Which Plan is Best for You?

The price wars are on, and no matter which service provider you have, it's a good time to check out your options. Your choice of plan should depend on what kind of cell-phone user you are.

GLOVE COMPARTMENT You need a phone in your car or handbag for emergencies but probably won't use it much.

Monthly plans start at $20, but if you use the phone very infrequently, it may be cheaper to buy prepaid calling cards. The best deals: AT&T; Wireless's $10 card, good for 45 days, and Cingular's $20 card, with a shelf life of 90 days. Either way the cost works out to $6.70 a month.

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Your cell phone is your lifeblood; you can't live without those night and weekend minutes.

At AT&T; Wireless, Cingular and Sprint PCS, $50 is the going...

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