Millennials are full of adorable contradictions.

They’re the generation responsible for selfies, and smartphone addiction.

They’re more educated than previous generations, yet having a harder time getting a job, chasing Pokemons instead of careers. More millennials are living with their parents than any other generation, and postpone getting married or having kids.

Here’s another thing they postpone gracefully: getting their own phone plan. Turns out that parents are still paying their phone bills even if the young adults are off to college or even until they get married.

A study confirms that around 53% of adults in their 20s and 30s still linger on the same phone plan they’ve been on since high school. Yup, phone bills are the most common bills that are picked up by parents for their kids that haven’t been living with them for a while.

Reluctant to change: Why so many millennials leave their parents’ house, but not their family plan?

According to Mel Magazine, “Nearly half of all smartphone owners with adult children over the age of 18 say their kids are still on their cell phone plan. And many of these parents still foot the bill, even though their kids can afford to pay their own way now.”

The simple truth is that back in the day, it used to be cheaper and it was a win-win for everyone. Nowadays, the plan and the idea itself grandfathered into another way to support kids. With so many affordable options out there, it’s clear that this type of attachment has nothing to do with money. It’s about a sense of belonging. Of family unity.

A bone of contention

The fact that so many millennials are still on their parents’ family plan can easily become a bone of contention. Paying your own phone bills is a sign of self reliance, independence and maturity, leaving behind the “little girl/boy” of the house.

Others don’t even know how much their parents are paying for their cell phone bill. That can be a sore point as well and cause a bit of tension during family dinners.

Another big deal is the fact that young adults have their plate full these days and can’t afford another huge bill. Between paying off student loans, rent and a hint of a social life, there’s not much left. Not many people can stretch a dollar quite like 20 something-year-olds. That’s why relying on one’s parents seems like a good idea “for now”, according to a lot of millennials.

Making change easier

Their phone and paired with the life-saving data that comes with it are a major part of the reality of every millennial. They’re an extension of their personality, social status and, in many cases, of their job.

That is why so many people admit to feeling ashamed to still be on their parents’ phone plan. Good news: Looking for solutions that don’t cost an arm and a leg, that give them a bit of dignity and keeps parents happy is easier than it used to be.

In the good ol’ days, buying a flagship device meant a financial effort for the entire family. Thus, 2-year contracts made a lot of sense. They were the solution. Yet, nowadays, lock-ins like contracts, termination fees or other extreme measures are seen as an exception, and not the rule, as so many young people appreciate the freedom to choose.

Affordable No-contract carriers, the first step towards financial independence

MVNOs like Tello Mobile understand the need to adapt to the fast-changing needs of today and have a millennial-friendly approach to wireless. No contracts, no surprise fees and no predefined phone plans. Self-sufficiency must-haves for a millennial approved carrier.

🥑 How Tello Mobile Beats the big 4 & other MVNOs at Customer Satisfaction

Leaving the family plan & switching to an affordable carrier means savings both ways. Parents might save up for that trip or new BBQ they’ve always wanted to have, and young adults can finally get a phone plan without panicking over yet another bill to pay.

Figuring out what you use on a monthly basis, how much access to Wi-Fi you have and what you can actually afford is a natural step into adulthood decisions regarding wireless. Fortunately, with prepaid phone plans, one can pay for what one needs and nothing else. For e.g,  millennials can get:

🔶 1GB + unlimited talk & text for just $10/mo

🔶 2GB + unlimited talk & text for just $14/mo

🔶 4GB + unlimited talk & text for just $19/mo

🔶 12GB + unlimited talk & text for just $39/mo

Remember, life begins out of your contract zone! The data options above can be paired with a smaller amount of minutes, and thus the prices go even lower. For e.g., 1GB of data + 300 minutes & unlimited text for just $8/mo.

🥑 How Much Data Do You Need?

Research the available plan options and choose the best for you and your lifestyle. Look for freebies like free tethering, upgrade/downgrade without any additional cost, unlimited text and international calls included. Making smart choices with your money, doesn’t make you cheap and saving on your cell phone plan might even make your mom proud!