to look into regional carriers and ask a lot of questions about roaming, etc. I've been really happy with my choice.

[marigolds]

Mostly posting here for updates, because I'm in the same situation.  (Our wireless bill is $250/mo for two of us, though, and our $50/month is for cable internet.)  I have an iPad that's wifi-only and a MacBook Pro and have access to wireless most of the time when I'm not in the car.

I'm not sure how buying a bunch of separate devices (Garmin, iPod touch, iPad) and getting rid of the iPhone would save you money.  If you bought internet separately you could go to a cheaper iPhone plan w/o the unlimited data (I'm grandfathered in also, but they SAY that it's very rare for people to go over the larger monthly data plan.) You can also upgrade your iPhone without changing your plan as long as you don't add text messaging or anything that's directly plan-related, if that's part of your question.  

I don't know if that was helpful at all--probably not.

[2clueless]

I've had AT&T wireless forever. I bought an iPhone 3G back in 2008 when AT&T offered unlimited data plans, whee! I never did upgrade to the newer iPhone models. I'm a heavy user of technology but slow to spend money on upgrading to newer devices.

Technically, you're still spending money on upgrading, just without the ability to enjoy the upgraded technology. If you purchased your phone with a two-year contract, AT&T subsidized the purchase price of your phone; part of the monthly bill "repays" the subsidy. After two years - when you're eligible for another subsidized phone - you've fully repaid the subsidy. If you keep the old phone after that, you're continuing to "repay" AT&T. This is why I just replaced my 3GS with a 4S: I had almost no problems with the 3GS, although it started to run slowly after I upgraded to iOS 5.x. The 4S is much, much faster. (The camera is better, but I haven't noticed many other differences.) Apple is selling the 4S unlocked, without a contract; if you compare that price to the price of the iphone with a two year contract, you can get an idea of the amount of the subsidy.

Since I still have the same plan and phone, AT&T is obligated to uphold my unlimited data contract, although they have phased this out for everyone except the holdouts like me. Starting last month AT&T began sending me annoying text messages like this one: "ATT Free Msg: Your data usage is among the top 5% of users. Data speeds for this bill cycle may be reduced." I use the phone constantly for internet access, GPS maps, email, and google calendars, and listen to the radio online. This is one more reason to consider dumping AT&T and finding another way.

You can keep your unlimited data plan until you cancel it, even if you upgrade your phone and/or change your basic phone plan (e.g., number of minutes, non-data features, etc.). AT&T recently started "throttling" the data speed for the highest 5% of users; it sounds like you fall into that category, which means that you are using far more than 2G data/month, which is the highest non-unlimited plan.

I'm pretty dependent on the iPhone now, but maybe I should buy a Garmin GPS device for the car, an iPod Touch for email, calendars, music, audiobooks, internet radio, etc. Or maybe an iPad would be better?.... Or maybe I could find some kind of device at Radio Shack that would amplify local open wireless networks? It would be great not to have to deal with the cable company again. I'm confused by too many choices here, argh.

Your iphone 3G will function as an ipod touch on a wireless network, allowing you access to email, etc. You might save money by switching to cable internet, allowing a wireless connection for your current iphone to function as an ipod touch at home, and then get some kind of GPS device that doesn't require subscription costs. However, depending on your cell phone usage, I suspect that savings are not as great as you might imagine. Several carriers have unlimited data/text/phone plans that start around $70/month, I think, although obviously not on an iphone. That might be a plausible option for you.

My financial situation has recently changed dramatically; I looked at my wireless bill for the iphone as a very plausible budget cut, but decided to prioritize keeping an iphone: it's my main source of news, email, social interaction, etc. I would really miss it. Instead, I'm thinking about getting rid of my internet connection at home or just acknowledging that I feel like I spend "too much" on communication and cutting budget items that feel less fluffy/not as overpriced, but which I don't care about as much.

[arts_and_sciences]

I'd say try Android/Verizon.  We (4 adults in one house) have Uverse with AT&T, and their data caps are becoming questionable.

Look into Verizon, I think they have a similar WiBro plan with unlimited data, and the Android supports Flash.

So it might be worth looking into, unless you could be grandfathered in/rebated on your current AT&T plan and that saves you more money, crunch the numbers as they say.

I bought a used Macbook Pro 2008 model, and it works great!

[marigolds]

Funny that all three of the people who have replied are in unstable financial situations. (I include myself.)

So take these advices with a grain of salt?

[this_is_water]

Funny that all three of the people who have replied are in unstable financial situations. (I include myself.)

So take these advices with a grain of salt?

Guilty as charged. Still, cutting the cell phone bill to 2/3s of what it used to be isn't half bad - more money to go towards those credit cards.

Also, all my advice should be taken with a pinch of salt.

[2clueless]

Funny that all three of the people who have replied are in unstable financial situations. (I include myself.)

I didn't say that my financial situation was unstable, merely that it had recently changed.

[biologist_]

I wouldn't trade your iPhone for an iPod touch unless you really need that savings.  Smartphones are just too useful - especially when you are not home with your laptop.

You can cut down on data usage substantially if you switch your home wifi to something that will allow your iPhone to connect to wifi at home instead of the 3G network.  You can probably also set your iPhone to connect to wifi while you are on campus (unless your campus wifi is spotty - if there are too many dead spots, it may be frustrating).  Then, you will only use data through AT&T when you are out and about or traveling.  The wifi will also be faster than 3G.

My smartphone connects to wifi when I'm at home and my carrier's 3G network when I'm anywhere else and it's pretty seamless.  There is one spot in the house where the phone struggles to get the weak wifi signal and doesn't switch to 3G, but that's no big deal.  There are several places like that on campus, so I do not let the phone connect to the campus wifi, but my laptop is usually handy if I'm at work.

This won't cut costs directly, but should take you out of the top 5% of data users.  You should be able to get home internet access that supports multiple devices for $50/month.  We pay that much for home phone and DSL combined.

[zuzu_]

I have an iPod touch with wifi and a $15/month cell plan with free low-end phone (that still takes pics and vids?!)

Really, I don't feel the convenience of a smartphone is worth the extra cost. Free wifi is everywhere. Entertaining audio (music, podcasts) can just be stored on the iPod and don't need to be streamed.

My spouse takes care of the technical aspects of our home internet, but we have a wireless network and we pay less than $30/month.

[eigen]

I pay around $45 per month for a phone with lots of minutes and a small texting plan. And about $30 per month for cable Internet through Cox set up through a wireless network at home. And no home phone, the cell covers it.

I also have an iPod touch(coincidentally what I'm using now). With wireless at home and on campus, it's covered most of where I am.

[minimimi]

Over the summer I dumped my home internet because I live six blocks from my office, and 90% of my internet usage was work related. I've been more than getting by with my Android, an LG Optimus V on Virgin Mobile. It's prepaid, with no contract, for $25/month, which I understand was recently raised to $35/month, but that's for unlimited data and text, with 300 voice minutes. It uses Sprint's 3G network, which works great where I am, as well as everywhere I visit regularly, but I understand Sprint can be spotty for lots of places. I got my phone for $110 off Amazon last year. I understand it could be got for a little more than half that now, depending on what Black Friday/Woot-off/cash-back deal you come across.

[ms_turtle]

I have an iPod touch with wifi and a $15/month cell plan with free low-end phone (that still takes pics and vids?!)

Really, I don't feel the convenience of a smartphone is worth the extra cost. Free wifi is everywhere. Entertaining audio (music, podcasts) can just be stored on the iPod and don't need to be streamed.

My spouse takes care of the technical aspects of our home internet, but we have a wireless network and we pay less than $30/month.

This is very, very similar to what I have. Ninety-five percent of my internet use takes place in my office or at home (cable internet). For the remaining 5%, I use my iPod touch and free wifi. I have a Tracfone that can connect to the internet if I desperately needed to, but that hasn't happened yet (knock on wood).

[professorpaint]

This thread has been very helpful. I haven't figured it all out yet but I definitely realize now that I need to get regular cable internet with a wireless router for home use instead of what I have now. And now there's a new twist: my significant other gave me a kindle fire for Christmas. I think with the Kindle I'll be able to get rid of the data plan on my phone and save about $25 per month in phone bill costs. I really don't need to have internet access every waking moment when I'm out and about, and wireless is available in so many public places now.

[wet_blanket]

Many universities have negotiated discounts with ATT/Verizon/Sprint etc.  At my uni, it ranges from 10-25%.    So not huge, but worth checking out.