How to Make Your Prepaid Minutes Last Longer

Running out of minutes for your prepaid cell phone is no fun, so here are a few tips to help make those minutes last longer

5 Tips for Managing Your Prepaid Minutes

Use these practical tips to help control how fast your minutes escape from your cell phone. 

1. Always Use a Promo Code

When you add a new minutes card to your prepaid cell phone, always make sure you use a promo code to get free bonus minutes. 

Most promo codes give you 20-50 bonus minutes.

While 20 or 30 minutes does not seem like much, it actually does make a difference.

With 30 bonus minutes you can send 100 more texts, or enjoy a few longer talks on the phone. 

Check out our full list of updated Tracfone Promo Codes and find one to use next time you add minutes to your phone.

For some minute cards, like the 400 minute and 1 year of service card, you can get as much as 250 bonus minutes! That is a huge boost to your minutes, so go check out those promo codes!

2. Get a Phone with Double Minutes (or Triple Minutes!)

Double Minutes is a feature from Tracfone that doubles every minute you buy for your phone. So if you buy a 60 minute phone card, when you enter it you will get a total of 120 minutes.

Double Minutes comes on almost all Tracfone prepaid cell phone and is a must have. If you don't have it with your cell phone, we suggest you buy a Tracfone that has it. A new Tracfone cell phone with Double Minutes included can be as cheap as $10.

Some newer Tracfone prepaid phones have Triple Minutes included with the phone. If you are looking for a nicer phone, and are planning to use it often, we strongly recommend Tracfone's Triple Minutes phones. 

3. Don't Answer Calls from Telemarketers

While you might be tempted to answer every call you get, this quickly uses up your minutes. 

So check the phone number before you answer, and if it is unfamiliar  or from a 1800 number, think twice before answering it. 

It might just be a lot easier to listen to any message they leave, and then determine if it is worth your time. 

4. Don't Give Your Number Out to Everyone

Avoid as much as possible giving your number out online. Try not to post it on any websites, or when you signup for accounts unless it is required. 

The more often you give your number out online, the more likely it is a telemarketer will find it, and try to call you.

Also be careful who you give your number out to. If you are checking out at a store and they ask you for your number, think twice before giving it. Offer your email instead.

We are not suggesting you stop giving your number out to friends and family, that would eliminate the whole reason you got the cell phone! 

Just be mindful who you give your cell phone number out to, and if you think they don't really need it, then don't give it.

5. Know When to Text

Texting using Tracfone prepaid cell phones costs much less then a phone call, about .3 minutes epr text vs 1 minute per minute talking.

So when you just have a simple question or statement, try sending a text instead.

Do recognize that if you start carrying on a long conversation through text messages, you could probably have had the same conversation using less minutes if you had called.

So just be aware when sending a text is better than a phone call.

Interested in more information about Triple Minute phones from Tracfone? Check out our Tracfone Cell Phone Reviews Page!

Tracfone 376g Prepaid Flip Phone

A Good Backup or Emergency Cell Phone

The Motorola 376g is a flip phone prepaid cell phone from Tracfone.

It offers great durability, good battery life, and good value for the money.

376g from Tracfone

Durability

The 376g, and other models including the 370 and 375 Motorola versions, are older style flip phones with simple features, but great durability. 

In our testing, the Motorola 376g survived multiple drops from waist and head height onto concrete floor. The battery and/or back cover often came off, but once replaced, the phone worked perfectly.

The only damage sustained were small scratches and dings on the outside of the phone, which did not interfere with the use of the cell phone.   

This rugged prepaid phone also endured sustained abuse during 3 years of testing. The phone continued to function properly even after years of dropping and throwing of the phone. It also survived being dropped in water. 

Battery Life

Good battery life is a key benefit of flip phones which are able to turn off the screen when the phone is closed. 

The Motorola 376g has great battery life, lasting up to 15 days on standby. For average use, it lasts about 5-7 days when new.

The phone continues to have good battery life even after years of use. In our testing, even after 3 years, the phone still could last 48-72 hours on a charge with normal use.

Compared to many other phones currently available which last less than 24 hours after 6 months, this is very good.

Good Value

The Tracfone 376g is an older phone and typically has a reduced price in many stores. Although the Tracfone website lists the price at $20, de9w2dsl has seen it in-store for about $10.

Other versions of this phone, including most of the prepaid flip phones from Tracfone, are widely available and offer similar features and benefits.

This phone is a great deal for the money, but is a simple flip phone. For those looking for a more feature filled and stylish phone, consider reading about the LG 500G.

Emergency or Backup Phones

Tracfone flip phones make great emergency or backup cell phones because of their long battery life, rugged durability, and good value.

These prepaid cell phones are useful for anyone who might be without a cell phone when they need it. Maybe for a grandparent when they are away from their house, or perhaps for a backpacker. 

Technical Specs of the 376g from Tracfone

The Motorola 376g and similar versions offer calling, texting and camera. They also have phone books, downloadable ringtones, and internet access. 

While we would not recommend using the internet feature because of the cost, it is available for use to download pictures and songs.

Overall, this phone offers all the features of a simple flip phone that can be used for a variety of needs.

Read more Tracfone Reviews Here

What to do if You Drop Your Cell Phone in Water

Dropping Your Cell Phone in Water can Happen to Anyone

Maybe your phone fell into the toilet, or your friends pushed you into a pool, or even some water just splashed onto your cell phone, no matter how it happens, it can be a problem.

But with this simple guide, you might be able to save your cell phone from it's watery grave.

How to Fix a Cell Phone Dropped in Water

Cell Phone in Water By brokinhrt2

The first thing you should do is don't panic, and quickly grab your phone out of the water. Maybe it is in the pool, or a toilet, no matter where it is get it out of the water as quickly as you can.

1. Use a Towel to Dry it Off

Next, grab a towel, toilet paper or t-shirt and dry off the excess water on the outside. Don't worry about getting in between the keys, just get any water drops dried up.

2. Use your Vacuum Cleaner

Yep, that's right, if you have a vacuum cleaner, use it to suck out the moisture and water from the cracks on the phone between keys or the screen. Note: Don't use any heating devices like hairdryers because these can do more damage than good.

3. Take the Battery Out

Take off the back cover and the battery. Take off anything you can remove that covers the phone like a case or screen cover. Remove the SIM card, which is usually located next to the battery. If there is any water in these areas, dry it out with a paper towel and set these pieces aside on a paper towel.

4. Get a Bowl of Rice

Rice is a great at absorbing water, so get a bowl or Tupperware full of rice, and bury your phone in it. Let it say in there for at least a full day before removing it. The rice will slowly absorb any moisture from the inside of the phone and hopefully restore it to functioning condition. 

5. Try Turning it On

Once the phone has sat in the rice for at least 24hrs, take it out and check for any moisture. If it is still wet, then repeat the process. 

If it is dry, which it should be if you did the previous steps correctly, then replace the SIM card, battery and anything else you removed. Now, cross your fingers and turn it on. 

In our experience, this worked perfectly on a Tracfone prepaid flip phone that was dropped in a toilet. After a few days in rice, it worked just fine.

If your phone doesn't turn on for some reason, try charging the battery. We also had a phone go through a washing machine and it worked ok after a charge of the battery.

If your phone still does not work, then consider taking it to a electronics store, taking it apart yourself, or buying a new cell phone.

If your phone is totally dead, then check out Tracfone Reviewer's Cell Phone Reviews page where we have reviewed lots of great phones from Tracfofne

Cheapest Prepaid Cell Phone from Tracfone

What is the Cheapest Cell Phone Plan?

Many people need a simple cell phone that can do basic calling and texting without the high price of the major cell phone carriers of AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

There are many different options for choosing a cheap cell phone plan, and a few different factors one should  be familier with.

Questions to ask When Buying the Cheapest Cell Phone Plan:

• How much talk/text do you need?
• Do you want any extra features like internet access or phone book.
• Do you want the cheapest phone, or good value for your money?

How Much Talk Time and Texting do you Need?

This is an important question to ask, how many minutes do you need each month? If you don't plan to use your phone very much; a few texts and phone calls a week, then the cheapest plan could be right for you.

Cheap Cell Phones Are Available, but Which One?

But if you want to make several longer calls a month, and 100 or more texts a month, then consider looking for the ability to buy minutes as you go or from a minutes card.

Tracfone sells minutes cards that range from 60 to 450 minutes for 3 months of service. This allows you to buy more or less minutes depending on how many you use in three months.

Also included on most Tracfone prepaid cell phones are double minutes for life, which doubles all minutes you add to the phone!

So if you add the 60 minute card, you will get 120 minutes total!

An average cell phone user who makes several phone calls a week will need about 100 minutes a month. A 120 minute prepaid minutes card ($30) from Tracfone with Double Minutes for Life, will provide 240 minutes every 3 months. If you add a promo code, you can get an extra 30-60 bonus minutes.

Check out our free promo codes to get bonus minutes every time you add a new minutes card!

This is the cheapest cell phone plan that Tracfone Reviewer has found, at about $10 or less a month. Obviously, if you use the phone only as a backup, you can get the 60 minute card and save even more.

Do You Want Extra Features on your Prepaid Cell Phone?

Do you want a plain flip phone that is bare bones or something with a few features to make using the cell phone easier?

If you are just looking for a prepaid cell phone that will be a backup phone or emergency phone, than the cheapest cell phone will be best for you. 

Tracfone sells several phones for $10 that have text messaging, simple features like a phone book and even cameras. But they won't have many features, and will look like a phone from 10 years ago.

But, for another $20, one can find several different cheap cell phones that have a variety of features. The LG 500G (Usually $30, sometimes on sale for $20 or less!) Has voice recording, MP3 playback, video and camera functions.

 Read the full review of the LG 500G to learn more about all the features.

Tracfone Reviewer suggest spending a little extra to get a better phone. We have found that while the cheapest cell phones are adequate for a backup phone, a better phone will make life much easier and at only $10 to $20 more, you can have a faster, newer phone.

Also be sure that whatever Tracfone you choose has Double Minutes for Life (which most do).

Do You Want the Cheapest Cell Phone, or a Good Value Cell Phone Plan?

Many people think they want to get just the cheapest cell phone plan they can find, but this has serious drawbacks.

Tracfone Reviewer has found that there are several different cheap cell phones and plans that are also a good value for your money.

Tracfone prepaid cell phones can be the cheapest cell phone option if used only a few times a month. The price per month will be less than $10 for service and minutes.

If you want to use your prepaid cell phone a little more often, but still want to keep prices low, a nice phone can be purchased for $30 or less and a 120 minute card with 3 months of service will average out to about $20 for the first three months, and $10 after that.

Consider the Tracfone Family Value plan (and read our review of it) where you can add several phone onto one plan, with the first phone costing $10 a month for 50 minutes, and all additional phones costing $6 per month for 40 minutes. All minutes are automatically added each month, and if you have a phone with double or triple minutes, then you get 100 to 150 minutes!

There are cheap cell phone plans available, and almost anyone can afford $10 a month especially for the security and comfort a cell phone can offer.

Got Questions? Leave a comment!

Now check out Tracfone Reviewer's pick of the Best Cell Phones from Tracfone for Texting!

Tracfone Review - LG 500G

The LG 500G is Fast, Feature Equipped, and a Great Value

The LG 500G from Tracfone is a prepaid cell phone with full QWERTY keypad and follows a blackberry in its styling. 

It does not have any flipping or sliding parts which often have a tendency to break or malfunction. 

The LG 500G is faster than many Tracfone prepaid phones, especially older phones such as the Motorola W376G.

Tracfone LG 500G 

Texting and navigating through the menu and options is quick and fluid. Texts are sent fast with a notification box that flashes on the screen to say thy have sent.

The Tracfone LG 500G also has plenty of features to keep anyone busy.

LG 500g Features:

• Full QWERTY Keyboard
• 1.3 Megapixel Camera and Video Recorder
• Voice Recorder
• Mobile Web
• MP3 Player (cable and microSD Card not included)
• 2.2 inch LCD Color Display
• Hands Free Speaker
• Keypad Lock
• 1,000 Entry Phone Book
• Alarm Clock
• Long Battery Life - 9 days on standby, 4-5 with average use
• Includes Double Minutes for Life
• Cell Phone Charger
• Thin Design - Dimensions: 3.3 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches (3 ounces) 

The Tracfone LG 500G does not have all the capabilities of a smartphone from Verizon or AT&T, but it brings plenty of features that offer great functionality for this phone.

What de9w2dsl Thought about the LG 500G

What We Liked about the Cell Phone:

Great variety of useful features. The keypad lock, alarm clock, hands free speaker, large phone book, and qwerty keypad are all great and very useful.

LG 500G

Slim and sleek design that looks good and fits easily in a pocket.

Camera, video, and voice recording nice to have and work well enough. But don't expect to take high resolution pictures of beautiful mountain scenery with this camera phone.

The LG500g has fantastic battery life compared to most other cell phones, especially smartphones. Tracfone advertises a 9 day battery life on standby mode which seems easily possible. In de9w2dsl's testing, the phone lasts 4-5 days when used normally (a few texts/calls everyday and use of alarm clock and other features throughout the day). 

Many smartphone batteries only last 2 days when new, and some become reduced to a 12 hours of battery life after a few months of use. But the LG 500G still lasts 4-5 days after 12 months of use.

And our last big like about the LG 500g is that you can find, and download for free lots of games from websites such as MobileRated.com. These games aren't super fancy, but they are fun and will keep you, or others entertained!

What We Did Not Like about the Cell Phone:

While the LG 500G is a fantastic phone, there are a few things de9w2dsl did not like about it.

The biggest issue we had is that the internet access button is easy to accidentally push and each time you do that it costs 0.4 minutes. 

There is no way to change what this button does, so you will be accidentally hitting this quite a bit while you are getting used to the button layout. 

It can be very frustrating to see several minutes of service be burned by accidentally hitting the internet button, but one does get used to it. We have found that using key-lock does a good job at avoiding accidentally hitting the internet button or dialing someone while the phone is in your pocket. 

One does get used to the key configuration relatively quickly, and stops accidentally hitting the internet button.

What we wish the Tracfone LG 500g would allow would be to change what the internet button does, so that it isn't accidentally pushed.

While on the topic of the LG500g's Mobile Web, it is worth mentioning our dissatisfaction with it. It burns through minutes quickly surfing the internet on the Mobile Web, and isn't very good. But no one should be getting this phone with an expectation of surfing the web from it.

Overall, the Tracfone LG 500G is a great buy at its regular price of $29.99. It can sometimes be found for even cheaper prices, both in stores, on the Tracfone website, and most often on Amazon

View our other Reviews of Tracfone Cell Phones

de9w2dsl - A Blog Bringing the Best and Cheapest Prepaid Phones to light

de9w2dsl is a blog that will provide useful information relating to prepaid cell phones and plans from Tracfone.

The goal of de9w2dsl is to share clear and simple reviews of Tracfone products to help consumers make a better decision when choosing a cell phone and service provider.

Today, there are many different cell phone options ranging from unlimited talk, text and data smart phones, to international cell phones. These plans can be hugely expensive and some people are only looking for a simple prepaid phone that won't break the bank.

Tracfone is one of several prepaid cell phone companies that offers good value for your money with simple, easy to use cell phones.

This blog is written based on first hand experience using tracfone prepaid cell phones and services. de9w2dsl hopes to provide you answers to your questions and concerns regarding buying a prepaid cell phone.

If you have any questions or comments, leave 'em in a comment.

-de9w2dsl Team