Alabama family's $32 flip-phone bill for 90-year-old mom has them eyeing plans under $10

For families caring for an older loved one, even small monthly bills can start to feel expensive. The burden is even greater when the service is rarely used. That's why one Alabama family's $32 flip-phone charge became the subject of a Reddit post.

There, the original poster wondered if there was a cheaper way to stay connected for a 90-year-old who only needs occasional calls and no internet at all.

Here's what to know

On the "r/AgingParents" subreddit, they asked about lowering the cost of service for a bed-bound mother who rarely uses her AT&T flip phone. The family said she doesn't need data and struggles with even basic phone tasks.

They asked: "Is there a phone service that is just for calls?"

The phone already had relatives' numbers saved, but using it consistently was still a challenge. The poster said she might forget the phone is there, press the wrong shortcut, let the battery die, or leave the phone on mute. She also cannot retrieve voicemail by herself.

Because the phone is used so little, the family viewed the $32 monthly charge as exorbitant for what is essentially an emergency and check-in device. Commenters offered several lower-cost alternatives.

One commenter wrote: "Tello. It's $8/month (plus taxes, fees) for unlimited minutes and texts, no data. I use it for my mom. She has a flip phone too." 

Other replies mentioned Mint Mobile at under $17 a month, a $15 no-data T-Mobile option, and a US Mobile plan priced at $108 per year.

More background

Many mainstream phone plans are built around data-heavy smartphone use, even when someone needs only a basic line for occasional calls.

For seniors who are bed-bound or uncomfortable with technology, simplicity can matter more than extra features. A plan with unlimited talk and little or no data may make more sense than a standard carrier package that includes services the customer will never use.

At the same time, commenters noted that switching service is not always just about cost. One warned, "Recommend not changing any tech used by a 90 year old if the change can be avoided."

Suggestions ranged from shaving a few dollars off the current setup to cutting the monthly cost by more than half.

What can be done?

A current carrier may offer a talk-and-text-only option or a cheaper prepaid plan. In some cases, the easiest savings come from downgrading service without changing the phone itself.

Adding a parent's line to an existing family plan can also lower the cost. One commenter on Reddit said that approach worked best in their household, with the extra line costing $20 per month.

The original poster appeared open to exploring those routes, replying to one prepaid suggestion: "That's what I was hoping to do when we first got the flip phone for her. I'll look into those again." 

After more recommendations came in, they updated their original post, thanked posters, and concluded "there's a lot to check out!"

Where can I learn more?

There is growing admiration for basic or "dumb" phones, if they can retain service as companies try to phase them out.

• As U.S. carriers phase out antiquated networks, older dumb phones lose service for families relying on them.

• A thrift shopper found a museum-worthy Nokia relic, reinforcing how long basic phones can last.

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