Hey, Corey, get a pre-paid cell phone

[question everything]

CNN has been promoting the "Black in America" program, airing segments within regular programs.

Yesterday Soledad O'Brien followed a young man, Corey something, in his search of a job. She outfitted him with a hidden camera when he was interviewed (looking for signs of discrimination?)

At home, he lives with his girlfriend and her young daughter but he also has his own daughter from previous relations (I suppose).

But at the end she commented that he was going to lose his cell phone, which he needs for prospective employers to contact him.

And my immediate reaction was: get a basic pre-paid cell phone. It is a lot cheaper than the "plans" the cheapest are, what - $30 a month?

And use it sparingly. Don't text, don't gab just to "stay connected."

I wish that Soledad suggested it.

[On the Road]

1. If You're Using it Regularly to Find a Job

a pre-paid phone can be a lot more expensive, since the charges per minute are so high. Plus the numbers are not portable, and all the contact info you've given out is suddenly no good. Losing cell phones is a legitimate problem for unemployed people like that.