NEW CELL PHONE FOR $1.98 WITH NO NEW CONTRACT!

I've never paid for a cell phone since I signed my first contract with AT&T.  At the time I really wanted the razr v3 by Motorola but I didn't want to pay for it.  So when AT&T offered me a free razr phone, I signed up.  Since that time, every two years I got a new phone free when I renewed my contract.  Sadly, as much as I love AT&T (one of my longest held dividend stocks), this time around they just didn't have a phone to suit my needs.  I know smart phones are all the rage, but I just don't see the need to have everything on my phone.  I have a Kindle Fire, an ipod touch and a couple of computers so I don't feel any need for Internet access on my phone.  As for text messaging, I've never seen the point.  If you call my cell phone, which I almost always have with me, I'll most likely answer it and you can tell me whatever you want to communicate without having to type it out on a small keypad.  If I don't answer, leave me a voicemail.  I personally feel no need to bother with texting. 

Having said all that, what I do want is sleek stylish design, preferably a flip or slider phone that's thin and tough enough to hold up when I carry it around in my pocket.  A big plus for me is long battery life, not because I use my phone excessively, but more because I don't want to be charging it up every time I turn around.

Considering all this, I came to the conclusion that I'd be happy with a new razr phone.  While I couldn't find the razr v3 on AT&T's website, I did find it on Amazon.com.  I bought an unlocked U.S. version in blue.  I had enough left on a gift card from Christmas to almost pay for the phone, so my only out of pocket expense was $1.98.  Even if I'd had to pay the full price of $49.98 it wouldn't have been much over the upgrade fee from AT&T and I didn't have to sign a new two year contract.