Anonymous
01/15/2017 10:44
Subject: Au pair phone data plans - best practices?
We switched to Google/project fi plans. Free us text and calls, reasonable international rates. Charges are for data use (so obviously use wifi connection as much as possible). With payment for the phone and up to 1 GB data per month we pay $25-35 per month for her phone. If she goes over 1 GB of data (which is ridiculous, but was still done), then we charge them for data used at the same rate paid ($10/GB).
Anonymous
01/10/2017 12:11
Subject: Au pair phone data plans - best practices?
I signed mine up for US Mobile which uses Tmobile's transmissions. I love that I can add minutes or data whenever- it's a pay as you go plan, but you can set it up to be recurring so it's as good as a normal plan. $28/month.
https://www.usmobile.com/
https://www.usmobile.com/
Anonymous
01/10/2017 09:28
Subject: Au pair phone data plans - best practices?
Anonymous wrote:There are tons of best practices as far as cell phone use goes, but at least I would start with providing a decent amount of data that is capped and that will not cause any overages in the event where your AP uses a lot of data.
We used to have our 3DCs and AP on a 15gb family plan, which I think was PLENTY. Our AP was very respectful of her share, but I could see how this could become a problem if AP of any member of the family plan is a data hogger.
Our AP recently left, and we just moved to a new data plan. We moved to T-Mobile because I like that they segregate the data for each member in the plan. Everyone gets 6GB and if they reach 6GB then that's it, their internet goes to sludge speed but it does not affect anyone else. No overages. And it's only $40 per month per line (when you bring your own phone). We used to offer AP our old iPhone. Otherwise, AP is welcome to buy whatever phone s/he wants.
https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans.html?icid=WMM_TM_TMBLONE_S00W055QZJ6425
The other approach I would consider is giving AP her own plan. ATT has a prepaid plan that is 4GB for about $40 per month with unlimited voice and text and no overages, and includes Mexico, Canada, and free texting to a bunch of countries. It's a great deal. there is a cheaper plan as well. I could definitely see agreeing to pay for this for AP and letting her know that anything over she is responsible for.
https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/voice/sku7420265.html
Correction about the T-Mobile- It's 6 gb before the internet goes to sludge.
Anonymous
01/10/2017 09:26
Subject: Au pair phone data plans - best practices?
There are tons of best practices as far as cell phone use goes, but at least I would start with providing a decent amount of data that is capped and that will not cause any overages in the event where your AP uses a lot of data.
We used to have our 3DCs and AP on a 15gb family plan, which I think was PLENTY. Our AP was very respectful of her share, but I could see how this could become a problem if AP of any member of the family plan is a data hogger.
Our AP recently left, and we just moved to a new data plan. We moved to T-Mobile because I like that they segregate the data for each member in the plan. Everyone gets 6GB and if they reach 4GB then that's it, their internet goes to sludge speed but it does not affect anyone else. No overages. And it's only $40 per month per line (when you bring your own phone). We used to offer AP our old iPhone. Otherwise, AP is welcome to buy whatever phone s/he wants.
https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans.html?icid=WMM_TM_TMBLONE_S00W055QZJ6425
The other approach I would consider is giving AP her own plan. ATT has a prepaid plan that is 4GB for about $40 per month with unlimited voice and text and no overages, and includes Mexico, Canada, and free texting to a bunch of countries. It's a great deal. there is a cheaper plan as well. I could definitely see agreeing to pay for this for AP and letting her know that anything over she is responsible for.
https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/voice/sku7420265.html
We used to have our 3DCs and AP on a 15gb family plan, which I think was PLENTY. Our AP was very respectful of her share, but I could see how this could become a problem if AP of any member of the family plan is a data hogger.
Our AP recently left, and we just moved to a new data plan. We moved to T-Mobile because I like that they segregate the data for each member in the plan. Everyone gets 6GB and if they reach 4GB then that's it, their internet goes to sludge speed but it does not affect anyone else. No overages. And it's only $40 per month per line (when you bring your own phone). We used to offer AP our old iPhone. Otherwise, AP is welcome to buy whatever phone s/he wants.
https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans.html?icid=WMM_TM_TMBLONE_S00W055QZJ6425
The other approach I would consider is giving AP her own plan. ATT has a prepaid plan that is 4GB for about $40 per month with unlimited voice and text and no overages, and includes Mexico, Canada, and free texting to a bunch of countries. It's a great deal. there is a cheaper plan as well. I could definitely see agreeing to pay for this for AP and letting her know that anything over she is responsible for.
https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/voice/sku7420265.html
Anonymous
01/10/2017 09:11
Subject: Au pair phone data plans - best practices?
I just dropped our AuPair down from 8GB to 4GB and nearly sliced our bill in half. He uses close to 8GB, which is absurd. His data cuts out when he goes over. I think he is just lazy and doesn't pick up wifi. Im sure he will now, since he'll be without data of he goes over.
Anonymous
01/10/2017 08:52
Subject: Au pair phone data plans - best practices?
Hello! We are setting up a data plan for our au pair's phone - what's a reasonable amount of data to expect that an au pair will use from your experience? Any other tips? THANKS!