Most people would agree, cell phones are basically a necessity in today's world. But, in today’s economy, paying the average cell phone bill isn't as easy as it once was.
There's another alternative on the market, this time from Walmart. The new Straight Talk phone from Walmart is a no contract phone and it works basically like other phones that don't require a contract. The cell phone business is new for Walmart, who already carries most all of their competition, like T-mobile's version as well as Verizon's and AT&T.
"We're here for everybody to save money and live better and this is just the next area we're going into,” said Greg Gore, a manager at the Carolina Forest Walmart. “Home entertainment is so large in the company now and it's just such a huge part of what everybody is into and what everybody is doing. I think Walmart is just moving to the next level."
You can choose from one of three phones: the basic phone for $39 dollars, the mid-level slide phone for $69 and the top-level slide phone for $99. There are two plans: The $30 dollar/30 day plan which gives you 1000 minutes, 1000 text or picture messages and 30MB of data
The 45 dollar plan gives you unlimited minutes, unlimited text and picture messages and unlimited data
Both plans allow 411 calls at no additional charge. Straight Talk, of course isn't the first no-contract phone. In a world however, of crashed credit scores and an uncertain job outlook, the no-contract approach may just grow.
A representative with Verizon said they're seeing a healthy growth level with their traditional plans, but they are also seeing growth in the pay-as-you-go phones. Verizon recently expanded the no contract plans and added features to both the traditional and pre-paid plans.

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