When I was younger, I never really thought twice about saving money. I mean when I was single and didn’t have kids, I worked full-time and all my extra money that didn’t pay bills was mine to do with it as I pleased.
Then, I met Kevin and eventually we got engaged and then got married. When we were newly married, we still weren’t as concerned with money. Although, we did put a certain amount if we could in our savings. But still we spent money and many times truly didn’t think twice about it.
But then, I got pregnant and had Emma. I learned quickly that everything baby cost money. I mean diapers, wipes, formula (and that was the tip of the iceberg) cost a small fortune. I regularly asked myself, “How could a small baby cost this much?”
And then as most know we went back and had Lily only 16 short months later. So to say we were in over our heads with bills and such was an understatement. And add to the fact, as most already know that I ended up losing my teaching job and becoming a stay at home mom. So money was definitely tight living on one income (Kevin’s) for four people.
And now I am always looking for ways to save money and not too proud to admit this.
So, when I was approached to review the Vonage Mobile App, which you can read more about below, I was intrigued, because it was being touted as a way to save money one’s monthly cell phone bill.
Since both Kevin and I have iPhones on a family share plan, we do pay a good amount monthly for this one bill alone. Anyway to cut back on this would be well appreciated by us both, because even I am working now from home between this blog and my design company, we are still in the process of thinking about purchasing our very first home hopefully in the 6-9 months give or take.
In essence whatever I could save on our monthly cell phone bill, I could put right into savings to help with the down payment for a house. Even if it $5 a month, it is $5 more then we had before. So a win-win in my book.
So for those also interested in also saving a bit of money on your cell phone bill, please continue to read more about Vonage Mobile below.
About Vonage Mobile:
- Free app to app phone calls to anyone domestically or internationally using 3G/4G or Wi-Fi
- Share photos, location mapping and voice notes via text
- Free video phone calls with other app users
- Save money on your current mobile plan
- Low cost international calling when a non-app user (on average, 30% cheaper than Skype’s per minute rates and 70-80% cheaper than domestic carriers)
- Available at iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id491391564?mt=8
- Available at Google Play here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vonage.TimeToCall
Benefits of Vonage Mobile:
- Friends/family living in other countries? Simply download the app, have them download it too and never pay to call them again
- Vonage Mobile uses your existing phone number and syncs with your phone book for extremely simple setup (compared to Skype/Google Voice, etc.)
- Simple menu options: Find out immediately if your call is free and which contacts have Vonage Mobile
- Make an iPod touch a cell phone by downloading Vonage Mobile and using Wi-Fi.
And not is Vonage offering to save all my readers money by simply downloading their app, but they are also offering $50 giftcard to iTunes or Google Play for one lucky reader today.
Please enter the Raflecopter giveaway below!!
All entries must be completed and will be validated!!
“Vonage provided product for this review and giveaway. My review is an honest opinion based on my own experience and has not been reviewed or edited by Vonage.”
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massholemommy says
It was the formula that killed me. With my oldest, I only bought the pre-mixed stuff and that's double the price. What was I thinking??
My recent post How’s This for a Tip?
Janine Huldie says
Oh the formula was truly so expensive. Emma was put on the most expensive for lactose and soy allergies (Alimentum), but thankfully at the time insurance covered it, but not so much with Lily. So, yes I can totally feel your pain on that one!!
Karen says
thanks for the info, that's good to know Janine. I dumped verizon because their prices and "plans" were laughable and disgusting. I decided buy a pay as you go phone and for only $45 a month I get 1200 minutes for calls and unlimited text and internet. The service isn't excellent, but it's great. If I do ever decide to get rid of the phone I will think about vonage. I always wondered how it worked. Wonder if I can buy a pay as you go iphone and then use vonage on it.
Janine Huldie says
Karen, that is a great question and do think you may be able to, because it is an app, so as long as you have an iPhone I don't see why you can't download the app and use it 🙂
LisaAndAshley says
Oh my Gosh, Lisa and I were just talking the other day about how much money we would have if we had wasted so much of it when we were younger! So true! Sounds like a great plan and a good way to save some extra dollars! :)-Ashley
My recent post I Just Have To Remember That It Is Not Really Real
Janine Huldie says
Ashley, it is just scary how much we, too wasted and if we had that money now what we could have!! But trying now with small steps (like this) to make some headway!! 🙂 🙂
Billybuc says
Janine, you are the perfect example that if you keep doing what you are doing you will keep getting what you are getting. Success begets success, and this blog is successful. Well done my friend and have a great Monday.
Janine Huldie says
Oh thank you as always Bill and really just trying my best here and totally appreciate your kindness and support always!! 🙂
Fotze says
It´s international?
Janine Huldie says
It is a giftcard and believe it is, but will ask my contact and get back to you.
@MoreThanMommies says
Money is the biggest source of stress for me and my husband. We just bought a new house and our mortgage went up . . . so it feels like we are back to square one (when I wasn't working and we were a 1 income family). But – I've learned that when that's really making things hard for me, I just have to find a kid to hug and look around. Money is important but it's not the MOST important. It makes life easier but can't always make it fuller. 🙂
Janene
My recent post Mommy TMI Take Two – Baby, What Turns You Off?
Janine Huldie says
You said a mouthful Janene and I know I am never short on hugs and love here. So that is a big plus in my book!! 🙂
Rosey says
I like your attitude that $5 is still $5 that hadn't been saved before. Little amounts add up pretty quickly sometimes, and savings is never a bad thing. 🙂
My recent post Walking the Trails
Janine Huldie says
Rosey, it does add up and glad it isn't just me who sees it this way!! 🙂
Stacey says
Hey lovely lady! Thanks so much for linkin up at This Momma's Ramblings for This Momma's Meandering Mondays! Good luck! When I was with my first hubby we ended up having to file for bankruptcy, because we were so very stupid with money, and the current hubby and I only got partially out of debt by leaving my job and cashing in my retirement, Because of that, the hubby and went to straight talk a few months ago, from a standard flip go phone. We knew that we could never get a contract phone, financially, but for a year we pay $500 for our smart phones and unlimited everything. Have an awesome week!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thank you for hosting and seriously also thanking you for sharing. Money issues I think creep up for many and just know you aren't alone and like I said here, we too have had our issues in the past.
Laura says
I am glad I found your blog. It's nice! Followed you with Bloglovin.
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Laura and will follow you back too now! 🙂
ourhomeonderanged says
I never knew this was even a possibility. Our cellphone bill is a real killer, so yes, I'd love for Vonage to lend me a hand! 😉
Janine Huldie says
Melissa, I am telling you they can totally and so happy to share this with you!! 🙂
Lorna says
Thanks for the write up on Vonage. Our phone bills are crazy, and we have family internationally, any way to save money is always helpful these days! Have a great week and a happy fourth!
My recent post WAAD Update June 24, 2013
Janine Huldie says
Lorna, my pleasure and truly do hope this helps out with your phone bills, too!! Have a great week and Happy 4th of July to you also!! 🙂
Janise says
Will definitely check out Vonage. Visiting from THE Collective Social Blog Hop. Have a fabulous day!
xo,
Janise http://MamaInHeels.com
Janine Huldie says
Thank you for visiting Janise and hope you check it out and it helps you!! You too have a fabulous day!! xoxo 🙂
catherine gacad says
Janine, thank you for sharing this resource. To use Vonage, you still have to have (and pay for) an iPhone and a service provider. In other words, I wouldn't be able to ditch my cell phone and use my Macbook, download the app, then make free phone calls. I'm with you, I'm always looking for ways to save and phone bills are so expensive!
My recent post I’m Getting an iPhone!
Janine Huldie says
You are correct 100% Catherine and thought that most reading knew that downloading the app, meant you had to have a smartphone to do this with. It is available on both Apple iTunes and Android, too. Thanks though for making this clear for anyone who might have misread, what I wrote. Appreciate it!! 🙂
NuggetOnABudget says
As I started to read your post, it was like I was talking about my own life! Like most times, lol. RJ and I tried to save money here and there when we were first married, but with two pretty good incomes from working in DC, and not having bought our house yet, we didn't have to worry at all. But then we went from moving to a different state, buying a house and doing things that came along with that, and having Sofia. And now…having another baby. We have money saved, but we REALLY need to keep an eye on spending and keep a tight budget these days. Anything like the Vonage plan you shared here can help! We luckily are each on our parents' plans still so we're not paying a lot for cell phones each month…yet. If they ever kick us off their plans Vonage is a good option!
My recent post five among friends ~ week 3.
Janine Huldie says
Yet, again just more we have in common. Seriously though this is a great option to save a few bucks here and there with. 🙂 xoxo!!
Stephanie says
That sounds interesting! We're not having smart phones, we even share one cell phone in between us because we never use it, but if we had smart phones, that's an app we'd definitely get!
My recent post Challenge 2013 – Book 6: Wolf Hall
Janine Huldie says
Stephanie, I hope if you ever do get smart phones, I hope you will try this and get to use!! 🙂
pictimilitude says
Ha! We just recently got some iPhones…and I might be getting a MacBook one of these here days…Janine, you go, girl. And I'm LOVING the fact that I can comment easily these days – it's weird – ever since I went over to J9 and commented there, I haven't had problems here.
I have no idea. Maybe the internet gods are pleased with me. 😉
My recent post Julie and Julia and Not Blogging
Janine Huldie says
I am truly loving you can comment too and let's just keep our fingers crossed that it stays this way now. I missed you when you couldn't!!
christyb says
Like you, I am always searching for ways to save money. I remember university cost a small fortune ahhhh so I can only imagine what a child would cost! Hugs to you!
My recent post Canada Day + Summer = A Great Day
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Christy and I never would have imagined, but seriously even today I was back at the doctor with Lily running a fever and paying another co-pay at the doctor. It never ends!!
Ruchira says
yup, baby costs a fortune…agree with you!
Vonage has been giving good deals on international front too. Calling my parents in India for just $20 a month and talk time is unlimited!
Calling cards cost a fortune…
Voted for you 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh you are right about calling cards and my experience was when we were in the Bahamas for our honeymoon and I had to buy calling cards. It was ridiculous, so you are totally right. Thank you too for the votes and for sharing about the perks of their international plans, too 🙂
stephsprenger says
You are so right- I am so much more consumed by trying to save money during this expensive stage of parenting than I ever thought possible! Thanks for sharing some good tips with us!
My recent post The Live-Tweeted Family Road Trip
Janine Huldie says
My pleasure, Stephanie for sharing and I know it just crazy how much we do spend at this point and truly don't see it getting any better especially as they head closer to the teen years and want more expensive items!!
clark says
money is funny like that…. (lol yeah, well sometimes these thoughts pop into my head when I go to write a Comment… good news is most of the times I refrain from typing, the bad news is, this time I am not).
All kidding aside, I am a fan/follower of 'mommyholic' (and J9 Designs!)
…and I am entering for the drawing too!
My recent post Twisted MixTape Tuesday #14 the Wakefield Doctrine …when pop music came of age and the Mall reigned supreme
Janine Huldie says
Glad you entered Clark and couldn't agree more about money if I tried!! And you know the feeling is mutual and huge fan of the Doctrine, too!!
realhousewife says
I love that you say you're not too proud to admit you like saving money! Me too!
When Dave and I had a young family, we were really living paycheck to paycheck like most everyone else. I ended up cutting the cable, cell phones, just anything "extra". I didn't resort to using a CC (and still don't) unless it was an emergency. I can remember when everybody else had cable and we had local 2, 4, 5, 11 and 30 channels. We'd lay in bed and watch reruns of The Newly Wed Game and try to answer the questions like we were playing…those were some GOOD times!! Hahaha. I'd look into his eyes and say stuff like, "OMG! We're poor people aren't we?" NO NO NO!
Soon all those expenses like diapers and daycare went away…the savings got fat and we've never looked back!!
Janine Huldie says
Oh Kelly, we also try very hard not to use the credit cards and we do we only charge what we can pay off immediately. I have never paid finance charges on my credit cards and am damn proud to say that. The math person in me is good at crunching the numbers and making it work, but it isn't easy and just do the very best I can here. And The Newly Wed Game was such a fun show. Wonder why they don't replay reruns anymore!! 🙂
aywebtech says
Those are great tips to always keep in mind. One of your points I cant stress enough, is for short videos. If it is a long video that needs to be seen, I think a link to the video is better and the viewer can look at it when they have time to or want to. Mobile is so popular, the NFL is in talks with Google, Apple and others. And yes, I was wondering what that phone Magnum PI is holding also.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much for stopping by and I know still would love to know what the phone Magnum PI is holding after all these years!!