There have only been a few things that have been really difficult to do that were permanent changes in my life from living in the USA to Mexico.
The latest happened today when I cancelled my US cellphone service which effectively ended my thirty year use of the number 713 502-8914. I had that service through a twenty year business and a twelve year life in Mexico. Sort of an identity.
Several factors caused me to make this change. The bill is now $71.83 a month with taxes and surcharges.
I decided I didn't need that cost any longer since I have a Vonage line at much, much less cost.
The phone service with the plan which allowed me to call the USA or within Mexico for a flat monthly fee has been grandfathered for many years. It was a great deal. Just not great enough anymore for me.
When I moved here in 2001 there was little cell phone service. Heck, the landline service was spotty. A huge change has taken place. I know I can get a prepaid Mexican cell phone for very little money to use when I'm traveling in Mexico. Maybe even in the USA, who knows?
With that intention today, I first tried closing the account online. I had to email back and forth with an agent who eventually asked me to call a 1 800 number in the USA. She said because of my age! they could do something for me.
After a 45 minute conversation with a gentleman in the Retention Dept. it was determined that all they could save me was $5 a month. Not worth it.
The phone has been turned off. Yikes! But, I still have my house landline and the Vonage # that I can be
reached on. Soon, I'll have a Mexican cell, maybe.
So, to my friends in the USA who have been calling me on the cell, call me on the Vonage. If you don't know that number, email me and I'll share it with you.
If you're interested in what the other things were that were so difficult for me to discontinue when I moved here, (1) was not renewing my licensing to stamp architectural plans, and (2) was selling my wonderful wood
drafting table. Those were work related. They were also a big part of my life.
One thing is for sure, life keeps changing. Day by day.
12 comments:
Change is good = progress
Rick, not sure about that. More like a financial necessity.
An old wooden drafting table... I would have loved to have that. I am currently looking different tables and they are all made of that "pressed wood" or metal. I like the feel of wood. I'll keep looking I guess...
The drafting table was given to me by a very talented architect when I first started out. It was so darn heavy that it took two men to move it, ever. I brought it down with books and art. Couldn't leave it behind. Finally gave it an architecture student at Univ of Leon. It was the table I could sit at with a drafting stool to create magic.
The end of an era.... I'll bet you won't miss the monthly charges though. Personally I find my Mexican cell quite sufficient. I really don't even use it much.
I'll get one soon. But, with FB, email, house line and Vonage - how many other ways would anyone need to reach me?
I probably only think of it cause I've had it for so long........
in response to writing from merida....babs' blog entry about her wooden drafting table and the magic carpet rides of concentration and inspiration that she took while working at that desk...well that was the entry that hooked me as a reader...probably 'bout 4 years ago.
Gosh Dana, how wonderful of you to share that info. The name of that post was "My Magic Carpet Ride" and the date was April 13, 2009.
Dana, I think I was in your neck of the woods while in Houston. Great area.
When I sold the house in February, I also cancelled my cell phone service in The States. My Mexican cell phone is now unlocked. When I head north, I merely switch out he SIM card, activate a T-Mobile account for the month, and I am set to go. And gone is my AT&T account for a telephone that only rang when I was north of the Rio Bravo.
Ahh, but since I had the North American plan it worked calling the USA from Mexico, calling locally in Mexico, calling Mexico from the USA and locally in the USA. That plan was short lived but I was grandfathered. Now with Vonage, I'll be fine. Hopefully when I get a Mexican phone or use my old Nokia with a new SIM card, I can switch back and forth. There is something called prepaid in the USA now and guess I'll do that when I'm up there.
And possible good things happening in the future for Mx phone svc. as there has been several articles about the current administration ordering an end to the Carlos Slim monopoly as well as some other monopolies in Mexico. It remains to be seen.
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