How One Family Saved $360 Per Year on Their Daughter's First Phone Plan

Getting your kid their first phone is a big milestone.

One Goji user wanted an affordable way to stay in touch with their daughter without paying for an expensive unlimited phone plan.

When it came time to activate an old iPhone 13 they already owned, the obvious option was adding another line to their existing T-Mobile family plan.

Then they looked at the price.

Instead of paying about $45 per month for another unlimited line, they chose Mint Mobile Kids for $15 per month.

That's a savings of $30 every month, or $360 every year, for a phone that barely leaves Wi-Fi.

Here's how they made the decision.

Their Setup

Instead of buying a brand-new phone, they reused an older iPhone 13 they already owned.

That kept their upfront costs low and let them focus on finding the right phone plan.

Why They Didn't Just Add Another Line

This is probably what most parents do.

You're already paying for your own phone plan, so adding another line feels like the easiest option.

But "easy" isn't always "cheapest."

Since they were already on a premium T-Mobile family plan, adding another unlimited line would have cost about $45 per month.

The problem?

Their daughter hardly uses cellular data.

Most of the time she's:

• At home on Wi-Fi
• At school
• Using her Apple Watch instead of her phone
• Only carrying the phone for emergencies or certain activities

Paying for a premium unlimited plan simply didn't make sense.

The Two Things That Mattered Most

According to the Goji user, the decision came down to just two things.

1. Cost

They wanted the least expensive option that still came from a reputable company.

Growing kids are expensive enough.

If they could save hundreds of dollars every year without giving up anything important, why wouldn't they?

2. Coverage

Coverage mattered because not every network works well where they live.

In their area, T-Mobile has by far the strongest service, so they only considered carriers that use T-Mobile's network.

That included:

• Mint Mobile
• Tello
• US Mobile (on T-Mobile)

Why They Picked Mint Mobile Kids

At the end of the day, Mint Mobile Kids checked every box.

The biggest reason?

$15 per month is incredibly hard to beat.

But they also liked that:

• Signing up was simple.
• Managing the account online has been easy.
• AutoPay works without any headaches.
• Mint is a well-known brand, so they weren't worried about reliability.

There weren't any special "kids features" that convinced them.

Apple's built-in Family settings already let parents manage:

• Screen time
• App downloads
• Content restrictions
• Communication limits

For this family, the phone plan just needed to provide service.

One Year Later

Their daughter has been using the plan for almost a year.

According to the family, it has been exactly what they hoped for.

They haven't had any surprises.

The coverage has been reliable.

Managing the account has been easy.

Since their daughter still rarely uses the phone, they haven't needed anything more expensive.

One Thing They Might Change

If they were shopping today, they said they might also consider Tello's 2GB plan, which starts around $8 per month.

Because their daughter spends so much time on Wi-Fi and doesn't really use mobile data, they probably don't even need all of the data in the plan.

That's one of the nice things about prepaid carriers.

It's easy to switch later if your needs change.

Their Advice to Other Parents

The biggest mistake they see parents make is assuming they need to add another line to their family plan.

Sometimes that's the right decision.

But a lot of parents are already paying for premium unlimited plans.

Adding another premium unlimited line can easily cost $30 to $45 per month, even with family discounts.

If your child mostly:

• Uses Wi-Fi
• Isn't streaming videos all day
• Just needs a phone for communication

There are plenty of prepaid plans that cost under $30 per month.

It only takes a few minutes to compare your options, and the savings can add up quickly.

If you're shopping today, it's also worth noting that Mint Mobile is currently offering any plan for $15/month for new customers. Depending on your family's needs, that promotion may make it worth comparing both Mint Kids and Mint Mobile's regular plans before deciding.

The Biggest Lesson They Learned

Getting your child's first phone doesn't have to mean adding another expensive line to your family plan.

For this Goji user, keeping things simple worked best.

They reused an older phone.

They picked the least expensive plan that had the coverage they needed.

And nearly a year later, they haven't regretted the decision once.

Sometimes the smartest phone plan isn't the one with the most features.

It's the one that fits how your family actually uses it.

FAQ

Is Mint Mobile Kids worth it?

If T-Mobile has good coverage where you live and your child doesn't need a premium unlimited plan, Mint Mobile Kids can be an excellent value at $15 per month.

Is it cheaper to add a child to a family plan?

Not always. Many major carriers charge $30–$45 per month for an additional line. Depending on your needs, a prepaid plan may cost much less.

Does Mint Mobile Kids include parental controls?

No. Mint Mobile doesn't provide unique parental control features, but iPhones include Apple's Family settings, which let parents manage screen time, app downloads, and communication limits.

What's the best phone plan for a child's first phone?

It depends on your child's usage and the coverage in your area. If they mostly use Wi-Fi, an affordable prepaid plan can often provide everything they need without paying for unlimited data.