Geezer question about cell phone stuff

[showme]

I have a really embarrassing question to ask, and since I've always gotten good advice on here about my technical questions, I thought I'd ask you knowledgeable folks for an answer (Please promise not to laugh- I've searched the internet, and still can't figure this out). Ok, this has to do with my phone bill, and gigabyte usage, specifically. I, myself, refuse to get a "smart" phone, preferring my antiquated Samsung 'slider' (it even takes pictures!!) dumb phone, so I am really way behind in what most of you consider status quo. Here we go...
My phone gets and receives phone calls, texts and takes and sends/receives pictures. That's about all I know about it. Apparently, there's a way to hook up to the internet, because sometimes I hit the wrong button and an AT&T thingy starts spinning around, at which point I frantically try to shut it off, or just slam the thing shut, hoping it will go away. My wife, on the other hand, has a smart phone, which my daughter gave to her, and she's on it constantly, either playing word or "criminal" detective games, checking the weather, using the GPS and who knows what else. Our phones are through our daughters plan, which worked good while our daughter lived in Seattle, so they could talk stay in touch. We pay her $80 a month to have us on her plan.
Well, she has moved back to the St. Louis area now, and I'd like to get ourselves back on our own plan, but when I checked them out today, I am totally confused as to what I would need X amount of gigabytes for, if I need them at all. Like I said, we have wireless U-Verse for our desk and laptop computers, and I don't really see the sense in using a phone as a portable computer when we have perfectly good computers at the house. So, my question is, do I even need a plan that has 10, 20 or a hundred GB's for phones that would be specifically to make and receive calls and texts? And if I don't, where do I look to find such a plan, without AT&T, or whomever I use, assuming that I want all the speed I can find. I don't play games, watch movies or anything else on my phone that can be done on a computer. I, personally, still cherish the old days where the phone was in your house or business and if you weren't there to answer the call, the caller would just have to call you back later. As I said, I am a geezer with geezerly ways. Thanks for any and all reply's and help in this matter. Lee

[Dutch_12078]

. Delete, posting error.

[Dutch_12078]

AsheGuy wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I don't know if being 73 qualifies me as a "geezer" or not...

I think "geezerhood" is a mindset. 🙂

Oh good! In that case, I'm still a 20 something. In mind, if not in body anyway... :B

[punomatic]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Check out 'Consumer Cellular'

This is the best bet for your situation. Consumer Cellular uses the AT&T network; their plans are very flexible and start at about $10/month. You can upgrade/downgrade your plan as frequently as you like. DW and I had CC for years, until our need for data (gigabytes) outstripped their offerings. Now we have Verizon, which costs about twice as much. I recently learned that CC has increased the available data plans (gigabytes), so I am looking into changing back.

The person who suggested having your daughter check her past bills to see how much data you and your wife used is a great one. Then you can choose a CC plan with that amount of data (gigabytes). BTW, CC customer service was always superb. Also, you don't have to be an AARP member to use CC.

[ol__yeller]

Maybe we need to take a step back and define some terms so he can make an informed decision. You mention you have a wireless router at home and folks keep mentioning WIFI. WIFI is what you provide at your home Via the router and there are no charges to your Data usage on the cell bill. WIFI is also available in many other places, Starbucks, libraries, most private campgrounds to name a few. I also have found it in my doctor's office, at the clubhouse of our community, many stores, and even at the local hospital. You can set your phone to notify you (or your wife) when WIFI is available so you can switch to it and not activate any Data charges.

One of the largest consumers of Data are things like streaming Data like TV shows or videos. Checking email or searching the web typically aren't big users of Data. Using the GPS function could be a big user if left on for hours at a time. My Galaxy5 on Verizon has a handy app that allows me to check my Data usage anytime.

Both my wife and I are on a shared plan. Neither of us stream much video. We try to use WIFI whenever it is available. I use more Data than she does especially when camping as that is generally the only way for me to come to here and other forums I frequent. We are both on Facebook and have lovely very young grandkids that we like to keep tabs on when we are away. Our plan allows for 3 Gig of Data and we have only bumped up against that 3 times in the 3 years we have had this plan. All 3 times it was on the last day of the billing month so we just stayed off the Web until the next month's plan took effect the next day. The suggestions to ask your daughter to check her bills and see how much Data you 2 used is probably the best way to determine your usage to start. If she isn't able to do that, and if you are an authorized user with her carrier, you could call the carrier and they should be happy to tell you how much Data your wife has used historically over many months. I'd recommend a shared Data plan, not one where you get so much Data and she gets so much Data. As she seems to be the biggest user she can use your unused bandwidth.

[pyoung47]

The other day an "older" dude whipped out his flip phone (from it's holster) and made a call. Afterwards, I asked, "What is that thing?" His wife answered (seriously) "A phone." "Really," I answered.

Anyway, phones and the internet are like religion to me -- I don't go around trying to convert anyone. If you are worried about using data, and don't want to use data, your carrier can disable that function.

[AsheGuy]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I don't know if being 73 qualifies me as a "geezer" or not...

I think "geezerhood" is a mindset. 🙂

[Dutch_12078]

I don't know if being 73 qualifies me as a "geezer" or not, but I'm currently on my fourth smartphone, and wouldn't be without one now. I use it for all sorts things like weather forecasts and radar, finding the best location for setting up our satellite dish, texting, banking, backup GPS, GPS tracking, police/fire scanner, e-reader, calendar/memos, notes, USPS/FEDEX/UPS tracking, picture taking/uploading, pedometer, calculator, gas prices, RV park finder, restaurant locator, compass, level, flashlight, alarm clock, units converter, remote computer support, and... oh yeah, even phone calls, both cell and minutes free VOIP over WiFi.

[bpounds]

I think your question was, do you need a data plan, and if so, how much?

Your wife has a smart phone, so you definitely need data. My wife and I both share a 2GB plan, and I don't think we ever use even 1GB. But we pay attention and use Wifi whenever possible. You see, you get the same data over Wifi, but it doesn't come over the cell tower, so it doesn't count against your cell data plan. As you describe your useage, I think a 2GB plan would be more than enough, and that's a very entry level plan.

I think you should get yourself a smart phone however. You say you don't use it, but since your wife has one, I'll bet she is using it to inform you about stuff, particularly if you travel. That's not a bad way to go, just share one data capable device. My wife and I lived like that for several years, because while I don't consider myself a geezer, and I work with digital things all day long, I resisted being tied to another gizmo. Eventually I gave in. I cannot imagine traveling without at least one smart device along.

[strollin]

My wife has a flip phone for making phone calls. I gave her an old smartphone that isn't activated (no cellular connection). She can connect to the internet via wifi and download/upload things or whatever else. While away from wifi, she can play the games she has installed on the phone.

Old smartphones with no cellular or wifi connection can be used for GPS, game playing, music playing, camera, calculator, etc... Connected via wifi, they can do just about everything any other cell phone can do, including making and receiving phone calls (via VOIP). It's basically a miniature tablet with no built-in 3G.

A smartphone used in this manner uses NO data and needs/has NO data plan.

[joebedford]

I'm a geezer with a brand-new flip phone but I know how to run all the do-dads on a smartphone. I just don't see the point.

[fla-gypsy]

4 GB of data should be plenty

[pennysmom09]

We are geezers too! We each have the Galaxy S4 . There is definitely a learning curve but so worth it. We can find each other when shopping, check traffic situations and alternate routes, and entertain ourselves when in waiting situations. We have the 16 gig plan with AT&T since we have iPads and kindles too.

[dons2346]

So you are on the daughter's plan and you pay her. If things are working for you, there is no reason to change just because she moved

[coolmom42]

Bowti wrote:

darsben1 wrote:
The sentence " My wife, on the other hand, has a smart phone, which my daughter gave to her, and she's on it constantly, either playing word or "criminal" detective games, checking the weather, using the GPS and who knows what else"
That means you need data.

That means you need "unlimited" data

Not necessarily. If she is in range of an open wifi, or a secured wifi where she has the password, she can connect to it and use the data through that wifi system.

I do a fair amount of stuff on my phone and use less than 1 GB per month of Verizon data, because I am pretty careful to use wi-fi data.

And to the OP---you don't have to change plans because your daughter moved. No reason you can't stay on the plan you have with her.