Do the math

I am torn right now over switching phone contracts. Or rather, ending my current contract with T-Mobile and going to pre-paid or month-to-month payments.

I currently pay $76/mo
Since Joplin canceled her contract (we had a family plan) I will pay $85/mo as of November.

Breaking my contract will cost $200. The contract ends Feb. of 2012. If I continue to pay my contract out until then, I'll end up spending $1190. I'll take the $200 hit.

If I switch to Virgin Mobile, where I can have either a Blackberry or an Android phone and unlimited text, web and email, I will pay $35/mo - BUT I will have to shell out about $200 for a new phone (since they dont use SIM cards).

Virgin mobile total amount of switch: $400

I could go to Cricket Wireless for $55/mo where I could also have a Blackberry or Android phone w/ unlimited talk, text, web, email, etc. They cost more a month but they are having a sale on their android phones for $175. If I sell my blackberry for $120, that's $50 out of pocket for a new phone.

Cricket Wireless total amount of switch: $250

Last but not least, there is the Wal-Mart Family Plan. Unfortunately it's not available in all Wal-Marts and I haven't been able to find out if it's available in OKC yet. It's $45/mo, plus you just pop in their new sim card in your current phone.

Wal-Mart Family Plan total amount of switch: $200

So obviously the Wal-Mart plan is the cheapest but I'm doubting it's available in OKC. Cricket wireless is the second best bet with cheapest upfront cost but $10/mo more than Virgin Mobile.

It's really just a matter of time for me to save up a minimum of $200 and make the switch. I just needed to do the math somewhere other than my head to work it all out!