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mom2mpr
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| Posted: May 17 2013 at 7:45am | IP Logged
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I do not have a smartphone, mine is dumb  I have a GoPhone which costs me about $15/month to use-and dh is on AT&T so I can talk to him free 
BUT...
I do have an iPad I usually have with me to do all the things a smartphone does. Calendar, games  , notes, lists, envelopes app for budgeting, email, etc. I have no monthly charges as I use it only at home or in wifi hotspots, which are so easy to find. We have our family calendar on it and even at the doctor I can put in my "event" and when I get to a hotspot or home, it updates the calendar so it can be seen everywhere. I can usually check for directions or gas buddy before I leave the house and have a general plan for my out days.
Occasionally, I wish I had a "super phone" but this system works for me for now and I do love my iPad.
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Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
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Rebeccca
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| Posted: May 17 2013 at 9:51am | IP Logged
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I have a smart phone. We have bonded utterly. I bought it b/c I wanted to have a device on which I could build an invoice and collect a digital signature. That's it. I don't facebook or tweet or whatever else is out there that I don't know about b/c I'm always the last to know.
Why, though, you may ask, is that such cause for bonding? I really do appreciate it for making paper invoices obsolete but, seriously, i heart iheart radio. I have my phone set as my alarm and listen to the EWTN Sonlight Morning Show to wake up and get ready by and I listen to it other times as well. That alarm and radio feature has me very happy.
My phone came with several apps already loaded and some my daughter loaded for me. Of all of them, the only ones I have found at all useful are
iheart radio -- as I said, love that
Jo-Ann -- a fabric/sewing store that gives me lots of coupons that I need.
Polaris -- I used to build my invoices and get signatures.
S Note -- I use this for taking notes at bible study, lecutures, make menus, shopping lists, et c.
I use the alarm clock and the mobil hot spot, too, but I don't know if those are apps or . . . what.
For someone above who doesn't want to be so easily accessible . . . my ringer is turned off to everyone except my husband and the person who sends me work. When my daughter carries the house phone, I put that one in, too.
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Mimip
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| Posted: May 17 2013 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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I have an iphone as well and I LOVE it!!!!
1. I use it to pray everyday, several times a day.
2. My hubby and I LIVE by the calendar. He is in Law enforcement and his schedule gets changed around A LOT, so he is constantly updating his work times. He changes it at work and it pings at me that he changed something on the calendar. That way we can remember to talk about it when he gets home.
3. PICTURES! Everyone has already said it but the idea that my camera is with me all the time has made this baby the most photographed by far!
4. I use the video feature for narrations! Yep, Just start the camera and the kids start talking, AWESOME!
5. FaceTime with my sister. She can see and talk to the kids, we love it!
I love having everything at my fingertips!
We don't have a house line as there really is no need for it with both my DH and I having iphones.
I REALLY want to suggest the new t-mobile plan.
My husband has been dragging his feet to get a smartphone for years because of the expense but we researched and found the new T-mobile no contract plan and WOW what a deal as much as smart phones are concerned!
Look into the plan if you are on the fence about going the whole smartphone way. When I switch over (i'm caught in a Sprint plan right now) both our lines on a new iphone 5 with unlimited talk (no minutes) and unlimited data is $174. I know that sounds like a lot but when you consider that we don't have a home phone line and we both use our phones as our camera its pretty cheap.
That price is paying our phones monthly for 24 months. After that point its $24 less a month. We also opted to get insurance on both phones.
There are MUCH cheaper monthly plans if you don't want unlimited minutes or data. Now a days a smartphone can be in the budget if its something your family needs and wants.
As an aside, I got this phone only about a year ago when I started my business. I had a phone before then that had talk and text. I've had a cell phone since my college years so for me the idea of having a phone on the go is something I am used to and most of my peers as well. I think its just what I am used to these days.
Good luck deciding!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Betsy
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| Posted: May 24 2013 at 12:51pm | IP Logged
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I am highjacking this thread again to ask a few more questions.....
::For those of you that have smart phone do you also have home phone? Am I showing my love of antiquity by still having a home phone, land line? 
::Do you have phones for your children. I DON"T want my kids to have a smart phone, but I am near the time when I believe that it's necessary for them to have a reliable phone when they are left at sporting events and activities.
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: May 24 2013 at 2:12pm | IP Logged
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Betsy wrote:
I am highjacking this thread again to ask a few more questions.....
::For those of you that have smart phone do you also have home phone? Am I showing my love of antiquity by still having a home phone, land line?
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We don't have a home phone. The only time I could think of our needing one would be in case of emergency, I guess? But we currently have two ways of making calls: our phones (using either the wifi or the mobile network) and our computers (using our cable modem and Skype/Google Voice).
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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Rebeccca
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| Posted: May 24 2013 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
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AMDG
We got rid of our landline.
I was the hold out. My husband had long wanted to get rid of the landline that we weren't really using but kept in case of emergencies. GPS finally put my mind at ease. My concern had been that if we didn't have a phone, 911 wouldn't know *where* to respond to. I'm okay about that now with the GPS.
What was NOT resolved with GPS was not having a phone at home with my daughter when she was home alone and we didn't want to get her a cell phone of her own yet. We did buy a third cell phone in the end, though. It is just a basic cell phone and stays plugged in at the house when we're there or if we're together. The advantage of this over the landline is, of course, that when my daughter goes somewhere without us we can have her take it. I like this peace of mind.
Now that we're all settled, I like it much better than when we had a home phone even though I was the one who was so adamantly against it.
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Betsy
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| Posted: May 24 2013 at 4:29pm | IP Logged
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Rebeccca wrote:
What was NOT resolved with GPS was not having a phone at home with my daughter when she was home alone and we didn't want to get her a cell phone of her own yet. We did buy a third cell phone in the end, though. It is just a basic cell phone and stays plugged in at the house when we're there or if we're together. The advantage of this over the landline is, of course, that when my daughter goes somewhere without us we can have her take it. I like this peace of mind. |
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This is another reason that I was thinking we would need 3 phones if we got rid of our land line! I am happy to hear that you like that option. I am really dragging my feet on all of this....mostly because of $$$. 
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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stacykay
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| Posted: May 25 2013 at 7:37pm | IP Logged
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My phone is intellectually-challenged.  We actually just went to the AT&T store, today, to pick out new phones (our current provider's contract is over-yea! It was horrible!)
I am getting another i-c phone, as are dh and 15yods. We are getting "smart" phones for our two college boys. Benefits for them are ability to email themselves papers and edit them, and send them back to themselves and profs.
I am getting a qwerty "keyboard" on my i-c phone, though. It will be a first for me, so in texting my boys, I don't have to hit keys three times for a "c" or whatever letter. I am excited about that.
I did peruse the smart phones, and I did really like all the features they had. Our decision to go with i-c phones for the three of us is purely financial. Well, financial, and also 15yods does not need anything that expensive!
Our oldest ds, colleg grad and gainfully employed, has an iphone that he pays for himself.
I doubt that a smart phone, for me, will be in our budget for many, many years to come.
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: May 27 2013 at 5:41am | IP Logged
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I just got an iPhone this year and I LOVE it for all the reasons Jen and Martha said. I don't feel confined to my computer anymore, I can quickly deal with lots of day-to-day logistical work- scheduling appointments/activities, keeping up with email, staying in touch with my family, banking, meal planning, getting directions, efficient grocery shopping with a list, etc.
I love that it keeps everything I love to do in one place. No more having to remember each individual item when I leave home. Everything- the GPS, grocery list, cell phone, camera, field guides, calendar- all fits nicely into my hand.
I have family spread all over North America and I am able to keep in touch with them through text and FaceTime so much easier than without.
I am able to be in contact as needed with DH because he also has one.
I enjoy a few social media sites and can access them quickly and briefly throughout the day if I get a minute. Before, I would spend entirely too much time on the computer because once I got on 'for a minute' it would be an hour or more later before I got off. I find I self-regulate much better with my phone.
I can access any information I need quickly and easily- in the kitchen, at the store, while we are on a nature walk, etc.
I use it to say prayers every day.
No, it's not necessary, but it's become such a blessing in my life. This past year or so we became an extremely busy family (I am still trying to figure out what made me so busy!) that I feel like every minute I can save not having to haul out the computer or use DH's desktop in the basement is helpful.
We also had power outages during a terrible ice storm this year. Ultimately, we only lost power for a few hours, but people around us were without power for a week or more. We were able to keep up with information about closures, outages, weather forecasts, and keep in contact with family throughout because we had our phones. We live in the country and can feel quite isolated at times; it was nice to feel a connection to the real world.
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God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
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Barb.b
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| Posted: May 27 2013 at 8:17pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Ladies! I do like how you all are able to share differing opinions on stuff brought up! Right now I am resisting getting one due to not wanting increased monthly bill. But see in the future (for many of the reasons you who have smart phones have them for) that I may get one.
Barb
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Martha
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| Posted: May 27 2013 at 8:32pm | IP Logged
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I don't know if I save enough every month to cover the cost of the iPhone, but I do know I save a ton of money by having it.
I can use it to read the barcode or just the cover photo of just about anything and price comparison on it. Or just add it to my amazon wishlist for future reference.
I often use to remind myself what I already have so I don't bypuy the same thing or the wrong thing later. Saves lots of frustration and money there sometimes.
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Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
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Becca
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| Posted: May 27 2013 at 10:43pm | IP Logged
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I love my iPhone! For all of the reasons listed above.
It is amazingly useful. Dh and I both have them on a straight talk (through Walmart) plan for $45 a month. The only (minor) downside to using straight to is no picture messaging through text unless you are texting another iPhone, you can send it through other things though (Facebook, Email). Most people I send picture messages to have iPhones though.
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: July 10 2013 at 8:31am | IP Logged
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stefoodie wrote:
i have a smartphone. resisted getting one the past few years because i THOUGHT we were required to get a data plan along with it. my brother told me no because he was able to do it, but the words on the website were confusing "data service required". turns out i COULD have the smartphone without getting data service. "data service required" just means, if there's no data service, you probably can't do anything requiring data transfers. which means you can still use it as a regular phone. so i got one. $150 for a previously $400+ phone. i LOVE it. and it's an Android, so i've got all my stuff loaded in there (except Evernote 'cause that would kill it, as i have 5000+ notes). i LOVE that i can do many things i need to do and not have to sit at the pc most of the day, which annoys my kids (i don't blame them) and makes me feel really guilty.
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Stef, who is your cell phone company?
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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stefoodie
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T-Mobile 
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stef
mom to five
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greengables
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 8:09am | IP Logged
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Anyone else have straight talk? I am about to upgrade and am not sure exactly which way to go OR which company to go with! I, too, have resisted switching for YEARS.... My main reason, now, for switching is for better quality phones (not necessarily smart phones), but DOES IT REALLY MAKE SENSE to renew my contract (IF I STAY WITH VERIZON) for 24 months for a dumb phone??? I am afraid I would regret that!
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May God bless you,
Greengables - wife to best friend and mother to 11 blessings on earth
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: July 11 2013 at 2:02pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Stef! We are at the point of needing to reevaluate companies and plans, so this helps!
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Betsy
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I am going to bump this thread up again..... 
If you have a Mac at home and use iCal can you hook that up to an android phone? (Is this question so sill and shows my complete ignorance of this issue)
I am looking at this phone from Sienna: Samsung Galaxy 3
Any opinions on this phone....
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 6:46am | IP Logged
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Betsy wrote:
If you have a Mac at home and use iCal can you hook that up to an android phone? (Is this question so sill and shows my complete ignorance of this issue) |
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I don't think so, Betsy. Sorry. I'm pretty sure iCal is proprietary to mac devices only. You'd need to move to a different calendar. A great one to consider is the Cozi Online Family Calendar. You can set it up on your home computer, and then it will work with any/all of your smartphones, no matter their brand. All the calendars sync up from computer --> phone.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Betsy
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Jen,
That is what I thought. 
You and AngieMC use Cozi, don't you? What do you think? Worth the trade off of not using iCal?
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Nov 14 2013 at 7:59am | IP Logged
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I do love Cozi (!!!), and use it all the time, but I don't use their calendar feature because we all use iCal. I use the To-Do's and also the shopping lists...and we literally live by them here!! If I think of something - I add it to a list on Cozi. Love that these lists sync across phones so that I can add something to a list and it magically appears on EVERYONE'S phone (as long as the phone is linked to our Cozi account). Which means that I can update a list in real time as dh is shopping for me.
I thought about the Cozi calendar as an option for you because it seems to work much like iCal, and I find it to be visually pretty and intuitive to work with. (I fiddled with it once just to see what it did). I prefer it to google cal as an option, but google cal may also be another option for you, Betsy.
I use the free version of Cozi, and have for a few years now, but I use it so much and have been using it long enough, that I'm actually thinking about upgrading to Cozi gold. In addition to ad-free, it updates your list as you check things off which would be a huge help to me since my lists are usually LONG...and it is cumbersome to scroll through to see what's left, what's been checked. But...I'm not sure if that's worth the steep price for the "gold level" app either. Just thinking about it.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: smartphone
