phone at home for kid

[eightno2002]

We have no land line - Verizon's solution was a $150 watch thingy that could text, call, and had gps. Also costs $10/mo. What other options are there that aren't so costly. For that price I would be better off upgrading my 5S to a 6S and keeping the old phone at home. I just don't want my kids to have a smart phone yet.

 

[The Tradition]

We have no land line - Verizon's solution was a $150 watch thingy that could text, call, and had gps. Also costs $10/mo. What other options are there that aren't so costly. For that price I would be better off upgrading my 5S to a 6S and keeping the old phone at home. I just don't want my kids to have a smart phone yet.

They still sell flip phones. Do you have MetroPCS in your area?

 

[eightno2002]

Don't see one (metro). We are in cedar falls

 

[Wendy79]

http://www.verizonwireless.com/basic-phones/

 

[fredjr82]

How is your daughter's health? I know you posted about issues recently that were pretty scary. Hope everything worked itself out.

 

[naturalmwa]

If your kid has access to the Internet at home there are several VOIP options from free ones like Google to MagicJack, Ooma or Mediacom phone.

 

[Pinehawk]

Couldn't you just get one of those prepaid trac phones pre-loaded with some minutes for short calls or emergencies?

 

[eightno2002]

How is your daughter's health? I know you posted about issues recently that were pretty scary. Hope everything worked itself out.

Thanks for asking. She is good. We got into Iowa city much sooner than we were initially told. Our pediatrician deserves kudos their. Saw a neurologist that was great. Full blood work and his exam helped rule out some of our concerns and over time her symptoms just went away. Frustrating and relieved at the same time. The day after we returned from Iowa city one of my twin 4 year old boys placed his hand on a grill that was cooking at 600 degrees. Er Doctor said we might have to take him to a burn unit in....Iowa city. ended up being ok. Kids always keeping us on our toes

 

[eightno2002]

I checked trac phone - not available in our area. We could get one through Verizon but the monthly access fee quotes out at a ridiculous rate ($30/mo). I haven't chatted to a version rep but that would be my next step. I am chatting with Ooma right now to see about using their service. Not sure about relying on the internet for all calls to work but it's used by businesses all the time so it must be reliable.

 

[Wendy79]

A regular landline should be about $20.

 

[anon_89hvcc2uyzmki]

We use Ooma. Very happy with it. We pay for internet at our house already. So we bought the Ooma base and now pay like $3/month for VOIP landline for the house.

 

[eightno2002]

Spoke with a rep at Verizon - $20 for additional phone regardless of a basic or smart phone. Ooma is $110 for the base and then $4/mo for the taxes/charges. They were very aggressive selling the unit - even pulled out the "what do I have to do to get you into a Ooma today". So I would think I could get them down on the base. Seems like a viable option. Google Voice seems fine but I'm not quite sure I understand how I use a regular phone with it. Seems like I have use a device (PC, etc.).

 

[naturalmwa]

Spoke with a rep at Verizon - $20 for additional phone regardless of a basic or smart phone. Ooma is $110 for the base and then $4/mo for the taxes/charges. They were very aggressive selling the unit - even pulled out the "what do I have to do to get you into a Ooma today". So I would think I could get them down on the base. Seems like a viable option. Google Voice seems fine but I'm not quite sure I understand how I use a regular phone with it. Seems like I have use a device (PC, etc.).

I access google voice via the google hangout app or as a gmail widget on PC. May be more complex than you are looking for as an emergency phone.

 

[eightno2002]

I access google voice via the google hangout app or as a gmail widget on PC. May be more complex than you are looking for as an emergency phone.

Thanks - Looking for simplicity (old school phone) which we haven't had for years. Ooma seems to do the trick but I just realized that our local utility was potentially adding phone service starting next year. It appears to run through fiber. I just checked it out and the service is being offered starting in 2016 so will have to wait a little bit.

 

[Hawk and Awe]

I think I'll be buying the kids a tablet at some point to meet this need. They'll be able to FaceTime and text from that and will be able to put other crap on there to keep them occupied.

 

[The Tradition]

Thanks - Looking for simplicity (old school phone) which we haven't had for years. Ooma seems to do the trick but I just realized that our local utility was potentially adding phone service starting next year. It appears to run through fiber. I just checked it out and the service is being offered starting in 2016 so will have to wait a little bit.

You're just now getting local landline service? How far off in the boonies do you live?

 

[eightno2002]

You're just now getting local landline service? How far off in the boonies do you live?

Cedar Falls - landline phone I believe is offered through Centurylink or Mediacomm. We haven't had a landline since we moved here in 2007.

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

We went with the Magic Jack. Works great.

 

[Gimmered]

Straight talk, net10 and tracphone are all owned by tracphone and work off of whatever network is available. If you have verizion you should be able to use net10.