Hobby Phone

I am thinking of getting a hobby phone. What are the low cost options to communicate with providers with Text/voice? I don't want to be stuck with another monthly plan-also stay away from standard telco providers. I just want to avoid the possibility of telco providers sending congratulatory email/text to my spouse's phone inadvertently. These companies sell all our info to third party companies. I would like to keep my identity confidential.

Any recommendations?

The AT&T Go Phone has the pay as you go option. Pay for all of it with cash. I'm not sure what other companies have the pay as you go instead of the "monthly payment" kinda thing.

do a search for hobby phones, there have been quite a few threads about it lately.

I have and like the tracfone myself. see the threads, that will explain alot about what's available.

try Google voice its free

Google voice is awesome.. if you have a nosy S.O., don't put the app on your phone. In Google Voice, you can switch the settings to NOT ring to your phone, and then when you are ready to use the number, just go into your settings and turn it back on. It also allows you to text.

try Google voice its free Originally Posted by txman1965

i was fiddling around with this last night...i'm gonna look into this a bit more.

is the best option the fully paid for one?

Hi Angie,

I've been using Google Voice since it was Grand Central (before Google bought it) and the only paid part about it is if you want to accept and make international calling. Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never had to pay for it. Could you shoot me a link of where it has the fully paid option?

I get a new hobby phone from time to time. Just so the number does not get connected to me somehow. I alway separate the sim and erase all the calls also. At Best Buy you can get an ATT go phone for $9.95. activate it get a number then Go to a ATT dealer with a Kiosk that will take cash and put it on your phone no questions asked.

Net10 phone from Best Buy. Phone was $50, put airtime on it when you want, for $30 you get 300 minutes and/or 60 days service. The Best Buy staff wants to activate it for you cuz they get credit ... just say no thanks ... go to website ... make up answers to questions and you're ready to go. Recommend using hobby email for Net10 account. I can't advise on hiding it since I'm single but separating the SIM card sounds like an excellent idea.

http://www.straighttalk.com/ShopPhones