Sometimes, the phone plan you've had for years stops making sense.
That's what one Goji user realized while helping his dad organize his finances after a major life change.
His dad had been on an AT&T postpaid unlimited plan for more than a decade, paying more than $50 per month. But as he moved into an assisted living facility, one thing became pretty clear:
He barely used cellular data.
After comparing cheaper options, they switched him to US Mobile's Light Plan, which at the time cost just $72 per year, or $6 per month.
The switch is now saving him more than $500 per year, and he hasn't noticed a difference in his service.
Here's how they did it.
His AT&T Plan Hadn't Changed in More Than a Decade
Before the switch, his dad had been on an AT&T postpaid unlimited plan for probably more than 10 years.
His monthly bill was more than $50.
And to be clear, he didn't have any complaints about the service.
The problem was much simpler: he was paying for a phone plan that no longer matched how he used his phone.
After his wife passed away, his family began helping him manage his finances while moving him into an assisted living facility.
That meant taking a closer look at recurring expenses, including his phone bill.
Once they did, paying more than $50 every month for unlimited data stood out.
Why He Didn't Need Unlimited Data
Even before the move, his dad probably didn't need an unlimited phone plan.
Afterward, it made even less sense.
He spends more than 99% of his time connected to Wi-Fi and rarely pulls out his phone when he's away from home.
His phone habits are about as simple as they come:
- Calls: This is the bulk of his phone usage.
- Texting: Essentially none.
- Browsing: None.
- Streaming: None.
The family didn't check his exact historical data usage before switching, so they couldn't say precisely how much cellular data he had been using.
But based on how he uses his phone, they knew it wasn't much.
Paying for unlimited data simply didn't make sense.
What They Were Looking for Instead
Once they decided to switch, the goal wasn't to find a phone plan with the most features.
It was almost the opposite.
They wanted:
- A low monthly cost
- A prepaid plan
- A small amount of data
- A reputable carrier
- Reliable coverage
- The ability to keep his existing phone number
Since his dad primarily needed his phone to receive calls from family and friends, there wasn't much reason to pay extra for a huge data allowance.
How Goji Helped Them Find US Mobile
Instead of starting with a specific carrier, the family used Goji to compare inexpensive phone plans.
The goal was simple: find one of the least expensive prepaid options that still came from a reputable carrier.
US Mobile quickly stood out.
Its Light Plan offered what his dad actually needed without making him pay for a bunch of data he'd never use.
Why They Chose US Mobile's Light Plan
When they made the switch, US Mobile's Light Plan included 1GB of data for $72 per year.
That's just $6 per month.
For someone who spends almost all of his time on Wi-Fi and primarily uses his phone for calls, 1GB was plenty.
Here's how the two plans compared:
US Mobile's Light Plan has since changed. The current version includes 2GB of high-speed data and costs $96 per year when paid annually, or the equivalent of $8 per month.
But the same idea applies: for someone who uses very little cellular data, a low-data plan can cost significantly less than a traditional unlimited plan.
Coverage Was the One Concern
Price wasn't the only thing that mattered.
The family also wanted to make sure switching away from AT&T wouldn't leave his dad with worse coverage.
One thing they liked about US Mobile was its network flexibility. US Mobile offers service across three nationwide networks, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and customers can choose which network their line uses. If needed, they can also switch networks later.
That gave the family more flexibility to choose a network that worked well where his dad lived.
The Switch Was So Easy
The actual switching process turned out to be surprisingly uneventful.
In fact, his dad didn't even know his carrier had been changed.
The family kept his existing phone number by porting it over to US Mobile, so there was no new number for him to learn or share with family and friends.
US Mobile mailed them a physical SIM card. They put the new SIM into his phone and completed the activation online.
That was pretty much it.
There were no activation problems and no issues transferring his phone number.
More importantly, his dad hasn't noticed a difference in his coverage or service since the switch.
From his perspective, his phone works exactly like it did before.
The bill is just a whole lot smaller.
The Numbers: More Than $500 Saved Per Year
This is where such a small change starts to look pretty significant.
His old AT&T plan cost more than $50 per month.
Even using $50 as the baseline, that's at least:
$50 × 12 = $600 per year
His US Mobile plan cost:
$72 per year
That works out to savings of at least:
$600 - $72 = $528 per year
And because his old AT&T bill was actually more than $50 per month, his real savings were likely even higher.
That's more than $500 back every year without meaningfully changing how he uses his phone.
The One Thing They Wish They'd Done Differently
Looking back, the biggest realization was that his dad probably could have been saving this money much sooner.
His phone habits didn't suddenly change overnight. Even before moving into assisted living, he wasn't someone who spent much time streaming, browsing, or using cellular data.
But he'd been on the same phone plan for more than a decade.
There hadn't been much reason for anyone else to dig into the bill or question whether the plan still made sense.
It wasn't until his family needed to step in and help manage his finances that they really looked at what he was paying for.
If they could go back, they would have switched him sooner.
Who Could Benefit From a Low-Data Phone Plan?
A plan like this isn't right for everyone.
But it can make a lot of sense for seniors and older adults who spend most of their time at home and connected to Wi-Fi.
It may be worth considering if someone:
- Primarily uses their phone for calls
- Rarely browses or streams away from Wi-Fi
- Spends most of their time at home
- Has limited mobility
- Uses very little cellular data
- Is currently paying for unlimited data out of habit
On the other hand, a small data plan probably isn't a great fit for someone who frequently travels, streams video, uses navigation, browses away from Wi-Fi, or relies on their phone's cellular connection throughout the day.
The important part isn't someone's age.
It's how they actually use their phone.
What Other Families Can Learn From This
If you're helping a parent or older family member manage their expenses, their phone bill may be worth a second look.
Start with a few simple questions:
- How much are they currently paying?
- How much cellular data do they actually need?
- Are they usually connected to Wi-Fi?
- Do they need unlimited data, or have they simply had the same plan for years?
- Could a prepaid or low-data plan provide the same service for less?
And don't forget about coverage.
Saving money isn't much of a win if the phone doesn't work where they need it. Before switching, use Goji's coverage map to compare coverage where your family member lives and spends the most time.
The Biggest Lesson
The biggest lesson wasn't that everyone should leave AT&T or switch to US Mobile.
It was that a phone plan should change when someone's needs change.
For more than a decade, his dad had been paying for an unlimited phone plan.
But he didn't need unlimited data. He needed a reliable way for family and friends to call him.
Once the family matched his phone plan to how he actually used his phone, the difference was huge.
He kept the same phone number.
He hasn't noticed a difference in service.
And instead of spending more than $600 per year on phone service, he was able to spend just $72.
Sometimes lowering a bill doesn't require giving something up.
It just requires looking at what you're actually paying for.
Compare Low-Cost Phone Plans With Goji
If you or a family member has been on the same phone plan for years, it may be worth seeing what else is available.
Goji lets you compare phone plans across carriers, see how much data you're paying for, and check coverage where you live.
You may find that the plan you've been paying for isn't the plan you need anymore.
FAQ
Is a low-data phone plan good for seniors?
It can be. Seniors who spend most of their time connected to Wi-Fi and primarily use their phones for calls may be able to save significantly with a low-data plan instead of paying for unlimited data.
How much does US Mobile's Light Plan cost?
US Mobile currently lists its Light Plan at $10 per month when paid monthly or $96 per year when paid annually. It includes 2GB of high-speed data and unlimited domestic talk and text.
Is 1GB or 2GB of data enough for a senior?
It depends on how the phone is used. Someone who primarily makes calls and stays connected to Wi-Fi may need very little cellular data, while someone who streams, browses, or uses navigation away from Wi-Fi may need considerably more.
Can you keep your phone number when switching from AT&T to US Mobile?
Yes. Existing phone numbers can generally be transferred, or "ported," when switching carriers as long as the number is eligible and the required account information is provided.
Do seniors need unlimited data?
Not necessarily. Unlimited data can be useful for people who use a lot of cellular data, but someone who spends most of their time on Wi-Fi may be paying for far more data than they actually need.
How much can you save by switching from an unlimited plan to a low-data plan?
It depends on your current bill and the plan you choose. In this family's case, switching from an AT&T plan costing more than $50 per month to a $72-per-year US Mobile plan saved more than $500 per year.