Going without a phone

[josephbales]

I've decided to get rid of my cell phone plan and go completely without a land line. My only access to a phone will be through Google Voice which allows me to make free domestic calls through my computer. It also has voicemail and text messaging. I'll be keeping the (cheap) cell phone just in case I need to dial 911 (it is my understanding that all cell phones in the US must be able to call 911, even if the service is not active).

Is anyone else doing this or just going cell phone free? I'd like to hear how it's working out.

[bjl584]

I use my phone for work, so I couldn't do it. It would be hard to be connected to society without a phone. For me, not being connected to society means a lot of lost opportunity. I couldn't do it.

[riverwed070707]

Not doing it but I think its great you are. Cell phones are definitely a big area of the budget that were once considered a luxury and most people now wouldn't dream of being without. Its not uncommon for people to come on here asking for advice on where to save and they have 10% of their take-home going toward a cell bill I also am a firm beliver that sometimes we need to just disconnect. If my job made it easier for me to be less connected, I'd consider it, but as an event planner, being able to reach people (and be reached!) is crucial.

[bill123]

I did almost the same thing. I have skype, but pay extra to get a real phone number for skype. This costs $2.99 per month for the skype phone service plus $16 to get a real phone number (I think, I pay for 1 year at a time).

What I do is have my google voice number forward to my skype number. Last I checked, you could not make calls with just google voice. Google voice had to route your calls to some other device (like landline or cell phone).

So for less than $5 per month I have home phone. If you get an Ipod touch, you can install google voice and skype on it. That allows you to make calls and text anyplace you have wifi access.

It works pretty well for what I need.

[maat55]

I could do without the cell, but I would need my land for my business. The cell comes in handy when I'm out on calls, but if necessary, I would eliminate it.

[hulegu3]

I wish I could go without my cell phone. I think I will be buried with it unfortunately.

[josephbales]

FYI, this is going well so far. I've gad a hard time justifying that $30-$70 per month I've been spending on a cell phone for the past 6 years. I rarely used the thing except for brief periods of high activity. Letting go was hard, but I think I can do this.

[feh]

Originally Posted by josephbales

FYI, this is going well so far. I've gad a hard time justifying that $30-$70 per month I've been spending on a cell phone for the past 6 years. I rarely used the thing except for brief periods of high activity. Letting go was hard, but I think I can do this.

If it's just the price that's the problem, there are cheaper options. I use a prepaid cell phone; comes out to about $7 per month.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by feh

If it's just the price that's the problem, there are cheaper options. I use a prepaid cell phone; comes out to about $7 per month.

Ditto on that. I was thinking the same thing. There are tons of companies that offer prepaid plans that work out to, as feh said, a few dollars a month.

[bennyhoff]

I am doing the same, though I have a phone number via my magic jack subscription. I just finshied my first year with it, and while its not perfect, its close enough for me. I figure savings of close to $300 for the year. And for a cell phone I also go with the prepaid service which comes in at under $10 / month. Hard to believe 10-15 years ago I was suffering with my now ex wife spending $200/month just on long distance calls. If only I could have invested that money .

[tan fish]

I've never gone completely without a phone but I recently purchased a tracfone, which is working well for me. My previous phone was also a no contract phone from Virgin, but the tracfone costs will hopefully be even cheaper.

For me, its a safety issue. In those situation when I am away from a computer or wireless, say on the road, and absolutely need a phone due to a car mishap or something similar, I still have one to rely on.

[baconexplosion]

Kudos to you for ditching the cell phone! Most people can't live life without the blasted things. I find, the less electronics I have in my life, the easier things become...

[beth_williams]

That is really admirable! I bet it will be very liberating to be phoneless.

[Shewillbemine]

My phone is my work and my work pays for my phone. So, no, I can't get rid of it.

[henrywilliams]

Gadgets such as window mobile phone, smart phone, tabs etc are not only used for entertainment as well as used for office work also. IPhone, iPod touch and iPad these are some new generation gadgets with latest techniques.

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Mobile Phone Insurance

[gogirlanime]

There are companies and funds that can give you a very basic phone for free if you qualify. Or maybe get a pre-paid phone for emergencies or if you really need to talk to someone. You never know when your car will break down in a random spot and you're not near anything. But I congratulate your for going without one, if you can do it thats awesome.

[glycemic]

If I was still in my early 20's and single I'd give it a go.

With a family though no way. Too many other responsibilities and outages/fault points that are introduced with VOIP and internet based audio services or cell. A lot of people do now though. Just not on my risk profile to do it!

[madworld25]

I am ashamed to admit that I couldn't imagine life without a cell phone. Apart from the occasional phone call or text message, I mostly just use mine to watch updates on facbook news feed...sad, I know. Major cudos to those living the smarter life and not paying for ridiculous cell phone plans!

[2bfrugal]

People have done it for 6000 years.
In our community (lots of Amish and old order Mennonites) many have no phones, but do have a message number--someone one can call and leave a message with-sort of a human answering machine.

[kv968]

Originally Posted by feh

If it's just the price that's the problem, there are cheaper options. I use a prepaid cell phone; comes out to about $7 per month.

I do the same thing with a pay-as-you-go plan. I was spending $32/month (with employer discount) for the minimum package and came nowhere close to using the minutes provided. Now I put $30 on my phone every 3 months and don't even use all of that. I just keep rolling them over.