4 Cheapest Phone Carriers

Looking for ways to save on phone service? You don't have to settle for pricey post-paid plans from the "Big Four" carriers. Many companies offer far more affordable plans than the legacy carriers. They typically operate as mobile virtual network operators (MNVOs), utilizing well-established networks to provide top-notch service at far cheaper prices.

Here's a quick breakdown of some of the cheapest phone carriers on the market today.

Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile is one of the most well-known pre-paid carriers with a long history of offering affordable plans. All plans are pre-paid and have no lock-in contracts. If you're worried about needing Boost Mobile bill payment assistance, fear not.

There are several plan options. The cheapest is just $15 a month! The most expensive is $60 per month, but Boost's most popular plan is the $25 Unlimited plan. The carrier also offers annual plans for more savings, making it easier to manage your budget and avoid needing Boost Mobile bill payment assistance.

Visible

Visible is an MNVO owned by Verizon. It runs on the Verizon network, so you have great coverage throughout most of the country. One thing that Visible excels at is simplicity. While other carriers offer confusing plans with countless minor differences, Visible keeps things simple.

Currently, there are two plan options. The cheapest is just $25 a month, and you get unlimited talk, text and data through 4G LTE and 5G connections.

Mint Mobile

Mint is a relative newcomer to the wireless carrier game. However, it's garnered tons of attention for its celebrity-centric advertising and low cost. There are a handful of plan options, including one with unlimited data and 5G connectivity. But if you want to keep things as cheap as possible, Mint also has a 5GB monthly data plan for just $15.

US Mobile

This lesser-known carrier operates on the AT&T and Verizon networks. It's a no-frills carrier with two plan options. The cheapest provides unlimited talk, text and data for just $23 a line. US Mobile also has premium plans and multi-line family plans.

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What is the Value of a Dollar in Australia Compared to The U.S.?

Ever wonder how much a dollar is worth in Australia? If you plan to transfer money to Australia, that's an important question to ask! The United States and Australia use two different currencies. In the U.S., we have the U.S. dollar (USD). But in Australia, they use the Australian dollar (AUD).

The values are very different, and you must understand them to ensure you send as much as you need.

As of late 2023, the value of a dollar in Australia is higher than that of a U.S. dollar. The exchange rate from USD to AUD is roughly 1.52. That means US$1.00 equals AU$1.52.

So, if you were to transfer $100 to Australia, your recipient would receive about 152.50 AUD. Conversely, if someone from Australia sent 100 AUD to you, you'd only get approximately $65.59.

Understanding Foreign Exchange Rates

Whether you want to transfer money to Australia or any other country worldwide, you need to research exchange rates. Moving funds between nations is easier than ever in our ever-increasingly globalized world. But, because countries use different currencies, the value of money is not one-to-one.

Exchange rates dictate the value of one country's currency compared to another's. These rates affect trade and the movement of money across borders.

One important thing to remember is that exchange rates aren't static. They change multiple times throughout the day. So the rate you see when comparing USD to AUD won't be the same in a few hours, days, weeks or months.

Many factors impact exchange rates. These include the economic growth of both countries, government stability, geopolitical conditions, general inflation, interest rates, etc. You have no control over those details.

However, you can shop around to find the best rates before you transfer money. Banks and exchangers often provide mid-rates between buying and selling rates. They're out to make a profit, so you'll see varying rates and fees from one institution to the next. See what rates you can get from different providers before you send your money.

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Guide to Using Afterpay

Afterpay is an app and service that allows you to split payments for items purchased at select retailers, both online and in retail stores. Your total for qualifying purchases is broken into four separate and equal payments that are billed over the course of six weeks.

This approach to buying things can be a convenient way to purchase more expensive items and pay over time without taking out a loan or opening a traditional credit card. It can also be a way to buy essential items if you’ve hit a financial snag and need a little bit of breathing room until your next few paychecks. If you’re interested in getting started, below are some steps to use the app:

Download the App

The first thing you need to do to take advantage of these payment plans is to download the app from your preferred app store. Once installed, you’ll need to set up an account on the app.

This process requires you to enter some personal information and your credit or debit card number. This is the information that will be used to make your payments. There is no approval process to sign up, but there is an approval process for each purchase. Newer app users may face enhanced scrutiny.

Look for Retailers

After you have your account set up, you will need to look for retailers that allow you to use the app for purchases. This can be done by looking at the payment page on most retailer websites. In-store checkout areas often display signage stating that they accept these payments. If you’re ever in doubt about the legitimacy of a retailer’s signage or online notification, you can contact the app developer for clarification.

Complete Your Purchase and Make Payments

Once your purchase is approved, you will pay the first of your four payments on the spot. From there, you will make an additional three payments over the next six weeks, with one payment automatically coming out of your credit or debit card account every two weeks. You can also make manual payments to reduce the total amount due.

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