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My problems with Verizon have not been solved, but after experimenting, I have been using the following techniques to keep my data under 20 Gigs per month.

1) I downloaded the Facebook application and use it almost entirely on my cell phone. I can browse and post photos for a long time and hardly use any bandwidth that way. I also check this forum using my phone as often as I can.
2) I use public WiFi in campgrounds where it is free using the WiFi booster I bought. It does not increase the poor speed in commercial campgrounds that provide free internet, but it does really help find and keep a signal.
3) I use my iPhone 5 as a tethered hotspot when I can't get free WiFi. (I found that using it wireless is really slow and might allow someone to use my signal.) Tethering the phone to my computer and setting it as tethered only means no one else but me can use it so good security, and the speed is much better. As long as I have 2 or 3 bars of 4 LTE service, I get fairly fast and reliable internet this way and it uses maybe 1/5 as much bandwidth as does my jetpack. Even uploading photos is fast this way. The problem with the phone is that it does not work very well with only 3G service.
4) When I have very poor cell service, I use my jetpack. There are also times I have to use the jetpack to view student presentations live. It uses a lot of bandwidth, but other solutions just don't give me a good enough signal.

I am still going to track the times I use the new jetpack and possibly add my old jetpack to my "family" plan for $20 a month. I swear it did not use as much bandwidth. This assumes I can get it fixed.

Another thing that came up is that I agreed to teach a third class in the fall. This means I will be working what is basically a 3/4 time job, so I may end up going up to 30 Gig, which is absurd, but I want to keep my job because the money is nice so I need reliable service. I will still be using techniques 1-3 to conserve bandwidth.

Wow Judy.....three classes. I do not envy you. That sounds like a heavy work load but I am sure you will enjoy parts of it and you only have to commit one session at a time. You will be ready for a vacation after you turn in the grades.

Judy.. I'm glad you could solve part of your problem... I'm more or less I'm trying the same thing... Not much free service around this neck of the woods... But when I get back to Florida there will be plenty... And I will be using it!..., I also use my cell phone for checking Facebook and this form... And looking things up but its really slow I need a new phone... One thing I would like to know though how do you tether your phone... To your computer and use it as a hotspot... Do you have to pay for this service?...., I have unlimited data on my phone So I'm thinking maybe I should go that way even if I have to pay... Not sure what to do Any of your advice will be helpful And appreciated.... Thanks...donna

I have been dealing with the same thing with Verizon data. I have an iPhone and a MiFi jet pack which is used for both the laptop and the IPad. Data is shared by the two devices. By experimenting, I have figured out that it is not all Verizon's fault...it is the devices themselves which are constantly updating email, Facebook (big offender), location for several APs, etc.

By experimenting I have discovered I can turn off cellular data use for APs individually and just turn it on when I want to use it. I only need to check my email once or twice a day, and don't need to be notified every time there is a new one. (Notifications is another big data eater) Same thing with FB....sign out and turn off data for it when not using it.

It's a pain but so far this month I have only used 3 g of data compared to the 14g I was up to, and that is with the blog posts and pictures that I thought was the culprit.

I keep all cellular data turned off on the iPhone when I just need it as a phone, and only turn it on when I use it for directions, etc. if I am using the IPad to read a book or play a game, I don't need the wifi/data turned on.

Still experimenting, and if had to do a lot of searching to find how to turn off notifications, auto video play, etc., but so far it's working.

I use Verizon through a third party, Millenicom. I am on the "unlimited plan" and can connect up to 5 devices at one time to my MiFi JetPack. I don't get any notification about how much data I use. Frequently I have two systems on and have been known to have four running. My MiFi is 4G backward compatible to 3G. I pay $90 a month.

I have a USB device that is available to be used with Millenicom only for anyone for anyone that would be interested. I don't know what the monthly cost would be. You would need to check with Millenicom about that. I do know when I had it the cost was $30. I don't remember the data amount, but it was never a problem for me. You would need to check that and also see if it is 4/3G or just 3G. I got an iPad and the USB no longer was a preference for connecting.

My cell phone is only used as a phone. I don't do data on it at all.

I just looked up the millenicom website...
http://millenicom.com/support/
I may check into this myself cause for the same money I'm spending now I can get 20g as compared to 4 I'm paying for now.
I do fine on 4 but if I had 20, I could do more research and watch one of my shows I miss on tv.

I will almost certainly switch to Millenicom when my current contract is up.

Donna, I have an iPhone 5, but I think you can do it with an iPhone 4 or other smart phones. The charger cord that comes with the phone can be unattached from the plug that goes into the wall. That gives you one end that you plug into the phone as usual, and a second end which is a USB end that you plug into your computer.

Here is how mine works: Under Settings, there is a Personal Hotspot page. I turn it on and it asks me if I want to "Turn on WiFi and Bluetooth" or just "USB only." I select "USB only" because that means I only get my signal over the cord, but it also means no one else can "snag" a signal and use it!! Good security because it is a direct connection. It is also faster than the using it wireless via either Bluetooth or WiFi.

I use a ton of data and really could use an unlimited plan. Like today, I have to go online to both of my two classes and change page numbers for the new textbook in one class, and move a ton of things from one week to another in the other. I have to change each week's announcement, overview with readings and weekly objectives, and such. Then I have to update assignments with new due dates and new content. This semester is especially bad because one new textbook and another class redesigned for the classroom by dept chair, which means I need to make my online class match as much as possible. More to it than you think.

And if I don't get it right, I will be getting emails and phone calls during the semester from the 75 students I will be teaching, so need to get it right now and save myself some grief.

And Bird-by-bird, no vacations between semesters at the college I teach at--except for two weeks at Christmas. I am still finishing the last semester and need to turn in grades on the 18th. Need to open new semester on 22nd. However, the money over the years helped pay for things when I was first divorced many years ago and broke, it paid for some of my kids college expenses, and now it is paying for my motorhome and part of my travel expenses. I am VERY grateful to this college for treating me well over the years.

Judy, don't you need to enter a password to use the device as a hotspot? I know I need to with AT&T - and it's quite secure if you make it a good password. Verizon, in the past, had problems with that in that you couldn't change the password - but I believe you have that option now. I, too, usually only tether for my computer, but I use the hotspot for my other devices. It's quite secure.

Yes, you need a password if you are using it as a wireless hotspot. I keep a password on my phone all the time, so I cannot even open it without a password.

However, I am attaching my phone to my computer with a USB cable, so there is nothing out there for someone else to even see. All the data goes by USB cable from my phone to the laptop directly. I have not used the phone hotspot for any other devices. And when I am done with my laptop, I turn off the hotspot function on my phone.

Any password device can potentially be hacked, which is why they tell you to change passwords often.

Also, I am NOT a believer in the "Cloud" so I never back my phone up to anything but my laptop, and I back my laptop up only to external hard drives, one of which is stored in my safety deposit box and another in my son's gun safe in Ohio. Only weak spot is that I don't have a safe in my RV, but I do hide my external hard drive very well.

Saw something on the news recently about excess data usage. Wish I'd paid more attention. It was about "automatic start" or some such thing. It said you should turn this off if your phone had it.

Had another irritating phone call with Verizon today because last person I talked to promised to remove last month and next month fees for international roaming and didn't. I insisted they send me corrected bill which they did. Cannot trust them.

Also last week used jetpack for 50 minutes to answer college email, respond to a few posts, view and post a couple of text-only on Facebook, and read several CNN articles. No uploading files or watching video. Used 1.2 Gig!!!! I have been doing similar on tethered phone and using .3 gig or less. Amazing.

Going into corporate store in Napa and will try to get old jetpack fixed. Am also going to get a spare of old model on eBay. They sell for only about $20. Who cares if they are used.

I have bought 2 used cell phones online. I don't remember how long the first one lasted but the one I'm using now is almost a year old. They came with new batteries and a charger. The local stores want $35 for just a new battery. I'm tired of the games these companies play. I won't be buying a new phone when I can get a used one for 1/5 the price and I don't have to extend my contract.

Martha

Glad to hear that has worked out for you, Martha.

The older I get, the less patient I get with this garbage. I literally end up yelling at the people on the phone, and I am normally a pretty easy-going person. It does not help my blood pressure to yell, but I end up doing it anyway. The tech people who kept insisting I must be downloading a bunch of videos really made me furious. Do they think I am lying or am a complete idiot and don't know what a video is????

A year ago, I priced a 12 volt charger for my old cell phone at Verizon for $29 and then found one at Target in that department right inside the door where things are usually $1. Cost for a 12 volt charger with two different plugs on the end was $3. Also found them in Walgreen's so I will never pay the high prices again. I ended up buying three in case I lost one and then gave one to each of a couple of friends of mine.

Don't know if you are contracted with Verizon but ATT has an offer to double the data amounts if you currently are buying 10 Gigs or more on one of their "share plans" with no increase in price. May be worth looking into if you can change carriers.