Good-bye Smart Phone :(

Well 2010 was a good run. I could check my email, surf the web, text, download free apps, download pictures, and more often than not... hang up on someone simply by pushing my face up against my smart phone.

This used flip phone to the left of the Droid was sent to us by my mother-in-law who had upgraded a while ago.  This phone comes complete with calling ability, antennae and a car charger.  No regular charger... that must have gotten lost years ago.

"Can you hear me now? No? Ok let me pull up the antennae."

Enough pouting... lets focus on the good...  We will now save an extra $15 per month because we
no longer need to have a data plan.  $15 doesn't seem like a lot so lets extrapolate that out:

$15 x 12 months = $180 for 1 year

Now we expect to keep things pretty tight for the next 3 years $180 x 3 = $540.

Our December cell phone bill was $204.36
January cell phone + home phone bill = $25

Just for fun lets take a long term look at that savings:  $204.36 - $25 = $179.36
$179.36 x 12 = $2,152.32 savings in 1 year!!!!
Now how about over our 3 year plan = $2,152.32 x 3 = $6,456.96

That is some good savings!!!!   I know you are thinking "My cell phone bill isn't $200!"
Alright lets look at some average cell phone bills:
1 personal cell phone bill is about $80 a month.  $55 savings each month if you drop to a $10 cell phone and a $15 land line from vonage.  $55 x 12 = $660 in the first year.  $660 x 3 = $1,980 savings in 3 years.

The average couple has a cell phone bill of lets say $125. Drop the cell to $10 a month and add a $15 land line and you have a savings of $100.  $100 x 12 = $1,200 savings per year.  $1,200 x 3 = $3,600 over 3 years.

Today's Lesson:  When you are giving up something small, like a $15 payment a month, take a look at how much you will save long term.  It will give you the motivation you need to 'cut the cord'.