When did you stop paying for your kid’s cell phone?

[Anonymous]

Presumably, we’d keep our kids on our family plan through college. Then what? Tell them then need to get their own phones and cut them off? What have you done?

[Anonymous]

I know, I know, a family plan is much cheaper but we didn't want to be enmeshed. When kids went to college, they got their own plan. We paid their bill while they were in college. Yes, I know it was more expensive but that was ok.

[Anonymous]

18:50 it was the first thing we "cut the cord" on. Then auto insurance. Last, health insurance when they maxed out at 26.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know, I know, a family plan is much cheaper but we didn't want to be enmeshed. When kids went to college, they got their own plan. We paid their bill while they were in college. Yes, I know it was more expensive but that was ok.

Hmmm…interesting point about not being enmeshed. So when they graduated, you stopped paying their bill?

[Anonymous]

yes

[Anonymous]

19:07 again. They graduated a few years ago. Imo, it's so nice not to need to know re: their phone, upgrades, other phone details.

[Anonymous]

Because it is that much more expensive to be on our my own plan, I’ve stayed on my dad’s phone plan but I send him the full annual amount each January. In my family we share things like streaming services and other membership perks one of us has to save money and resources all around. I especially respect my Dad for allowing this because in my mind it’s the one gift I couldn’t buy myself (a $25/mo grandfathered in amazing plan with 5+ users and all the perks)

[Anonymous]

LOL. Both my DH and BIL are still on their parents plan. The oldest is 40! Both of us wives have our own through work.

It's actually handy because my ILs are old and not techy, so the "kids" can call and are authorized account holders for any issues.

[Anonymous]

I'm still paying. When it bothers me I'll stop. We make a lot more than they do, and they appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

My DS just graduated from college and we are keeping for now. We will also keep health insurance and car insurance for now.

He is on his own for rent, food, and basically everything else, but these three we can easily afford and would be hard for him. We will see and reduce when he can. It's still a major reduction of expenses for me - no more living expenses or tuition.

[Anonymous]

There are three good stages to do that.

1. One year after kid gets their first job post college.

2. Once they are engaged.

3. When you retire.

[Anonymous]

One of my 2 recently got married so I asked him to join her plan. The other DS is still on my plan. I do not pay for a new phone or international fees or turn on a new phone fee.

[Anonymous]

I still pay post college. It is cheaper overall. They are totally self supporting otherwise so it like an extra gift. At some point we will stop but no specific time planned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I still pay post college. It is cheaper overall. They are totally self supporting otherwise so it like an extra gift. At some point we will stop but no specific time planned.

Adding I do not pay for their phones just the service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are three good stages to do that.

1. One year after kid gets their first job post college.

2. Once they are engaged.

3. When you retire.

Agree.
We plan on doing this for phone, car insurance and health insurance for our boys. My parents did option #2 for me. My husband's parents did option#1 for him.