Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 5, 2022 avy eniiooravvy S iorn or avvyavy vvy io iori Cheap Basic Cell Phone Plans for Penny Pinching Seniors Ch Bi Cll by Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, A few months ago, I read a column you wrote on extremely cheap smartphone plans for budget-conscious seniors. Can you do a similar column for those of us who still use basic fl ip phones? My old 3G fl ip phone is about to become obsolete, so I’m looking for the cheapest possible replacement. I only need a simple cell phone (no data) for emergency calls when I’m away from home. Penny Pincher Dear Penny, For many seniors, like yourself, who only want a simple basic cell phone for emergency purposes and occasional calls, there are a number of super cheap plans available from small wireless providers you may have never heard of. Here are some of the best deals available right now. Cheapest Basic Plans For extremely light cell phone users, the cheapest wireless plan available is through US Mobile (USMobile.com), which has a “build your own plan” that starts at only $2 per month for 75 minutes of talk time. If you want text messaging capabilities, an extra $1.50/ month will buy you 50 texts per month. US Mobile runs on Verizon’s and T-Mobile’s networks and gives you the option to bring your existing phone (if compatible or unlocked) or purchase a new device, while keeping your same phone number if you wish. If your fl ip phone is becoming obsolete, as you mentioned in your question, you’ll need to buy a new device, which you can do through US Mobile if you choose their plan. They off er the “NUU F4L” fl ip phone for $39 for new customers. Or you can purchase an unlocked phone through retail stores like Walmart or Best Buy, or online. One of the best value fl ip phones right now is the (unlocked) “Alcatel GO FLIP 4044 4G LTE,” available at Amazon.com for $80. Some other super cheap wireless plans worth a look are Ultra Mobile’s “PayGo” plan (UltraMobile.com/PayGo), which provides 100 talk minutes, 100 texts for only $3 per month. And Tello’s (Tello.com) “build your own plan” that starts at $5 per month for 100 talk minutes and unlimited texting. Both Ultra Mobile PayGo and Tello also run on T-Mobile’s network and will let you use your existing phone (if compatible or unlocked) or buy a new one. Senior Targeted Providers In addition to these super cheap plans, there are several other wireless companies that cater to older customers and off er lowcost basic plans and simple fl ip phones. One of the least expensive is through TracFone (Tracfone.com), which off ers a 60-minute talk, text and web plan for $20 that lasts for 90 days. That averages out to $6.66 per month. Three other providers that are popular among seniors are Snapfon (Snapfon.com), which off ers a 100 minutes and unlimited texting plan for $10. Consumer Cellular (ConsumerCellular. com), which provides an unlimited talk plan or $15 per month. They also give 5 percent discounts to AARP members. And Lively (Lively.com), maker of the popular Jitterbug Flip2 senior-friendly fl ip phone. Their cheapest monthly plan is 300 minutes of talk and text for $15. Subsidized Plans You also need to know that if you’re on a government program such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income or food stamps/ SNAP. Or, if your annual household income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines – $18,347 for one person, or $24,719 for two – you might also qualify for free or subsidized wireless plans from various carriers via the federal Lifeline program. To fi nd out if you’re eligibility or apply, visit LifelineSupport.org. 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. OBITUARIES Patricia A."Patt"(Connell) Varzakis Of Malden. Passed peacefully on July 24, 2022at the age of 87. She was a lifelong resident of Malden. Daughter of the late Daniel and Rose Connell. Sister to the late Mary Connell. She leaves her son, James Varzakis and his wife Renelle Roy of Danvers, MA. Also her treasured neighborhood friends along with many work friends from her years at Massachusetts Electric/ National Grid in Malden. Services will be private. Please consider making a donation in Patt's memory to Northeast An- LEGAL NOTICE - PERMITS, INSPECTIONS & PLANNING SERVICES 215 Pleasant Street, 3nd City of Malden, Massachusetts Floor Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 397-7000 ext. 2044 MALDEN PLANNING BOARD and MALDEN CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Planning Board and Malden City Council Ordinance Committee will jointly hold a public hearing in the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, in accordance with Title 12, Chapter 32, Section 050 of the Code of the City of Malden, regarding petitions for zoning amendments, as proposed in City Council Papers ##286/2022, 315/2022, 316/2022, 317/2022, 318/2022 and 319/2022, to further amend the following sections of Title 12, Chapter 12, of the Code of the City of Malden, as follows: 1. To amend Use Regulations for Marijuana Establishments as follows: A. To change the special permit granting authority (Sections 12.12.010.A, 12.12.190, 12.12.190.B, 12.12.190.G, 12.12.190.G.4, 12.12.190.H and 12.28.010.E) (CCP 286/2022). B. For use of new buildings, to clarify the relief required for noncompliance with buffer zones, dimensional controls and parking requirements (Section 12.12.190.A); and for use of existing buildings, to clarify the relief required for violations of dimen sional controls and parking requirements, and to change the relief required for non compliance with buffer zones (Section 12.12.190.B) (CCP 315/2022). NOTE: The public hearing on August 16, 2022 re: CCP 315/2022 is contingent on the date of action and outcome of the pending reconsideration by the City Council of its referral of CCP 315/2022 to Planning Board for public hearing. C. To delete the principal use requirement (Section 12.12.190.E) (CCP 316/2022). D. To amend the required condition re: Security Plans (Section 12.12.190.H.2) (CCP 317/2022). E. To amend the required condition re: issuance of building permit and occupancy permit (Section 12.12.190.H.9) (CCP 318/2022). 2. For use of new and existing buildings for the following uses allowed by special permit, to amend the Use Regulations to clarify and update language to reflect current protocol and administration and render consistent with current interpretation re: relief required for noncompliance with dimensional controls and parking requirements (CCP 319/2022): A. Residential Uses, Except for All Structures More than Six Stories (Sections 12.12.010 .A1 and 12.12.010.A.2) B. Institutional, Business, Industrial and Other Uses (Sections 12.12.010.B.1 and 12.12.010.B.2) C. Property with a Preferably Preserved Building (Sections 12.12.010.C.1 and 12.12.010.C.2) D. Fast-food Service Restaurants (Sections 12.12.060.A and 12.12.060.B). E. Restaurants (Sections 12.12.070.A and 12.12.070.B). F. Drive-thrus (Sections 12.12.150.A and 12.12.150.B). G. Gasoline Filling & Service Stations (Sections 12.12.160.A and 12.12.160.B). The full texts of the proposed zoning amendments (City Council Papers ##286/2022, 315/2022, 316/2022, 317/2022, 318/2022 and 319/2022) are available for public review on the City of Malden website at https://cityofmalden.legistar.com/Legislation.aspx and with the City Planner, Inspectional Services, 3rd floor, and the City Clerk, 2nd Floor, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA. By: Kenneth Antonucci, Clerk Malden Planning Board By: Peg Crowe, Chair Malden City Council Ordinance Committee July 29, August 5, 2022 imal Shelter of Salem, MA. Colleen Martin Of Malden. Cherished sister of Maureen A. Furilla of Plymouth, Kathleen M. Darbe of N. Reading, Henry E. Martin of Malden, Daniel J. Martin of Malden, Eileen M. Uberti of Litchfi eld, NH, OBIT | SEE PAGE 22
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