Not very frugal, but we got cell phones...

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 06-26-2007, 01:18 PM

Ok, so it wasn't that frugal. Our land line was running $30/mo. And they had to have a box plugged in inside our home (phone lines over cable...even if you don't have cable TV!). I didn't have a clue what kind of power it was using...but all the little lights were bright at night when trying to sleep...and all the cords were awful looking!

Anyway, Dh will be taking a heavy course load (college) this fall and has a weird schedule with long hours. So, we decided he should have a cell phone so we'd have a way to contact each other... We looked at the prices and a cell phone for him and our land line is about the same as cell phones for both of us and no land line.

So, we switched it! I've never been without a land line and am a bit nervous... But, I think it's good.

Our land line was thru the cable company (only 2 choices here and that was the cheaper one) and since it was over the cable lines with that box inside, if the power went out there was only an 8 hour back up...after that...would be without phone. I didn't like that idea at all (we have power outages at least a couple times a year here).

Ok, just had to 'get it off my chest'... We haven't had cell phones since '01!! I have no clue how to use this! hahahahaha

**MarshHen** · 06-26-2007, 01:23 PM

DH and I both have cell phones and we are on a plan. He uses his all the times since he works shift work and drives so far each day. I only use mine for emergencies when I'm in the car. LOL, took me some time to figure mine out too. DD had to clue me in.

**lisettelovebug** · 06-26-2007, 01:34 PM

Good for you... We got rid of our digital phone a few months ago when we got rid of digital cable (we only have 2-13 now). It saved us over $80 a month. It was the best thing we did. We weren't using it enough anyways. We already had cell phones and get 400 minutes a month and runs us less than $75. Most of the time we do not use much of the minutes because we're either calling each other or using them on weekends.
Another perk... I know with Verizon all new cell phones have tracking on them so if you call 911 they can locate you.
Lisette

**Jenna** · 06-26-2007, 02:30 PM

We have to keep the land line. We don't get clear reception on our cell phones due to our location. We live around hills.

**Mom23boys** · 06-26-2007, 03:04 PM

I don't know what our family did before cell phones. We are one of those families that "think" we need them to function. We have them in case of power outages because our land lines are cordless and plug into an eletrical outlet, so we wouldn't be able to phone in the power outage without them. They are great for when DH travels on business. We can keep in touch free because it is mobile to mobile. DS#2 has one because he started driving in January alone and I don't like the idea of him stranded somewhere, so he carries his with him in his car. DS#3 also has one so we will know when to pick him up from sporting events when he has to ride the bus. He has also come in handy when I need to call him at a friend's house. For all 4 phones we pay a little over $80 a month with verizon.

DS#1 has one, but isn't on our plan. It comes in handy because that is how we keep in touch with him since he is station in NC.