Perhaps a networkers most important tool...

Perhaps a networkers most important tool is their PHONE! Traditional networking demands it - with the need for follow-up to prospects and the use of 3-way calls, expect to spend literally thousands of minutes on the phone each month! How do you keep from generating out-of-control phone expenses? Well, you should begin by selecting an "unlimited minutes" plan. I have been a fan of Verizon for years now as (and most would agree) they have the best network - with both great coverage and great reliability. That said, I am likely to change providers very soon...

My current charges (for unlimited minutes, unlimited texting and a broadband access card for my pc) are $180/month and with taxes, it usually clocks in at about $220/month. So...there is *certainly* room for improvement!

Step aside Verizon - here comes WALMART!!! Yes, Walmart has decided to move into the phone provider biz and they're doing it the way they always do - as the low price leader. The service is called "straighttalk" (www.straighttalk.com) and you'll be able to get a phone with UNLIMITED minutes, texting, AND data - thats right folks, DATA - that means INTERNET/Web usage for....$45.00/month! (Can you hear that giant sucking sound as people leave other providers to rush to StraightTalk?) oh, and there are NO contracts to sign!

The BEST part is...you still get to use the Verizon cell tower network as that is who StraightTalk/Walmart is using! Gizmodo just posted an article on this service on 10/14. If you get the service, let me know how it works. It will be available on 10.18 and I may become one of the first adopters w/ a querty-phone they sell for $100.