So what's the biggest money-waster?
Sept. 26, 2011—Some people may prize a solid-gold cell phone, but not members of the CUB Action Network. They chose the $60,000 handset as THE worst on CUB's list of the worst wireless money-wasters.

"Sixty grand for a cell is a bit absurd," said one respondent. Added another: "This is such a waste of money. I would like to see funds collected for this item donated to charity to help with energy bills for the less fortunate."

Last week, CUB gave its list of the top five money-wasters:

- A $60,000 solid gold cell phone;
- A $1,000 "I am rich" iPhone app that doees nothing but give you a daily mantra;
- A "Hold On" app that tests how long you can hold down a button on the screen;
- A wrist cell-phone carrier;
- The "Cell-Mate, a head gear that allows you to drive or do the dishes while you talk on the phone.
We asked people to pick what they thought was the biggest waste of money, and we promised to enter all those who answered the survey in a drawing. The grand prize? A brand new "Cell-Mate!"

Donald G. Moore of Belleville won the drawing. He was among the 41 percent of respondents who picked the solid-gold cell phone as the biggest waste of money. Despite its $60,000 price tag, the phone had no apps, no Internet access and no e-mail.

The $1,000 app that did next to nothing was a close second, at 35 percent. "If you are really 'rich,' buy an island," wrote one respondent. "Don't need to buy a stupid iPhone app to remind you."

The "Hold On" app was third (18 percent), followed by the "Cell-Mate" (4 percent) and the wrist carrier (2 percent.)

When notified of his win, Moore chuckled—"first time I've ever won anything." But the 81-year-old Air Force and Post Office retiree didn't have much use for his grand prize. He expected to give the Cell-Mate to his grandson. "I don't talk that often on the telephone," he said.

The long-time CUB member may have been ambivalent about the Cell-Mate, but not about the consumer group. "I think CUB's doing a helluva job," he said.

Remember to use CUB's Cellphone Saver to make sure your bill is free of money-wasters. CUB's free service has shown consumers how to save an average of more than $300 a year.