I've had mine through Virgin Mobile for about 3 years and it suits me fine....I really don't use my phone that often, just learned how to text and can take pictures....I have it mostly for emergencies and when traveling and probably pay $20.00 every 3 months...It is a pay when you use and when I do travel, I do use it more often and have it set up, when my minutes get low, Virgin automatically charges my credit card and adds minutes....I really do like my phone and think it's a great service.....

Wow, Sunny, $20. every 3 months? I have never heard or a plan that low. Excellent, thank you! That may not fit my exact needs but it's good to know plans like that exist, thanks.

sooey

there are many companies that now do pay as you go and if you don't need it certain months you do not pay. Walmart has a few different plans, Cricket is another, Boost is one, I have a friend that uses Boost it has a $2 a day plan unlimited which is pretty neat if you don't use the phone much.

I just got the brand new HTC Inspire 4G phone which I must say is awesome. I got 2 free since I am with ATT and was eligible for upgrade on both of our accounts.

Most companies like ATT or Verizon the name companies will give you a free phone to sign up on contract.

Straight Talk...no contract, uses Verizon pre-paid towers if the phone model ends in C. I have the Samsung R451C, slide-out keyboard. I have the $30.00 all you need plan, 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts, and 30 mb mobile web access (very slow, but I rarely use that except to check weather if we're not home and it looks stormy).
Works wonderfully!

Forgot to mention, I had a heck of a time texting before I got this phone, much easier with the keyboard. And to my surprise, I love texting. Sometimes, when I can't get a call thru or it's too noisy to hear, I text instead.

Yup, it'd be wise to look at other companies to compare.
Here's an article about an important change Verizon is making for new smartphone customers:

Here is a link that might be useful: washington post

Several people I know have the Straight Talk from Walmart also. The ones I know have the unlimited plan for $45/mo. Haven't heard any complaints on it yet and its been a year since 4 family members went with it.
I have Tracfone now. Used to have a monthly plan with them and just did not use it enough. I would only buy a phone that gives you double minutes for life though. Whatever card you buy, gives you double minutes. Like Buy 60 minutes you get 120 on your phone, or buy 100 minutes you get 200 on your phone. They are good for 3 months. Can't remember the prices for all, but 60 minutes is $19.99. Look online for information. The texts cost you like 1/3rd unit, a unit is 1 minute which is the talk time.

I've had Verizon for over 10 years, paid $42 month w/ tax and hardly used any of my 300 monthly mins since I work from home so I'm always here for the most part. It was a basic phone, no text, just talk. Yesterday I had it deactivated. I bought LG phone for DH and I thru Tracfone (actually an HSN special with TRIPLE minutes for life, comes with 1200 minutes, with promo, I got 1400 for a year for $99) and have been using it for 2+ months. It has text, web, camera and all kinds of goodies. Not a Smartphone, but functions almost like one. Love it and the service is thru ATT. I'm surprised how much I'm using the camera which takes good pics, and texting. The web came in handy one day when I needed a phone #. While Tracfone doesn't have great customer service - it's hit or miss, I'm saving a chunk of money per month, but I will miss Verizon's great cust. srv. I just can't justify spending over $100/month for their phone, calling plan, data & text plans. No reason when I can get all the above for less than $10/month. So far, so good.

Thanks, Kids,

You have all given me some good info and some direction. I knew I could do better and get more for less $$. I am on a mission!

Thank You, all!

sooey

Love my Blackberry- this is my second one, and there is another one the desk drawer for when this one meets it's demise...texting is east, has full qwerty keyboard, I love it because I can call so many people just by pressing the letter their names begin with, use the speaker button and lay it in the neck of my shirt when driving. I had it before the mandatory data plans, so have an exclusion on my account for it.
I recently upgraded and got the Samsung Solstice II. What a waste of money and time...I kept dialing 114141144114 when talking if it touched my cheekbone, and it was far to complicated to navigate. Just hated it and told AT&T the best place for it was in the middle of the flooding Missouri river...took it back and got an upgrade reversal.
Just try out someones phone that you know, get a feel for it and decide which type you like. I was bound and determined to try the touch screen, but not anymore...they can have it!!
We have 5 phones on my plan, and 3 of them have unlimited data. I don't need it, nor my husband who wouldn't have the slightest idea how to text.He has the Rugby. Only one he could hear ring well enough. He just couldn't find any more Razrs. He loved one version of them.