Momma Told Me: Our Family Is Proof Walmart Unlimited Mobile Saves Time + Money

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Our Family Is Proof Walmart Unlimited Mobile Saves Time + Money

***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 Walmart Family Mobile® #FamilyMobileSaves #cbias #SocialFabric All images and photos are original content copyrighted to Momma Told Me Blog, 2013.
Momma Told Me: Electronics should make life easier.

Exactly one month ago I made the big switch. 

After one year of giving my current cheap wireless plan 'another chance,' I threw my arms in the air and proclaimed "Something has to change!" Month after month I was spending time calling in to customer service, even just to complete the simplest tasks. My automatic payments weren't going through 'automatically,' and the wait time to speak to a physical human was exorbitant. Then, when I found my way to a human assistant I was shuffled from department to department. The month before my big switch I spent 6 hours on the phone with customer service, and that wasn't even to address the 90% missed call rate on my phone line. I was fed up of spending my hard earned money on sub par service, and my family's time with me, on the phone.
I'd heard a lot about the Walmart Family Mobile plans offered at my local Walmart, and decided to swing by the mobile department on a recent grocery shopping trip. I knew Walmart offered several no-contract phones and wireless carriers; but I knew little about their in house Family Mobile Plan for individual and shared service plans. It turns out I could get the same wireless service, with potentially stronger signal strength, and faster connection speeds (4G on capable devices) for $5 less a month than I was currently paying. In addition, if I enjoyed the service and decided to switch our family over, I could save even more money adding additional lines for just $35 more/line a month. I wasn't quite sold on the switch just yet, so I asked to speak to an electronics department employee to learn a little more. It turned out that particular employee used the service himself, and for his entire family, with high praise; and that was all I needed to convince me to give it a shot.
One of my favorite things about choosing a cheap wireless plan is the extra room in my budget to invest in a top of the line device. Walmart Family Mobile has many specially packaged devices ready for instant activation on their T-Mobile based network. But they're also a 'bring your own' ready plan, which means most SIM enabled devices can easily be ported to their affordable monthly pay-as-you-go service. Bring your smartphone from an existing plan, or purchase a new or used handset and start-up the phone with a simple Walmart Family Mobile activation kit. In our case, I was due for an 'upgrade,' and was happy to find the latest LG Optimus (L9) handset ready for activation with my new plan. Setup was extremely easy, and done all online, though my old carrier was not available for number transfer, so I did have to accept a new phone number. Read more about our Unlimited Plans shopping experience and Walmart's mobile center in our Google+ Album.
Photo taken with LG Optimus L9, on Walmart Family Mobile Plan
Not only does my new Optimus L9 smartphone have 4G capabilities, an upgrade from my previous 3G, but a built in 5MP camera, with smaller capacity front facing camera options. You may recall I had initially worried about making the 1GB top-tier 3G data speed cap stretch the entire month. My previous plan hadn't had a cap, but was extremely unreliable; so the trade off was worth the gamble initially. Now, a month later, I've yet to use the entire 1GB of 3G speed; and am continually impressed by the connection speed and consistency. Of course, when I am at home I rely primarily on the device's WiFi connection to surf the internet; but I am a heavy user when it comes to Google searches and map guidance on the go. Not only have I had no reason to contact customer service, but I can track all of my call and data usage easily through the online My Family Mobile account management portal. A week before my billing cycle was over I received a simple reminder text through my mobile device with the option to pay online or through the phone.
A good cell phone plan is nice, but can it really change your family? This humble blogger says "Yes!" Not only have I had an entirely hassle free month of strong, reliable, service, but I've shaved $5 off my monthly cell phone service bill. It may not seem like an overwhelming amount of money up front, but those savings easily grow when you consider the average American family household has 3 or more mobile lines. (And I know we'll be adding Jay onto my plan next month). For me, however, the true 'savings' has been the extra time I have to spend with my family. With Summer here, and the 90F+ temperatures in Southern California, we've been transitioning into Summer with some frugal heat beating activities.

We recently hit the local dollar store with our Family Mobile Savings and everyone got to pick out an affordable water toy. Since we live in a condominium complex without a pool we're forced to find creative ways to beat the heat. This means weekly water balloon, bubble, and water gun sessions. In the past I've often had to sit fun activities like this out because I've been strapped for time and on the phone solving service issues or trying to process non-recurring recurring payments. I'm happy to report, last month, we got in an entire Summer's worth of fun! (And the Summer's just beginning.)  I'm thrilled to be able to bring back the tickle monster and arm myself in our family's water fights, and I think it's fair to say the entire family appreciates the extra time too. Okay, well, everyone except for Nora, who seems to be target practice :)
In summary, Walmart #FamilyMobileSaves me money, but more important to me, time and hassle. The fuss free set up is simple enough for even smartphone newbies to navigate, and the interactive customer portal gives an in-depth account overview at any time during the month. I can't be more pleased with the speed of our data, or the connection quality of my calls, and the new LG Optimus L9 is a wonderful upgrade from my previous device (a much older Optimus). Having reliable and affordable smartphone service is so much more than an electronic luxury. Affordable smartphone service can help keep the family connected and capture priceless moments with instant sharing capabilities. It's a necessity in my mind. I'm simply thankful Walmart Family Mobile has provided me with a fuss free no-contract service that keeps our device options open, and my time free for what really matters, my family.

What Daughter Says: Stop chasing after your wireless company. Walmart Family Mobile works for you, while saving money.

33 comments:

  1. With two teenagers, I really rely on my smartphone to stay in touch with them. I cannot imagine having such a high percent missed call rate. I'm glad you found something new that works for you.

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  2. Really? No issues with service? At all? Even with my Virgin Mobile, which I love... I have constant issues with service and reliability. . . I think I may make the switch soon!

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  3. How wonderful you don't have to spend all that time with customer service. Glad it's working so well for you. Enjoy your water balloon fights

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  4. Ouch - poor doggy doesn't look too happy, but the family mobile plan - it looks like you can a save a bundle this way. Love the idea

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  5. I think it's pretty cool that the employee you talked to used the service himself and could give you a first-hand comment on it. That in itself is something I look at when it comes to making decisions like this.

    And yes, saving money is nice, but getting more time with the fam is awesome.

    Um... dog bearding?! LOVE!

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  6. I'm amazed at how easy it is to navigate...I might have to look into this. I could use some savings!

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  7. I told my husband about your post the last time you wrote about the Walmart plan. I told him about it again last night and said we HAVE to go change plans THIS WEEK. Hoping that we'll get to it because this looks like a way we could trim the budget a bit.

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  8. I have been a customer of T-Mobile for several years now and love it. We have great service so it doesn't surprise me that you are getting the same through the family mobile plan at Walmart! That is such an awesome deal. I love saving money too. :-)

    Those pictures are so funny in the beginning. Love the "dog bearding" and the garlic one especially!

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  9. What about downloads? Have you had to pay extra for Hotspotting? Or anything? How many movies could you watch a month without paying extra? So many questions...

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  10. Shelley,

    Most of the time I use media streaming I'm in a stable place with a wifi connection, and I usually stream directly from that. I know you were asking about HotSpots earlier as well; there is no mobile hotspot program for this phone; so one would have to use a freestanding mobile hotspot, with it's own service. That is one downside, for those heavy data users. However, you can buy 'Extras Packs,' which add money to your account for the purchasing of apps and interactive data. You may also buy extra GB of top tear speed, for additional family members, so you don't have to share!

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  11. That sounds like one awesome plan!! I need to head to Walmart to get this plan for my husband and I!

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  12. It sounds like a good switch that your happy with. I have thought about switching often, but still a little afraid to go through with it.

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  13. I have five phones on my plan. This sounds like a super easy way to save money!

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  14. I had no idea this service existed. Sounds like a great one. And the photos you took with the phone are great.

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  15. i have considered this service for a future phone-- thanks for the great review i'm going to consider it!

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  16. THe Walmart plan sounds like a great one, when my current no good, connection contract is done perhaps I can check into this and see what they offer, I rarely use my phone just need it for emergencies, don't do internet etc on it perhaps with next contract period I will change things. And it does take good pictures of your boys and you can tell they were having a ball..

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  17. At some point I would love to do this - in my area (rural) we don't get much service - good info!

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  18. we have actually been thinking about switching to walmart instead of verizon to save money

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  19. Well being I dont have a cell phone. Yes Im a strange one in this day and age. So I dont have to worry about what plan to want. All my kids are grown so I dont need a phone to check on them either.

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  20. Thanks for the review! I need a new phone and plan so am going to my local Wal mart to see what they can do for me too.

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  21. Great review. I have been wanting to change my cell plan, but I didn't know where to go. I think I will check my wal-mart out to see how it goes. Thanks! :)

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  22. I had no idea walmart offered this!!

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  23. i have to look in too their plans because with my current carrier im paying through the nose blah

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  24. Learning more about Walmart all the time! Great photos...I need to check in to this!

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  25. Walmart Family Mobile ?I wasn't aware of it!I am glad it works for you!

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  26. Walmart Mobile sounds like something worth checking out.

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  27. My mom is looking for a nice smart phone with an inexpensive plan. She doesn't want to go through the major cell phone company because they are way too expensive. We will be heading to Walmart to check out Walmart Unlimited Mobile. Thanks :)

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  28. I can't disagree with any of your points. With my busy family and every member on the go, usually in a different direction, the reliable service and no time wasted on hassles is priceless. Of course, my family would save a ton by switching all our lines - I wouldn't turn that away, either ;) Thanks so much for sharing your experience - makes me much more comfortable about making a change for my own family!

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  29. My son has had this and my daughter just went and got it last month. She was concerned about coverage and losing calls since she has so many from her business but they said they use verizon towers and she loves it and has saved lots getting this.

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  30. Thanks for the positive review. I currently use TracFone, but if I switch, I'll take your review into consideration.

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  31. I didn't know about a lot of this--it is certainly useful information to know when our cell phone contract is up! Thanks.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  32. sound like a great deal on cell phone, I know the bills can get very expensive with kids around

    lmurley2000@yahoo.com

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