Total Wireless: The New, No Contract, Pay-As-You-Go Cell Phone and Plan (How We Rectified Our Cell Phone Dilemma)

It’s hard being a parent. You know – so hard on so many levels. But one thing that has happened this summer is the fact that I am realizing my babies are growing up.  I hate it! I don’t want them to grow up! But, I can’t stop time and I can’t stop reality.  So, I need to make the most of the time I have with them and allow them to slowly gain their independence as they slowly mature and grow.

So what was it that happened this summer?  Well, it was the first summer of sports camps, summer camps and many other numerous activities where I was not present – at least not for all of them.  Not that I couldn’t have been, but with having a newborn this summer made it more difficult combined with the fact that that life happens. But they are old enough to go to these things on their own.  I can’t believe it.

Our kids camping! 

So I dropped them off, gave them kisses, reminded them about who they are and waved goodbye for the day, throughout the week…seemingly all summer.

In the past few weeks, I have realized more than ever how important it would be to give them an easy way to communicate with me. I always thought it was sorta silly to give a kid under 12 a cell phone, but my mind has been changing on the subject.  I actually think it is smart. Even if they are gone only for the day – like the week they had basketball camp or swimming – or even when they were gone for a few hours – like when we dropped them off to ride in the bike parade on the 4th of July – it started to make sense.

July 4th Bike Parade

For example, coordinating with them for the bike parade was total chaos.  Alex dropped them off at the beginning of the route and made plans to try to locate and reconnect with them after their part of the parade.  The whole time I was thinking, “WOW, they seriously need a cell phone.  Life would be so much less stressful!”  And as I pondered that, I envisioned how much more both they and I could enjoy the summer, not to mention the upcoming school year with yet more and more activities and differing groups they are becoming a part of.

So, we were on the hunt for the best way to get them a cell phone and cell phone plan.  We are currently with a big cellular provider – but you know the story: We have another year on our contract – a result of one of those deals on a nice smart phone for cheap after rebates – and need to complete it to avoid high termination fees.  To add another line would cost a bit of money, incur the high price of a phone and result in an extension on our cell phone contract.

What a pain to just add a phone that will only be used here and there! We didn’t need an expensive smart phone – this is a phone for 10 and 11 year olds! We didn’t want to be locked into a new monthly rate for another two-years, we just wanted something simple!

BUT…the reason we would even think of adding the line to our current carrier is because how much we love their coverage!  We’ve played the cell phone game throughout the years to get the best deals on phones and plans, but the service areas have ALWAYS been the best for us on the most reliable network.  So because we are an active family, camping, hiking, in the mountains, road trips through the desolate places in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Montana we have recently been willing to pay just a little more for the better service.  Our current carrier is the one service that hasn’t let us down in those desolate and high places.

But, even with that we wanted a simpler solution.  We had heard and known about the “pay-as-you-go” services for a while and have even used them occasionally in the past.  It was time to check them out again and see if this would be the most cost effective way to get our kids a cell phone.

When we arrived at Walmart we were in for a pleasant surprise.  We saw this display and signage for the new no contract, pay-as-you-go service called Total Wireless.  When talking with the associate helping us, he confirmed to us that their prices were one of the best.  But when you combine that with the fact they are part of “America’s Most Reliable Network” (yep – the one we were just raving about) our interest was piqued.  He told us that in his educated opinion this was the best pay-as-you-go plan because it was the most affordable for unlimited talk and text for $25 per month or unlimited talk and text with 2.5 GB of data for $35 – all while being part of the most reliable network at the same time.  He told us they were new and already becoming more popular than any of the other no-contact plans due to the prices and the service.

Plus, we also discovered that they are the first no-contract, pay-as-you-go company to offer a family share plan.  This means that if we decide that we need another phone in a few months (honestly whenever) we can just get the second phone and start paying for the two-line plan with 5.0GB of shared date for $60 per month without worrying about contact extensions.  And if for some reason our kids have a high month of data – we can purchase an extra 1.5 GB of shared Carryover™ Add-On data knowing that it will keep carrying over month to month with active service.

Even better, the phone prices were GREAT and straight-forward – no rebates, contracts, gimmicks, etc. We weren’t surprised with a first bill of hundreds of dollars with the phone and service.  Oh, so easy and we had a phone and plan in our hands in a few minutes, came home, turned the phone on with enough charge to activate it and use it for a while…all in the space of a few minutes.  FANTASTIC.  I will share the phone we got and why later on, but just wanted to at least give you this quick head’s up for all of the Moms (and Dads) out there!

By the way, you can also purchase the service online and have the phones shipped to you and activate online as well – so never leave home and get in on the plan!

Now to have a little more peace-of-mind as I “let” my babies grow and mature…all the while knowing I am always a simple, easy, and affordable phone call away.

Have you heard of or seen Total Wireless in Walmart yet?  We’d love to know your thoughts!

Don’t pay for more than you need. With Total Wireless you get everything you need and nothing you don’t on America’s largest and most reliable network. No contracts. No credit checks.  And no headaches.

Disclosure: We are Total Wireless bloggers and are compensated for our time although all opinions and cell phone experiences are truly our own. Please know our continual goal is to provide you good products for a value to help you save you both time and money. Please see our Disclosure Policy for additional information.