My "Almost" Free Phone Plan (And Why It’s Still a Steal)
I had a quick update on my free phone plan, which isn't quite free any more, but is very close (less than $2 a month for me.) Here is a link to the episode, everything else it is should be accurate.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dUVakyewvmul8qFqwJZxH
If you don't want to listen, here is a bit of a recap, with a few edits to show the recent change:
I used to call this my $0 phone plan. While the service itself is still technically free, they recently started requiring users to cover the monthly taxes and regulatory fees. For me, that comes out to under $2 a month. This isn't a government-subsidized "Lifeline" plan, and it has nothing to do with my work reimbursement. It’s a legitimate service that anyone can set up.
The Setup: Two Phones, One Strategy
I actually run a two-phone setup. I have a primary line that my job reimburses me for, but I also carry a second device powered by Helium Mobile.
The Helium plan provides limited calls and texts, but the real value is the 3 GB of data.
Why bother carrying two devices? My primary plan has data that rolls over indefinitely—every gigabyte I don't use stays in my "bank" forever. By offloading some of my usage (scrolling, maps, or music) to the Helium phone, I’m able to preserve my primary phone's data.
The "Backup" Saved My Trip
This setup recently saved me during a flight to DC. I was convinced I had lost my primary phone on the plane. I had flight attendants helping me search the seats and was starting to panic. It turned out the phone had just slipped into a weird pocket in my backpack, but in that moment, I was incredibly grateful for the second phone. I used it to make a call and arrange a ride from the airport—something I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise.
Pro Tip: If you don't want to carry two physical devices, you can run this on one phone if your device supports dual-SIM or eSIM. You just toggle between the two lines in your settings.
How to Get Started
If you have an old phone sitting in a drawer, I highly recommend setting this up. Even if you rarely use it, it's a perfect safety net. I often use mine as a hotspot for my laptop when airport Wi-Fi is acting up.
The Best Part: If you sign up with a referral code, there are usually bonuses involved. Plus, just for keeping the service active each month, you earn points that are redeemable for gift cards. You aren't just getting nearly free service—you're basically getting paid in gift cards to have a backup phone.
Use my Code for a welcome bonus and to help support the show: 1APTSC4
Comments
Post a Comment