This post is a collaboration with Public Mobile – get ready to have your frugal socks rocked by an actually-affordable cell phone option in Canada.
When I first started tracking my spending, my phone bill was this consistently awful part of my month. I’d be totally on track to hit my spending goals, and bam – like clockwork, my phone bill would show up with extra data charges, or a long-distance call I forgot I had made.
Plus, the base rate was just nuts, all on its own.
I would watch with barely-contained jealousy at the amazing deals that would pop up in the States, like Republic Wireless and Google Fi, and shake my head.
“I wish we had better options in Canada,” was basically my cell phone motto as I counted down the days until cell-phone-contract freedom.
My options for cutting down my phone bill were pretty limited, and generally involved one of the following situations.
- Getting a much cheaper plan, but spotty coverage.
- Staying with my current plan until the day I die, because my phone company tried to upsell me about once a week on a new, much more expensive plan.
Literally. Those were my choices.
Those are bad choices.
That’s why I was so genuinely stoked to find out about Public Mobile in Canada. If you haven’t heard of them, you need to.
Public Mobile is basically the best parts of the big phone companies – a national network with full coverage, plus loyalty discounts if you stay with them for a long time – and the most awesome things about newer phone options. Those awesome things include no contracts, choosing exactly what you want to pay for, and not paying for things you don’t want.
You guys know I am all about not paying for things you don’t even use. Remember that time I saved over $1,000 just by eliminating useless payments? I do, and so does my bank account.
You know what else I’m all about, though? Is getting rid of stuff you don’t use.
Reading the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is actually one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place, so imagine my excitement when I found out that there was a cellphone option in Canada that allowed you to get rid of useless payments, and get rid of useless stuff at the same time.
Actually, no, don’t imagine it. Let me show you in person.
In case you don’t feel like watching me be a dork on camera, here’s the deal.
Public Mobile will make you a stellar trade as part of their #SIMSwap campaign. You trade them a useless item – think pen-that-has-no-ink-left, or gum wrapper – and they’ll send you a free SIM card.
You can use that Public Mobile SIM card to sign up for cell phone service that actually fits your life, and save money in the process. Want data, but could live without texting or phone calls? They’ve got you covered. Want a basic phone plan, and to rely on wifi for your internet needs? They can do that, too.
Now, ok, of course there are limits to what can score you a free SIM card here. Some things are just big enough to be too useless, aka too expensive to swap. I’d recommend not trying to send them your old couch or your ancient refrigerator, but otherwise, go for gold.
All you have to do to score your free Public Mobile SIM card? Tweet or Instagram them an image of the useless item you’d like to swap using the hashtag #SIMSwap and their handle @publicmobile.
And if you’re wondering why anyone would trade you anything for your old stuff, like I was when I found that horrifyingly old hair tie in my junk drawer? Well, here’s the deal. Public Mobile is running this campaign because they want more Canadians to experience what a flexible, actually-fits-your-life-and-budget phone plan feels like (spoiler alert, it’s good.)
Want to score an even better deal?
If a free SIM card is good, a free phone is even better.
I know.
It’s crazy, but Public Mobile wants to give one of you guys a free phone. Specifically, I’m going to choose a winner at random to receive a totally free Alcatel phone, care of Public Mobile, and a full year of free Public Mobile cell service. To be eligible, here’s what you need to do.
- Live in Canada.
- Leave a comment on this post telling me if you’ll be participating in #SIMSwap, or what useless item you’d trade in for a free SIM card.
Seriously, that’s it.
Drop me a comment about what useless thing you’d trade in as part of the #SIMSwap campaign, and you’re entered in the draw to win a free phone and a full year of cellphone service.
If your cell phone bill is anything like mine was? That’s like, at least $1000 you’ll be able to put towards something way more fun this year.
The draw will close on August 30th, 2016, so make sure to comment before then to be entered! I mean, unless you don’t want free cell phone service and a free phone (can I call you moneybags? I might have to from now on.)
The content is now closed, and the winner will be contacted via email – thank you all for participating!
This makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry. Or move to Canada. Or break my phone contract with Sprint. We spent $160 a month on two phones. That’s almost my GROCERY budget. Sigh. Love this option, Des! And hooray for the video and your lovely site!
Thank you Penny! And trust me, my former $60 + data overages plan (that would have been $80 had I “upgraded” to the same exact plan) has me intimately familiar with your pain. The Boyfriend scored an impossible legacy plan with one of our major cell phone companies up here, that he’ll give up over his dead body (or pass on to our hypothetical children) so his bill is fine, but omg. The cell phone struggle is real. Is there a reason you guys can’t use Fi or Republic? (Service coverage is a totally legit reason.)
That’s awesome! I’m currently on Wind but like the idea of national coverage. I’ll have to check later if my existing phone ports over.
Useless item eh? I have an old rogers TV remote that they refused to take when I cut out cable, maybe they will want that 😉 ? #SIMSwap
Hahahaha omg CLASSIC Rogers move. “No, that’s a thank you for being a customer NO YOU KEEP IT *runs away*”
Don’t you just love when you have options? Makes life much easier. I know all too well about those pesky phone charges and I switched from Verizon years ago because of it. I haven’t overpaid since!
That’s so awesome Latoya!
I’ve probably got a selection of old phones kicking around. Should see if I can find my old Motorola Razr. Fun! I’m on contract with Rogers but will look at Public Mobile next time my renewal comes up.
It’s so crazy how quickly old phones add up – and how sneaky they are at finding hiding places, lol.
Just checked my junk drawer and I would swap a horrible hair barrette! I swear i never bought the thing it’s just in my drawer whyyyyyyy. #SIMSwap
Thanks for the info I always wish i was spending less on my phone holy geez its bad here in Canada!
Lmao I FEEL YOU there are so many things I look at and am like why? Why are you in my house? I NEVER AGREED TO THIS.
Multiple chargers for phones I no longer have! Having a cheaper phone bill would definitely help my budget ?
Omg yes old chargers are the worst for sticking around! I’m actually an Android Person now, but has that kept me from holding onto my old iPhone chargers? Of course not, lol.
Well we come by the acute acquired nesting disorder honestly. I’m going in search of the junk because after three years of cleaning it out, there is still some everywhere . . . magically. I will tweet my little treasure out to the world and wait for its entertainment value and maybe a new phone.
For those that dont know, Public Mobile is Telus. It is their “value brand” and it uses the full Telus network. Telus also owns Koodoo which is their value brand targeted to teens. In ontario, in locations where Telus does not have their own towers, their phones use the Bell network (Customers cannot tell if they are connected to Bell or Telus towers).
I just thought i would mention this so folks know this is not a new small startup. Its just Telus/bell performance with a different pricing scheme (and this pricing scheme could be quite attractive to a lot of folks).
Would love to be able to switch carriers. Always get depressed seeing my bill every month. Would totally trade all the old extra clothing buttons I have in my bedside drawer – why do I keep these things??
An old SIM card! I’m not even sure why I keep it. Thank you for the info! I was looking to reduce my 60 $ phone bill, this comes on point. 🙂
I would trade in my old ginormo suitcase. I can’t even remember the last time I checked a bag – so whyyyyy can’t I get rid of it? #SIMSwap
Very interesting, going to check them out! I came across a very cute, but solo, faux gold stud earring. I loved them, but I am never going to find its mate, why am I keeping it??
I have an old powerade cap that I for some reason insist on keeping. Please, Public Mobile, take my powerade cap.
I do not have a cell phone because of cost. I would love one but am forced to share my wife’s phone as I do not see the sense of paying two phone bills.
I have golf clubs that are sitting in garage as they don’t work anymore.
A water soaked Iphone! Thanks for bringing this service to us Des. I had never heard of them before you blogged about them. Definitely going to check them out.
No matter what provided you go with here to have decent coverage I’m constintly facing a $100 phone bill. Our options here are terrible.
Yes I’ll participating in #SIMSwap – my useless item an ancient Palm Pilot PDA
that’s been lurking in the back of my desk drawer.
Thanks for setting up the contest.
Update from Pat … Golf clubs are too big to ship. I have a single hole puncher for paper. I have used a three hole punch recently, but not the single hole puncher. Not sure if these are ever used anymore.
I had “retention” plans through Rogers and ended up not only spending money but my time constantly having to call them to Bill me properly, or to stop being sneaky with extra charges.
I saved a few $ a month by switching to Koodo, but saved a whole lot more time (and sanity)!
I’d be happy to donate my old Rogers modem- who knows, maybe it will magically work with a different internet provider 🙂
I would trade my husband’s 80.00 cellphone bill.Cellphone bills cost so much ,so any bit of help would be great.
Great stuff, Des! I just ordered a new phone from Virgin, who I’ve been with for a long time, but you’ve definitely have got me curious about Public Mobile and saving on monthly charges. Funny, I also have an older Blackberry and Samsung Galaxy just sitting around.
Right now i have a work cell phone but i could use a personal phone. Looks like a useful service.
I used to be skeptical whenever people recommended using Republic Wireless as a way to lower your cell phone bill. Whenever Republic Wireless wasn’t in wi-fi, it would use the Sprint network, which is really terrible (multiple dropped calls, ghosted text msg’s, etc). This is why I lot of people considered the more expensive plans with AT&T and Verizon (the two big dogs) to be a necessary evil. Although I’ve heard Republic Wireless has very recently switched to the T-mobile network, so hopefully that means coverage gets better.
I used Cricket for a long while and was happy with them. $35 a month (taxes+fees included!) for unlimited text/talk and 2.5 GB data. Bummer I’m not Canadian to participate for the free phone.
I switched to Fido two years ago lured by their promotional deal but this year there have been 3 months that they billed me enormous additional charges out of the blue. As well they also claimed the promo price has expiref and my monthly bill went up by itself. I was considering going to Mobilicity but will check out this service. Thank you for your post.
For an useless item how about a melt down non stick spatula that somehow I was still keeping even though I have gone through a few decluttering activities in my kitchen ?
I have chargers for things I don’t think I have anymore. I wish they would put identification on the chargers so when I find one I know what it belongs to
This is great! I would definitely trade in my old iPhone. The screen is cracked and it won’t turn on but can’t seem to get rid of it.
Wow! The first thing I did was check the coverage map because the alternative cell phone companies in the past have not had service where I live, but I’m on Public Mobiles map! Maybe this is something I need to look further into, since my husband always goes over his data, which can mean our cell phone bill for 2 phones can be more than $200 a month. And all so we can text each other and play games on it.
I’d donate my super-duper very old flip cell phone that I’m still holding onto for whatever reason from like, 2002. Why do I still have this?
Thanks. I have an old old Nokia cell phone that i would gladly give up!
Oh a new phone provider in Canada? I shall have to look into that! Thanks for the info! It is terrible that we end up paying so much for companies that provide coverage outside of the big cities.
A free Phone ! wow ! elimination of phone bills…it drew me in! I would trade in my one quarter full shampoo bottle….use the shampoo until another brand calls out to help control the frizz in my hair!!
Internet bills are my next disaster!!!!! Help! how do we save?
I would love to find sayings from my monthly phone bill! I’m with Rogers on an old plan and they just wrote me to tell me they are forcing me into another plan automatically. I would swap an old phone I’m holding on to for no reason! #SIMSwap
Great contest and great partnership with Public. I have a corporate discount with one of the major 3 brands and it’s a pretty good deal. That said i treat it more like a basic phone and turn off data when I’m out to conserve the 1G of data I share with my husband. I don’t like paying for overages.
Time always plays tricks… just did a hardware upgrade with Rogers a few days before seeing this post. I couldn’t get anywhere with a better loyalty plan than I already had.
I’d gladly swap my old laptop mouse (with spare batteries) for a new SIM and Service. #SIMSwap
Be great to take advantage of the #SIMswap and get on a new plan. I have an old phone or book of poetry that I’d swap… 🙂
I offered to trade a picture of odd lights in the sky.
YEE HAW. I live in Canada and would love to put that extra money saved on my phone and plan toward my student loans! I’ll #SIMSwap a dead Dry Erase marker. They always seem to magically dry out way before their time…
I just participated in the #SIMSwap and sent in a photo of a deactivated Mobilicity SIM card for a free Public Mobile SIM card. Public Mobile’s network coverage seems amazing – no zone restrictions. What good is a plan with all the trimmings if you have no service when you really need it.
I’d #SIMswap and give my old phones, useless cords, cases and accessories!
This is amazing Des! Great read 🙂 Might just have to look into this company! As for what I would swap, an old IPhone charger!
Would love a new phone! I’ll trade an old, broken phone charger (why is this still in my drawer?) #SIMSwap
If I won could I defer till I move? Cause I’d bet you anything “Canada Wide” does not include Eabametoong. 🙂
(I’d trade my expired health card.)
I would *love* all of this! I will trade in an old Samsung phone that I have no use for anymore and have no idea why I hung onto it (I just MOVED and I kept it, why?!)