Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 1, 2026 REMEMBERS | FROM PAGE 1 eryone, all the time. That’s what he did and we were so blessed to have him with us.” Simonelli recounted that Wayne Martineau was a mentor and assisted others in so many ways, despite dealing with challenges and tragedies in his own family, with the loss of cherished children and others. Wayne was a dear friend of the late Malden Babe Ruth Baseball icon Bob Rotondi, who passed away in 2024, and was a daily visitor and aide to Bob when he most needed help at home. “I’m going to miss him so much, I already do,” Simonelli said, just a day after his passing. “He did so much in this city for so many people. We will all miss him.” *** A funeral for Wayne Martineau was held from the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, Malden on Monday followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Wayne’s life in Sacred Hearts Church, Malden. Interment was in Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden. Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Low-Cost Smartphone Plans for Budget-Minded Seniors Dear Savvy Senior, What are the absolute lowest-cost smartphone plans for seniors who mainly talk and text but need a little cellular data for email and occasional use? I’m currently paying $40 a month and hoping to cut that down. --Looking to Save Dear Looking, You’re asking a smart question. Many seniors pay far more for smartphone service than they actually use. If most of your phone activity is calls, texts, email, and light web browsing, there’s usually no need to spend $40 or more a month. The good news: plenty of low-cost carriers now cater to light users who want reliable service without the extra cost. The cheapest plans today mostly come from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) – smaller carriers that lease coverage from major networks like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Because they don’t run their own towers, MVNOs can offer basic service for a fraction of the cost of major carriers, while still providing nationwide coverage. Here are some of the best options available now. Cheapest Wireless Plans According to Consumer Reports, Mint Mobile is a top value among low-cost smartphone plans. For $15 per month, you get unlimited talk and text plus 5 gigabytes (GB) of data. The catch: you pay for a full year upfront – $180 plus taxes – but for seniors comfortable paying annually, it’s a smart way to lock in savings. Mint runs on T-Mobile’s network and works with most unlocked phones. If you want a similar plan without the upfront commitment, T-Mobile Connect is worth a look. For about $15 per month, you get the same 5 GB of data and unlimited talk and text, with no contract and the flexibility to switch plans month to month. It’s an easy, low-commitment option on the same reliable T-Mobile network. For seniors who barely use their phone, Ultra Mobile’s PayGo plan is the absolute cheapest option right now. At just $3 per month plus fees, it includes 100 minutes, 100 texts, and 100 MB of data, with extra usage costing only a few cents per minute, text, or MB. It’s ideal for anyone who mainly needs a phone for emergencies, and it also runs on T-Mobile’s reliable network. Tello is another flexible option, with plans starting at $8 per month for 300 minutes, unlimited texts, and 2 GB of data. You can easily add more minutes or data in small, inexpensive increments, making it ideal for seniors who want control over their costs. Finally, US Mobile offers a plan starting at $10 per month (paid annually) for unlimited talk and text plus 4 GB of data. Simple, affordable, and straightforward, it’s a solid choice for seniors who want coverage without extra bells and whistles. Lifeline Program If your budget is especially tight, be sure to check into the federal Lifeline Assistance Program. Lifeline provides a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service. You may qualify if you receive benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), public housing assistance, or Veterans Pension. You may also qualify based on income alone if your household income is below 135 percent of the federal poverty level – currently $21,546 for one person or $29,214 for two. To learn more or apply, visit lifelinesupport.org. If approved, you can choose from participating providers in your area, and in some cases even apply the discount to service you already have, if your provider participates. Before switching plans, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the new carrier’s network. A quick compatibility check on the provider’s website can help ensure a smooth transition and keep your savings on track. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS BUYER1 Huynh, Thao Joshi, Anwesh BUYER2 Tran, Nang Moura, Jefferson De Souza Moura, Rebeca Silva Schleifman, Erica Beth Xu, Xiaoli SELLER1 Advent Rt Newman, Adrian Langelier, Brian A Mason, Matthew Wright Hynes, Leo Forbes, Marjorie A Hynes, Mindy S ~ OP-ED ~ Resident Offers City Officials Suggestions Regarding City Budget To The Malden City Council and Mayor Christenson, I have sat through many council meetings and listened to several of you justify your decisions by referencing your personal lives and the realities you face at home. Today, I am asking you to hold yourselves to that same standard—because this is mine. On February 20, 2025, I unexpectedly lost my husband. There was no life insurance. His 401(k) had been spent helping his son get sober—a decision I stand by. I applied for Social Security survivor benefits and was denied because of my income. At that point, I had no choice but to face reality and make hard decisions. I cut out anything that wasn’t essential. I moved money around just to maintain basic stability. Projects I wanted were put on hold indefinitely, while necessary repairs were financed through an equity line. And through all of it, I made sure the fundamentals covered my mortgage, insurance, healthcare, and providing a home for my mother who lives with me. None of these decisions were easy. Some of them I didn’t want to make. But they were necessary— and I made them anyway. And I know I am not alone. Many residents in this city are doing the exact same thing every day. So as you approach these budget discussions, I am asking—no, expecting—you to do the same. Prioritize what truly matters. Fund public safety at the levels required to keep our community protected. Stop allocating money to projects that are not essential to the city’s core infrastructure. If capital improvements are necessary, then plan responsibly set funds aside or finance them over time. But stop spending money we do not have and stop spending on things we do not need. OFFERS | SEE PAGE 12 Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. SELLER2 Carozza, John G Parik, Katrina ADDRESS 22 Porter St 65 Central Ave 173 Howe St 118 Avon St 46-A Wentworth Ter CITY Malden Malden Malden Malden Malden DATE 04.10.26 04.10.26 04.10.26 04.10.26 04.08.26 PRICE 910000 969500 875000 835000 825000
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