Airvoice Wireless results - Day 2

Yesterday's switch to Airvoice was seamless and painless for my phone because my iPhone was not 'carrier locked'. Son3's phone was still locked by our previous carrier, and after a call to their customer support to get it unlocked, I'm waiting for an email with instructions (it's supposed to be in my inbox within 72 hours).

Son3's phone has been a bit tricky. TIP: before you do this, back up ALL your smartphones (not just yours).

Airvoice's customer service has been phenomenal to deal with - for a $10/month cell plan company, I was a little surprised... but the folks on the phone really know their stuff.

I've sent only two (2x) text messages via SMS, and after each, the phone shows me a popup that shows me my remaining balance from the $10 plan. Same for phone calls - had 1 call to T-Mobile customer service about my sons locked phone, and another to my son. Remaining balance after initial setup calls/texts: $9.44

I purchased the FreedomPop Photon hotspot device from eBay for under $30 - it should be here any day. There were also FreedomPop Platinum Photon 4G hotspots for sale for only a little more. From what I've read from other users, the FreedomPop service *IS FREE*, BUT... you have to put up with their attempts to get you to upgrade to a paid service.

But for half-a-gigabyte of FREE CELLULAR DATA each month, I can put up with the attempts (and fend them off).

After making all these monthly service changes in August, I re-ran my Financial Independence spreadsheet, and see the monthly budget is not only lower, but it means I'll have enough in my FU 'stache' to be FI in only 3 years (2 years sooner than planned)!

Now I'm looking into the IRA to Roth-IRA conversion ladder plan - annually convert some amount of my rollover IRA into my tax-advantaged Roth-IRA each year (paying any tax on the IRA earnings during the conversion). In 5 years, the amount of that converted capital can be withdrawn from the Roth-IRA (BEFORE I turn 59-1/2) with no penalty, and no tax. If I do this for the next few years, I'll be able to withdraw my living expenses from the Roth before turning 59-1/2, then after 59-1/2 withdraw normally from both the Roth and standard IRA accounts.

Today: Sounders match in the light rain. Call time 10:30am... Go Sounders!!