Basic monthly fee

The more minutes of calling time or the broader the calling area, the higher the basic fee. Fees range from about $30 for regional plans offering only a couple hundred minutes of calling time to almost $200 for a nationwide plan with unlimited calling. Decide how much you can afford to spend each month, then look for the biggest bucket of minutes at that price.

Home calling area

This is the territory where you can dial calls without incurring roaming charges. Roaming, if it applies, costs 50 to 80 cents per minute. A national calling plan, with no roaming or long-distance charges, is the right choice for many people.

Anytime minutes

Also called peak minutes, these apply when rates are highest, typically during weekday daylight hours. Expect to pay 25 to 45 cents per minute if you exceed your allotment of anytime minutes. When comparing plans, go for the one with the larger number of anytime minutes even if it means paying a higher monthly fee, to minimize what you might spend for extra minutes.