Like to think I'm reasonable.  My phone was free (as advertised) when it was upgraded from the last phone that took a dump.  The wifes phone actually costed $50 bucks or so since it was higher on the ladder.  But as of recent the charger cable have started acting up and a car charger cost around $30 bucks from the carrier; and then a home (AC) charger is around another $30 bucks .  My friggen jumper cables didn't cost that much? Since we both have phones this could effectively cost around $120 bucks for the both of us.  Anyone see the logic here or am I officially a cheapskate?

There is very high margin on those. I work at XXXXXXXX and they are $35ish for a normal consumer and with my discount of 5% Above cost discount they are $2.80

Typically phones can be a loss for the company.  Its the monthly payment they survive.  Not phone sales.  They need to make that money up by selling add-ons...which are very high markup

The answer to both of your questions is yes.

Buy after-market cords they are much cheaper.

When I last upgraded mine, my agent gave me a car charger cord off of the shelf for free

check out ebay,paid $10 for mine  vs 30 from the store.

Because you are paying for the phone with higher plan rates.  Do you really think your phone is free or nearly so?  Even a crappy phone would be like $200 if you paid it's actual price.  The providers subsidise the price of the phone and make up their loss on the plan.  Accessories aren't subsidised like that.