Lacey Jackson 
As a spa or salon owner, there are lots of options out there for the right software. I spent years trying to keep costs down, until I realized I was going broke trying to save money. That’s when I started looking more toward the quality of the service I was receiving, and how much time … Read more
We attended a special Viking festival in a tourist town known for its Swedish roots. The main restaurant was always our first stop. Each year, they made shirts, hats, and sweatshirts. But when I asked for a small, they were out. Completely. They had done a single order of around 10 of each size and … Read more
When no one volunteered to coach my son’s Little League team last season, I ended up getting unexpectedly roped into organizing busy bus schedules, and ordering bulk custom hats for the team. I actually found myself feeling quite proud of the design I had come up with, but when it came time to start placing … Read more
I have switched cell phone providers more times than I can count on my two hands (okay, 11 times). Not exactly by choice. Between changing jobs, moving to areas where hotspot data was my only connection to the outside world (and yes, even landlines barely worked), and traveling internationally, my cell phone needs have never … Read more
When I was in college, the best cell phone plan was the lowest dollar amount. Back then, we didn’t have much data to worry about, and most of the concern was focused on text messaging. However, over time, “affordable” plans have taken on a different meaning. When I was living as a digital nomad in … Read more
When choosing a pay-as-you-go phone plan, the challenge isn’t a lack of options. It’s identifying which plans actually match low-usage, budget-conscious needs. This is especially true for seniors, where affordability is less about speed or features and more about predictable costs, simplicity, and avoiding unused data. For most retired users, high-data perks like streaming access … Read more
There are a lot of competing phone companies today. Many more than were available when I was growing up. This is, in large part, due to MVNOs or Mobile Virtual Network Operator Plans. MVNOs are service providers that don’t own cell towers or the wireless network infrastructure they use. But because they don’t own it, … Read more
Mobile hotspot data has become an essential tool for staying connected when wifi isn’t an option. Hotspots can be great for checking emergency updates after a winter storm or hurricane, attending an online class from an airport, or keeping work running on the road. For work, school, or backup internet, choosing the right hotspot plan … Read more
Visible by Verizon has really caught my attention recently. When I was looking to cut costs, my main focus was on cheap pricing, but then I ended up suffering because I didn’t have unlimited data or hotspot usage. As I tried to up my coverage, I ended up upping my price. That’s when I looked … Read more
I can’t be the only one who was genuinely surprised to learn that AT&T is still around. When was the last time they aired a TV commercial? It felt a bit like running into a friend who hoarded those AOL “100 hours free internet” CDs and is still slowly working through the stack. Surprise aside, … Read more
Tracfone Wireless is a prepaid phone option owned by Verizon. They use Verizon towers to provide inexpensive service at slightly lower speeds than contract service. However, they do have a lot of basic plans that can be ideal for people who want simple talk and text but don’t really need additional services, features, packages, membership … Read more
The biggest decision most people make today when choosing a phone plan centers on T-Mobile vs. Verizon. Recent Billy Bob commercials poke fun at that truth, but today the majority of smaller cell phone companies, especially prepaid companies, use one or the other as a parent company/tower access. So if you are trying to decide … Read more
I was a loyal Verizon customer for about 8 years before I realized I could still take advantage of their networks but pay less. Still, despite what my wife told me, I had to research it on my own, and make the spreadsheets (I can hear her groaning from here). Trust the spreadsheets. So when … Read more
Straight Talk wireless is a prepaid wireless provider that is sold through Walmart. They offer service plans for home phones and wireless phones with device plans for mobile hotspot data, home internet, and tablets. The Company also includes perks like International long distance, ID notification, call detection, and a Walmart Plus Membership with some of … Read more
I spent three years going back and forth with different prepaid cell phone providers. Every time I thought I was happy, Ryan Reynolds would show up on my screen and I would reconsider that happiness. Suffice to say I’ve now had a great deal of hands-on experience, not just for myself, but for our family … Read more
Total Wireless and Straight Talk are both contractless, prepaid carriers that use the Verizon network. That said, while they have very similar offerings and plans up front, deciding between the two comes down to the details, like the plan features and other options. Total Wireless is best for people who: Straight Talk is best for … Read more