{"id":13038,"date":"2014-05-14T02:33:28","date_gmt":"2014-05-13T19:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/?p=13038"},"modified":"2014-05-14T04:06:02","modified_gmt":"2014-05-13T21:06:02","slug":"straight-talk-affordable-phone-plans-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/straight-talk-affordable-phone-plans-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Straight Talk: Do Affordable Phone Plans Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I know you’ve seen those more affordable phone plans before…either in a store or online. \u00a0Have you wondered whether they are the real deal or just full of restrictions…which you don’t find about until you sign up with them? \u00a0I know I have wondered. \u00a0You know you are paying more than you’d like for your current mobile phone carrier, yet you fear the risk is too big to make the jump to a smaller company in hopes of saving money.<\/p>\n

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WellConnectedMom has recently become an Straight Talk Tester for Straight Talk<\/a>, an innovative mobile carrier with low monthly payments, no contracts, and the latest phones. \u00a0Straight Talk is different from other affordable phone plans because it actually uses the networks of the top 4 mobile companies. \u00a0Other affordable phone plans only can tap into one network. \u00a0You can also bring your own phone with you into Straight Talk.<\/p>\n

Although Straight Talk may be a new name to you, their mother company has been around for years, Tracfone, which has over 25 million customers. \u00a0Tracfone has taken what they’ve learned appeals to their customers and created Straight Talk, a company that understands consumers want low cost, coverage, and choice phones.<\/p>\n

We’ve tested affordable phone plans before, but only for a few months. \u00a0This time, we’re going for the gusto! \u00a0We will be using Straight Talk for the remainder of the year and reporting back to you on a regular basis on what we think. \u00a0Yes, we are ambassadors for Straight Talk, but we will be straight forward, giving you our honest opinion…the things we are excited about and the things we are disappointed in.<\/p>\n

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Affordable Phone Plans – Straight Talk<\/span><\/h2>\n

Have you heard of Straight Talk before? \u00a0Perhaps you’ve seen their ads? \u00a0Interestingly enough, Straight Talk only has one retail location, well, technically thousands of them, but only through one physical retailer, Walmart. \u00a0Yes, that’s right. \u00a0You can’t pick up Straight Talk activation cards and phones in any other physical store. \u00a0However, you can also find Straight Talk at self-service Kiosks and visit them online, of course.<\/p>\n

They have amazing coverage throughout the United States by utilizing the same networks as the major mobile companies. \u00a0Here’s a map of their coverage:<\/p>\n

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And what about the monthly plans? \u00a0Well, there are no monthly contracts. \u00a0We are trying out the $45\/mo Unlimited phone\/data\/text plan throughout the year. \u00a0Here is Straight Talk’s 3 affordable phone plans:<\/p>\n

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With the Unlimited plans, for the most part, you will receive fast 4G\/LTE data until you reach 3GB for the month, then the speed lessens to 2G data speed. \u00a0Depending upon your usage, 3GB should last you through the month. \u00a0But if you are a heavy video watcher, you will run out of your 3GB usage fast. \u00a0Ensure your phone is on WiFi when at home to conserve your data.<\/p>\n

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Phone Choice and Activation<\/span><\/h2>\n

To begin the process, I searched for available phones on StraightTalk.com. \u00a0I was excited to see that the latest iPhones were there. \u00a0The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C phones were available in various colors. \u00a0I choose the gold iPhone 5S. \u00a0Being a Samsung Note 3 user, with it’s 5.7 inch screen, holding a small iPhone is almost like child’s play! \u00a0Although I admit, it’s nice having a pocketable phone once again.<\/p>\n

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To begin the activation process you need 3 things:<\/strong><\/p>\n