How to best renew $80 standard plan with $20 remaining?

[ken1908]

Wife is on the $80 a year plan and she uses less than $60 a year. It's up for renewal on April 1. What's the best option for her? Do I add $10 on renewal date and repeat 120 days later?

[Boz1]

If you add a $10 card, when the $80 PIN is used up, voice minutes will cost $0.10/min until the $10 PIN is used up. I'm in a similar situation, except I'll have around $30 left, unless my usage takes a big jump. I'm just planning to add a new $80 card just before my year is up. I figure as long as PPC stays in business, that balance will be there, and it will be there if I ever decide to go to a monthly plan or if my usage ever increases. I guess it depends on your cash flow situation, and whether or not it will bother you to pay $0.10/min while the $10 PIN is being used.

[hpark21]

Looks like she logs about 125 minutes/mo.

With $10 thrown in, you will be able to secure another 4 months of service ($5/mo + .50cents/mo = $22).

By that time, $10 will almost expire (with $8 left, but since she makes about 125minutes/mo, it won't last even 1 month anyways) and once you throw in $80, you are golden for another year from that point.

I think it is going to be a good idea.

I can understand Boz1's though about throwing another $80, but at the end of the year, she will have $40 left in which she won't be able to use it up with $10 thrown in within 4 months, and with second $10 thrown in, she won't even last a month and a half.

So, I would say throw $10 in, renew for another 4 months and by the end of 4 months (based on her CURRENT usage), she should be ALMOST empty and by that time, throw in $80 so that you will be golden for another year.

[mobius7]

Well, question is how many min actually she used so far.
As you said she used less than $60 which 3/4 of $80 card.(2000 min /4 = 500 min * 3 = 1500 min)
Let's assume she used 1500 min per year.(roughly..)

$10 = 100 min for 3 months. $10 * 8 = $80. But you only get 800 min total.
$80 = 2000 min for 1 year.

If she used more than 800 min per year than you should stick with $80 card. It is cheaper.
And at least you don't have to constantly check and/or refill the card.

[TheU]

you should still stick with the $80 card. even if she uses only $60 you are getting the mins at .04 cents not .10 cents, also you never know when she may use more the expected and if thats the case she will always have that extra $20. it makes no sense to take the chance that you will save $20 a year when in reality you will spend more because her 125 mins per month on the $10 airtime will cost you 12.50 compared to $5 for 125 mins on the $80 upfront.

penny wise dollar foolish.

[3c3]

With 4 months of expected usage left, I would add $80 at this time. If you have $30 or more left a year from now, add $10 at that time.