Parents and Cell Phone.

[AutumnDae]

I have a cell phone right now. I've had it since Christmas, so almost a year. It's a prepaid phone, and I hate it. I have to pay for it, but I don't understand why. Well yes I do know why, because my parents are stupid.

I asked for it for Christmas, and my mom said that yes, she would get it. But it took a while to get to that. First I wanted to go onto her plan, or my dad's plan, but that didn't work. "I don't want my name attached to another contract and having another bill." I can understand that. After seeing my txting habits, that may have been a problem. But then when I brought up the subject of a prepaid phone, she was okay with it. She told me that she would buy my minutes, and give me money for them. But she hasn't. I have had to pay for all my minutes.

I really would like to be put on an actual plan. Right now my dad has an Iphone, and my mom has a Verizon phone that my dad's company pays the bill for.

I have even said that I would give my parents money to pay the bill with. But apparently I can't do that. I don't see what the difference between me paying for a bill or me paying for minutes? It makes no sense.

I have money. I don't really spend all that much money. I could get a job if I wanted. (McDonald's is hiring. Although I would rather not work there, but eh.)

It's not like I ask my mom for that much money now. I don't ask for money for my prepaid phone, I don't ask to go shopping. I use all my own money. I bought all my school clothes. Basically the only thing other than housing and heat that she is paying for is my lunch at school. And food at home, but that was included in housing.

Would it be a good idea to bring up getting a job? And then paying for the cell phone bill?

More of a rant I guess. I just want a cell phone! Rawr!

[Aηdy]

Some parents are just like that really hun!
My mum and dad have paid for my phone since i got one when i was 12.
My is paying for my new one which is on an 18 month contract.
Maybe you should get a job to pay for it if you want it though.
I have to pay if I go over my limit (1000 texts soon go!).

[DaretoFallup]

ahh well, are u like really active outta the house often? thats a good way to get a phone (just sayin worked for me) yeah probably if u really need to bring up getting a job, try writing a persuasive letter :)

idk rly

[ShatteredWings]

i highly doubt you can get a job at mcdonalds, unless NY is totaly different from here

anyways, a cell phone is probably the last thing your rents want to get you. even though the pre-paid phone is fine. I don't really see the difference either, but it's kinda a non-ecentaial thing (like new clothes..), and since legal you can't a plan yourself (the whole minor-thing) its probably NOT the best issue to press

[AutumnDae]

Gwyn, McDonald's is the most common job for a 14 year old in my area. But yes, either way.

Ugh. Every single answer is exactly what I have thought.

Maybe I will switch prepaid, one with unlimited txting because I am going through minutes with mine. I don't realize that I'm doing it either.

[Aηdy]

Gwyn, McDonald's is the most common job for a 14 year old in my area. But yes, either way.

Ugh. Every single answer is exactly what I have thought.

Maybe I will switch prepaid, one with unlimited txting because I am going through minutes with mine. I don't realize that I'm doing it either.

Just use it if you need to use it.. then it wont cost you so much if you don't want/can't afford to pay out lots for it.

[ShatteredWings]

Gwyn, McDonald's is the most common job for a 14 year old in my area. But yes, either way.

Ugh. Every single answer is exactly what I have thought.

Maybe I will switch prepaid, one with unlimited txting because I am going through minutes with mine. I don't realize that I'm doing it either.

really? not allowed to work food-servaces here till 16, wtf?


Yeah, well it proves you have a brain though, if you kinda-sorta pradicted it.

did you mean pre-paid-texting? *is confused*[probably not your fault]

[AutumnDae]

girl;366041']really? not allowed to work food-servaces here till 16, wtf?


Yeah, well it proves you have a brain though, if you kinda-sorta pradicted it.

did you mean pre-paid-texting? *is confused*[probably not your fault]

You can buy "prepaid plans" sort of things with like Virgin Mobile that will give you unlimited txting. That's what I meant.

You are only working the counter and drive through at 14 and 15.

[byee]

Ah, I get to try to help Autumn (always a pleasure, btw), and I'm reminded once again how reasonable she is!

I think the issue with the phone, if i understand it, is prepaid v. plan, right? To me, the diff is control. With prepaid, there's a limit you can use it, the minutes are already purchased, and when they're used up, the phone is basically inop. With a plan, you get your minutes, and anything over them is billed to you monthly, so technically, you could get a mega bill if you go over the limit, as the phone still works, but you get billed.

I think you might want to address the concerns your folks have about you basically having an open check book for the cell phone. What are their concerns? whay are they worried about giving you more control? Maybe if they could talk with you about them, and you could CALMLY respond to those concerns with some plan or offer some other form of reassurance, they might feel more comfortable giving you more control over the cell.

You could get a job and pay with your own money, but the real issue, Autumn, is the trust factor here, and your money might not address those concerns.

If you talk with them as reasonably and nicely as you do here, I cannot imagine them being resistant to at least trying something new on an exoerimental basis and see what happens.

[RaisingSand]

Autumn, if you saw how ridiculously expensive cellphone rates (texting and calls) are here in New Zealand compared to America, you wouldn't be bloody well complaining. :P