6

AT&T Lowers Monthly Cost For Unlimited Talk And Data.

If you are (or are considering to become) an AT&T customer, you might want to check out what they did to the price of their unlimited talk and data plans. While they made changes to their plans for all users, I was mostly interested in the rates on the iPhone, as that’s the phone I own. But after looking at the rate changes, they don’t really help me any because A. I don’t use that many voice minutes, B. I already have unlimited data with my $30 iPhone “extra” cost and C. texting costs are still separate from data and voice on their smartphones. So while I could now get unlimited voice for only a little more per month, I don’t need it…I NEVER go over my minutes per month. But for those of you looking to get in on the unlimited voice and data plans that Sprint and T-Mobile has had for a while now, the new rates might be worth looking into:

  • Feature Phone customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99. Family Talk customers (prices assume two lines) may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals and $30 for Family Talk plans.
  • All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

Beginning today, existing AT&T customers can change to any of the new plans without penalty or contract extension with the online account management tool at www.att.com/wireless.

What I really want to see is a $99.99 unlimited voice, data, and text plan – you know, like the one Sprint has for their Blackberry users. I love my iPhone, but I am definitely not a fan of AT&T or the rates they charge. One can hope that the iPhone will soon be freed up to run on any network and I can move to a company with more affordable rates. But for now, AT&T will have to suffice as they have the iPhone.

9

Trade The Stuff You Don’t Want…For The Stuff You Do.

So, you have some stuff in your house that you no longer want but have an idea of a couple things you actually do want? Don’t feel like trying to sell them on Craigslist or Ebay? Why not try swapping your stuff for someone else’s? No matter what you want to get rid of, chances are that there is someone else, somewhere, who wants it or can find a use for it. By getting into swapping with others, you you accomplish four things all at once:

1. You get rid of your stuff
2. Someone else gets your stuff who can actually use it
3. You can get items you actually want
4. The exchanges keep stuff out of the landfill

There really is something to be said for looking for ways to avoid throwing things into a landfill. Those of you who know me already know I am a big environmentalist, so the idea of swapping with others instead of trashing really appeals to me! Luckily for all of us looking to swap our belongings out for other items, there are a few websites around to help.

swaptree

Swaptree.com is a place where you can swap books, music, movies, and video games. All you have to do is list the stuff you have to swap and list the stuff you want, and make trades through the mail. These guys even figure out the postage and let you print postage from home, saving you a trip to the post office.

barterthing

Barterthing.com A little different than swapping, these guys help you get started in the world of bartering. Trade a timeshare for lawn care service or haircuts for plumbing. Everybody has something that someone else wants, so why not look for it online before you pay for it elsewhere?

uexchange

U-exchange.com combines bartering and swapping in one site. There are no barter currencies or commissions taken on trades, and you can even trade stuff like cars, boats, and homes.

If you don’t feel like trying to sell whatever you have, try to swap it for something else before you throw it in the trash. You never know what someone else may be looking for, and you might just find something you want that someone else has no interest in. It’s frugal and green all at once – 2 of my favorite things!

0

Sunday Money Roundup – Please Donate Edition.

If you haven’t already, PLEASE give at least a few bucks to the Haiti relief efforts. We all have it way better than they do on a daily basis, never mind when an earthquake hits. Please do the right thing and give a couple of bucks – it means a lot more to them than it does to you.

Cash Money Life wants to talk about paying off your second mortgage early.

Five Cent Nickel, on a similar note, has paid off their mortgage in under 10 years. Congrats!

Lazy Man & Money doesn’t care for Fandango Bucks… do you?

The Wisdom Journal offers us 4 tips to finding a job we really want. What better time for a post like this?

Gather Little By Little gives us tips for saving money and protecting yourself on vacation.

My Dollar Plan helps you score free stuff on your birthday. Sweet!

Frugal Dad wants to know Are You Saving Money Just to Save, Or Saving With Purpose?

0

Money Quote Friday – Find Their Soul Edition.

The people recognize themselves in their commodities; they find their soul in their automobile, hi-fi set, split-level home, kitchen equipment.” — Herbert Marcuse

We only go around once, and this would be an incredibly sad way to spend it. Think about it. Have a fantastic weekend.

1

Estimated Taxes Due Tomorrow, January 15th.

It’s that time yet again! If you pay estimated taxes like I do, your Federal and State payments are due tomorrow, January 15th. I have been paying estimated taxes for many years now, and while I find it kind of a pain in the you-know-what, I truly enjoy working for myself on my own time. It’s definitely a trade-off to make sure I always put away enough money to pay the taxes every 3 months! I have a special “Taxes” account over at ING Direct that I put 30% of every dollar I make into, as I made the mistake 2 years ago of not setting enough aside – and boy did that hurt come April 15th. So I cannot recommend enough that you open an account just for your estimated taxes and fund it as well as possible.


Photo from Shutterstock

As for paying your estimated, you can either send a check to the IRS or use your credit card over at Official Payments, which is what the IRS uses for online payments. I pay mine by credit card for the reward points, but you have to make sure the fee to do so outweighs any reward you may be getting from your credit card company. For me, the miles I earn on my Amtrak card are worth more than the fee, so it’s a no-brainer. But be sure you do the math before deciding which way you are going to pay!

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