A Mom's Guide to an Affordable New Cell Phone

My daughter Bridget is to smart for my own good. She is a 19 mo. old high schooler, and she is obsessed with MY cell phone. She loves to throw it. Drop it. And dunk it in her juice (more than once). My poor phone was hanging together, literally, by one little wire that kept the top half from shearing away from the bottom half.

One day as I was cleaning her room she stole my phone from the kitchen counter. I had no idea. Fifteen minutes later when I came out to the living room my son, Carson, says to me,"Mom, Bridget broke your phone." Well needless to say I had heard that phrase before so I was not expecting the rampant destruction that lay waiting for me. She had laid waste, I mean, my phone was in so many pieces it was hardly discernible as a phone. I couldn't believe it! I was now phoneless.

Now I was stuck at home with my kids full time, and no land line or cell phone. I checked my contract and I couldn't get a new phone on my contract for 6 mo. I couldn't go 6mo. without a phone. But I also couldn't afford to spend at a minimum of $135 for a brand new bottom-of-the-line phone.

The solution! I found that you can get refurbished phones on Ebay. I had no idea that you could get good condition older phones on Ebay for such great prices. I ended up buying a Treo 650 for $40! I also got a travel charger and USB cord to sync my phone with the computer.

I have never had a smart phone before, and I love it. Now I am actually glad that Bridget broke my old phone. I never would had a smart phone otherwise. My Treo is in almost perfect condition and it works great. The seller I bought from even offered a 30 day warranty. I highly recommend checking Ebay if you need a new cell phone. Lastly, make sure the phone your buying will work with your carrier.