What's new?!

Alright... what is new in my world?!

A couple of things, I'm quite excited about next month's monthly challenge... Stay tuned!  It is going to be one of the most challenging (if not the most challenging - monthly challenge) that I will be challenging myself with.  o_O

Other than that, school is school... presentations, readings and such... Though this semester is really interesting for me, especially my class in Medical Anthropology.  I just feel the class speaking to me and the things I want to do in the future...

Oh yeah... I took the new format of the GRE and though its slightly different than the old version, I don't think it really changes anything.  The new scores will not be released (for about 3 months) just to ensure enough scores are in the database to provide a more accurate "percentile" score.  Yes, I like knowing I am better than a few people. lol

On Tuesday, I watched Lion King 3D - and to be honest, it was great seeing the movie again, but the 3D was really an additional novelty that was NOT needed at all!  Here in Hawaii there is a $4 surcharge for all 3D movies and to be honest, I did not think the 3D effects were utilized to the maximum... or even at 50%.  The commercials in 3D prior to the movie were more interesting.

Have you guys read my research report?! CLICK HERE for 34 pages of nerdy goodness!

Next week, I will start training for the 2011 Honolulu Marathon - WOW - I can't believe this will be my 4th consecutive Honolulu Marathon.

OK, I fell off the bandwagon on posting pictures... Will post more this week!

The rest of the blog is quite a long RAMBLE about mobile plans and phones... (just to warn you!)

Virgin Mobile's monthly plans!

Thinking of also getting a new cell phone!  Yes, as you guys know, I'm quite thrifty when it comes to my mobile plan - I currently have Virgin Mobile, and my plan is grandfathered in at $25 month - before the $10 increase... and its still the best plan around if you don't talk on the mobile that much, unlimited web, SMS and 300 minutes a month... CLICK HERE for more info on Virgin Mobile.

SIMPLE Mobile's monthly plans!

However, there is a new game in town... There are many unlimited phone, SMS, web plans out there the best being Boost Mobile (at $50/month - and every 6 months you are with them, your bill decreases by $5)... Well Boost was the best... until NOW... I am a BIG FAN of a new pre-paid mobile company called SIMPLE Mobile... Why? Check out the monthly plan! CLICK HERE for more info on SIMPLE Mobile.

Ok, besides the cheap unlimited plan - the best part is UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL SMS!  WOW!  So all my friend's overseas... If it does not cost you to receive an SMS, you will be receiving a lot more from ME in the near future!  I am quite excited about this really... I'm debating on an Android phone or a Windows 7 phone.  You guys know me and my tech, I like to get my grubby hands on technology, but also dip my hands in different cookie jars.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Cell Phone Bills - How much are you paying?

Aloha all,

I've been recently ranting and raving about technology and the cost of things, so this time this particular blog will combine both.

Most people have heard of cell phone companies such as: ATT, Verizon, Sprint and T-mobile.

Though these companies offer great service and value (not to mention the newest and flashiest phones) if your monthly bill is the most important thing, you may want to look at a pre-paid cell phone company.

Pre-paid cell phone companies get a bad reputation as most associate these plans with phone with lesser capacities, bad service, plans that are not conducive to most people, but it's 2010, and there are many options depending on your needs.

 If you're a Blackberry user and you use it a lot, your bill might look like this:
With ATT, your cell phone will be free and for unlimited text, mobile phone calls and emails (max 2GB), you are looking at a monthly bill of $114.99.

Since this is a 2 year contract, we'll use a 2 year total cost (note that the bill doesn't include taxes!!)
Monthly = $69.99 + $25.00 + $20.00 = $114.99
2 year total cost = $2759.76 + $36.00 (Activation fee) = $2795.76


A great option for you is Boost Mobile.
There maybe more upfront costs: $199.99 for the phone, but your monthly bill is $60.00 (unlimited phone calls, SMS, emails).

Your upfront costs for the phone: $199.99
Your monthly bill: $60
Your 2 year total costs: $199.99 + $1440 = $1639
Your savings: $1156.76




This may sound like someone paid me off to endorse Boost Mobile, but in a way, its just time to WAKE UP! Don't get stuck! There are many more options out there now.  Note that I don't have Blackberry.  I actually have a Sanyo Juno, so my monthly bill is $50/monthly.

One cool feature for those with friends overseas is their International Connect program.  For an additional $10/month, you can make unlimited phone calls to: Mexico, Dominican Republic, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Canada (just check the website as some are for unlimited mobile calling, or unlimited landline calling or BOTH!).  In addition to these awesome perks, this includes unlimited SMS to overseas numbers.  This is just an awesome feature as most cell phone companies charge $.25 to $.50 per text message (incoming and outgoing!) so if you have family overseas or a friend traveling with a local SIM card, you can keep in touch without paying out the WAZOO! 

The most important thing is do your research, just review your last couple of bills and see how many minutes you actually use and how many SMS you actually send!  You maybe paying more than you currently are with your cell phone company.

While I was writing this blog, researching, comparing cell phone companies, plans and mobile devices, I think I ran into a plan that may be the best fit for most people.  It's affordable and the phones are decent.

Check out Virgin Mobile "Beyond Talk Plans"


 Looking at this, this maybe one of the best cell phone plans around.  They are based on the Sprint Network (Boost Mobile is as well) so you will have great reception!

For me, if I were to switch, the $40 plan would be more than plenty! Which would be $960 for 2 years (wowsers).

Check out these options too for pre-paid cell phones:
MobiPCS
VirginMobileUSA


We'll hopefully you can find the best deal for you!!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

My New Cell Phone & Cell Phone Company

 I was really apprehensive about switching to another carrier, since I've had AT&T the past 4 years, but the monthly bill, reception wasn't cutting it anymore.  I've been following Boost Mobile for a while now and after the recent releases of the Blackberry 8330 and the Sanyo Juno, it was time to make the plunge.

I decided to the Sanyo Juno.  A midrange phone known for its messaging capabilities.  I am super happy with this phone, it even has push email (with POP3 accounts).  The emails aren't in HTML, but its enough to check important information, I wouldn't recommend writing long emails on the phone.  The best part of the phone is the ease of texting, there's even a dedicated TEXT button.

Reception and battery life is great.  I haven't charged my phone in 24 hours and I still have 3/4 bars.  Reception is much better as well, I can clearly hear without having to strain.

The best part is my monthly bill is $50.00 + tax (which you can pay pre-pay online or buy the Boost Cards at a local retailer - great for gifts!!)

My recent bill with AT&T was over $60+, which was only for 450 minutes and 1500 texts.  Not only do I have unlimited minutes, unlimited text and push emails.

This cell phone does have some CONS: don't expect much from the camera.  Actually, that was the only CON.

Sorry to all my AT&T friends, but it was time to move on...

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.