This life-living #FamilyMobileSaves sponsored post has been brought to you by a Collective Bias social shopper insights study. As always my thoughts, opinions, and unlimited talk-text-and-web mobile enthusiasm are my own. Thank you!
I don’t know about you – but I love to save money. Oddly enough however, even facing a lay-off a three years ago, we were still forced to pay a huge amount of our limited income on our wireless plan. That experience helped me find the little ways to save money on our existing contract plan. But moreover, I have been on the hunt for the best wireless unlimited plans ever since.
It took more then two years, but I’ve been really happy to share my experiences with the Walmart Family Mobile plan on T-Mobile. I signed on with a Samsung Galaxy SIII earlier this summer. Here’s what I’ve discovered in the last five months of testing it out. And moreover, just how happy we’ve been at finding an extra $105 a month now.
Overall Impression
I’ve been really impressed with the range of 3G/4G service on my Samsung Galaxy SIII this summer. So much so that upon hearing that I could port an existing phone number and smartphone from my contract plan I jumped at the chance. I had been waiting patiently until my contract plan would expire in February 2014. However after calculating the fees, the savings was clear.
While I would have paid $180 a month for the next six months; I could pay just $125 to cancel my contract line plan. That meant I’d only owe $75 a month for two lines with on the Walmart family mobile plan. A savings of $105! That is all possible with the UNLIMITED talk, text, and web Walmart family mobile wireless plan. Its only $40 for the first line, and $5 less for each additional line. I am so geeked to see all I can do with that extra money each month!
What To Expect
So how do you make the transition while keeping your current cell number and smartphone? The first step was to take my iPhone 4S to Walmart and get the existing phone number ported over to the T-Mobile family mobile plan. This action cancel your contract wireless line. Make sure to port your cell number as close to the the end of your contract billing cycle as possible. I ran into the unique situation that led to my phone being ported a day too late. But more on that later.
The next thing you’ll do once your phone is ported, will be to wait for your billing cycle to end and the cancellation charges to be applied. You’ll pay the cancellation fee, and can then request your phone be unlocked from its previous provider. Yup, its just that easy!
My Experience
I was using AT&T wireless before changing over to Walmart family mobile. Remember when I mentioned earlier that I ported my phone a day too late? Well, that meant that I’ve been having to wait the full billing cycle for the cancellation charge to be applied to my account. In my case, I had a back-up phone to use or I could have paid for a “to-go” phone temporarily in this interim.
Once I’m able to pay the applied fee {it can’t be done early}, I’ll be able to request the unlock code. Do note, depending on your provider, this could take from 10 minutes to 5 days. Just give your contract provider a call before you get started so you can plan accordingly.
Ideally, I’d have only had a few days of downtime if everything went perfectly. Life is often far from perfect however, and really that is why the aspect of saving an extra $100+ a month is so awesome. In total, I’ll have saved $505 over six months for transferring my remaining cell service to my Walmart family mobile plan. Add in the fact that I don’t have to buy a new smartphone, means that I don’t even have to wait till my next bill to see the savings add up already.
Life With Walmart Family Mobile
And its that savings that will allow for all the extras that will make family outings this season so much fun! Plus, I have to say my kids have loved using my iPhone as an impromptu iPod for the past few weeks {LOL}. All issues aside, knowing that I’ve got that extra money in my budget now is already making trips to places like the pumpkin patch so much more fun.
We have a great little autumn revelry that pops up just down the road from us. The kids love the hay maze and the Tipi is our ultimate favorite for wandering their way. They always light a fire inside for visitors as well. Its great to stop by knowing that even if its a bit too cool or rainy that day, we have a little spot to warm our hands.
All in all, even with catching the odd issue, my downtime isn’t anything that would keep me from porting the final line {for a total of 3} next month. I’m just thankful that I have the advanced knowledge now for porting my next line in November. And as I watch my kids have a blast at the pumpkin patch this year, I’m happy we will have those extra funds to spread the joy around this holiday season. What about you? What can you do with an extra $1200 a year?
You can also find out more on acquiring your own Walmart Family Mobile plan by visiting walmart.com, myfamilymobile.com, or by going to your local Walmart wireless center in-store as well.
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and their client. As always, my thoughts – opinions – and overall enthusiasm are my own. Thank you. #FamilySavesMobile #cbias #SocialFabric
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