Each day we come across those ads that ask us “Are you short of minutes?” or “Is your service provider charging you to talk to family members?” and so on. Truly, we now live in a world of “anytime minutes”, “weekend minutes” and “rollover minutes”. Add to that “pre-paid” and “post-paid” and no one will blame you for being spaced out!

So, the big question that hits you as soon as you decide to get a cell phone is “what plan do I choose?” Well, the answer is not as complicated as it seems. First you need to figure out what you need the cell phone for; is it just for you or other members of your family as well? Will it be your primary phone or just a standby in case of emergencies? The answers to these questions are essential for it will save you a lot of money and worry in the long run.

If the cell phone is for a family, then going in for one of the popular family plans is a good idea. Here, for just an additional $10 you can add up to four extra lines. What you need to look for is whether the provider offers free talk time between shared lines. This is what you need since you don't have to worry about using up your minutes talking to kids and spouse. A plan with rollover minutes but no free family talk time will not be feasible to most. Good deals can be found on the internet or on special occasions.

But if you need a cell phone just for yourself, pre paid is a good option; particularly when it is a secondary phone. There are no contracts, no monthly bills and validity can be up to a couple of months. Since you pay only for what you use, the rates per minute will be higher than on post paid connections. Rates vary depending upon service provider. Roaming and long distance charges will also be levied and you should read the fine print before you buy one.