Not me! Mine is in my purse for emergencies only. I never think to turn it on, but like having it in case my car breaks down.

I wouldn't want to be without one for emergency use (I drive by myself all the time), but I rarely use it otherwise.

I use mine mostly for emergencies but I do use the free nights and weekends since I have no long distance on my land line.

I was coming home from Tucson (70 miles of desert) one evening with Bobby who was then about 4. A red light on my dash came on to check engine. There was absolutely no place to stop for help and I had no cell phone. I turned off anything that wasn't necessary and continued to drive. I followed a mini van for 20 miles with no lights and it was getting dark. I prayed for a cop but none are ever around when you need them. As soon as I got to a place where I could phone my husband I turned into the driveway. When I did my car died and I coasted to a parking space. It ended up that it was my alternator.

It scared me to death to think of my car breaking down on that lonely stretch of road. You never know who is going to stop and if you can trust them. In this day and age very few people will take the chance to help someone who is broken down. The very next day I had me a cell phone and would never be without one again.

We have 4 phones on our plan, my DH our grandson and my father who is 87 years old. We have 500 minutes to use between us and we have never ever used all our minutes in a month.

I got my father a cell phone after his car got a flat tire on Aligator Alley in Florida. There is nothing out there and my dad was 84 at the time. He and my mother sat in the car for a couple of hours until a nice man in a business suit stopped and changed the tire for them. My Dad never wanted a cell phone but sure is happy to have the one I gave him and takes it everywhere he goes.

So as you can see cell phones aren't bad at all it just depends on how the person uses it. I hate to see all the kids 10 and under with cell phones. Bobby didn't get his until he was 14 and then we had parental control on it so he could only call 3 numbers and receive calls from those 3 numbers. I don't feel that people need to be talking on the cell phone all the time and I hate that they use it while driving.

I got a basic phone and plan. All my kids and my sister too are long distance calls. I do this to control costs and be able to enjoy frequent, long chats.

You aren't kidding. I didn't have for for about a week I Washed mine in the washing machine. It is on DS's plan and he wanted to switch from Sprint anyway. The last straw was when they told him we'd have to take the phone to Shreveport; about 190 mile round trip. to have it serviced (even under the insurance plan)
Have a nice Alltel one now and they are merging with Verizon too. My landline was full of static for over a week (just now got fixed) and you could hardly hear one another on it.

I don't have a cell phone and I don't feel deprived. After all, it is my choice.

My driving is within a 20 mile radius, and I don't drive at night. I did break down in my old car, but was near a home, and used their phone. (I have a better car now.)

I have prepaid MCI for long distance. Calls are 2.5¢ a minute.

Every body in my family does have cell phones though.

I just wish no one would use them while driving, and I don't think a law against that would be depriving any one of their freedom.

Sue

I would feel deprived. I'm not much of a phone calling person, but I love the fact that I can call my friends or family at any time and they can call me. I have caller ID and don't have to answer if I don't want to. It's very convenient.

With pay phones becoming obsolete I can't imagine my life without a cell phone. Like Nita I like using it for long distance calls and nites and weekends. I also agree with her about young kids and cells phones.

I only give out my number to people I know and they are in my phone so I know who is calling. Anyone else can leave a message.

My cell phone is my phone book, my connection to family,a voice recorder or a camera when I need one,a calculator, my notebook,my datebook,my watch and my alarm clock. I can even access email should I need to when traveling. I can send a picture to DH when shopping for a large purchase if I want his opinion. I can text my DS or DD when they're at work or in a meeting without disturbing them. When I pick up my friend at night I can call her as I arrive so she doesn't have to watch for me or wait outside in the dark. When we go places and want to go our separate ways for a bit (like when shopping)the push of one button lets us connect when we're ready to go.

All that in one slim little package I can slip into my pocket. Security wherever I go for around a $1.35 per day.

I used to think a cell phone was a leash and hated the whole concept. Was I wrong. It's a convenience for me.

DH and I have TracFone, much cheaper than the T-Mobile we had. they won't work in the Ocala National Forest here in FL, no kind will. So we have a land-line and can use the cells when we go up to Palatka. We also have one for my Mom. She is 80, so I consider them to be invaluable.
We tell her to take it everywhere with her, as it is very small and light-weight. We travel a lot. I used to think they were stupid, until we were 1300 miles from home and Mom went in the hospital and almost died. Now I wouldn't be without one.

JoanMN/FL

If I remember to put it in my purse, turn it on, yes I have a phone. Traveling, we also have On Star.

I can't imagine not having mine. It makes me feel much more secure to have it.

Claude and I got them after Ben had his seizures almost 2 years ago now. We wanted to make sure that we always had quick access to each other and to 911 if needed. We got a plan with only 300 minutes, plus we can call each other unlimited. Thank God we've not had any emergencies since, but we do call each other often daily, and we usually use up the 300 minutes as well.

It's very convenient.

I do dog fostering and from time to time would have to travel to get a dog or deliver an adopted one, so I got a Tracfone. Two years ago I was in FL for two months, when my mom got sick, and the Tracfone minutes were eating me alive. While I was there I finally got a real cell phone to stay in contact with SO, my brother and daughter. Now it's a way of life and a good way to stay in contact with family.

I didn't have a cell phone until I started working for my current employer. They gave me a phone and pay the bill so I'm good with it.

Now that I've had a cell phone for a couple years I'm not sure I could survive without one because I stopped wearing a watch when I got the phone and now I really don't want to ever wear a watch again. :-)

Jodi-

I have a cell phone. Jerry insisted upon it. He wants me to have one along on my bike rides (just in case... he says).

Some of my bike rides are very far from home, and once, I actually called him, and asked him to come and get me. He did.

I guess, hauling it around is worth it. But, I don't always have it on. Like the house phone, it is for my convenience, not for others to be able to reach me!

Moni

Here is a link that might be useful: Jerry rescued me here

i've had a personal cell since 1990 and work one since 1996 and could not go one single day w/o. i got one when i was in an accident on the dan ryan expressway in chicago coming home from college, it was 10pm on a wed night w/ a pile up accident and i waited 3 hrs to get out of there. cell phones were pretty scarce then, i had a huge exam the next a.m. very early and i swore i'd never have something like that happen again.

i have always had a cell for work and do need that 24/7 during our busy spring & fall shipping season. i am glad that we no longer use nextel direct connect GAWD they are AWFUL. our two personal phones run $70 (got rid of landline yrs ago) and for the peace of mind and ability to add ultra efficiency to our lives it's a bargain. ~ liz

I decided a few years ago that for less than $4 a month I'd try a cell and for the convenience and safety factor, I'm glad I did. I finally went Tracfone and it's cheap. Still less than $10/month and a lot of minutes for that (for me anyway). I recoup some when I'm out since I make fewer wasted trips by making a quick call occasionally. I too use it for a phone book and notes. No way will I pay $40 to $100 a month for a contract phone. A cell is a convenience to me and a safety factor. I don't and won't live on a phone. I hate phones anyway, but this is a convenience and safety issue.

I also decided my sister should have one so I've been paying for hers. I feel more comfortable when she's out alone to have the ability to contact someone and she's learning it's a convenience issue too. She too doesn't live on the cell phone. Best present I can give her. Although she's another who won't turn the thing on so you can't reach her, but that's not that big a deal. She finally learned to keep it charged! (insert sexist comment here)

Luckygardnr said: "Not me! Mine is in my purse for emergencies only. I never think to turn it on, but like having it in case my car breaks down." Just put my name to her exact words.

I have one but like many others it is not turned on. It is just for emergency only. Basic plan.
I have to add to this that I get really upset with people who are visiting, talking with me etc. who suddenly take a call in the middle of our conversations. I find this to be very rude but people seem to do it all the time. I also have a friend who will constantly check her phone even though it hasn't rung, like an addiction or something.

OK, I'm the odd one.......

I have two. Yes, I have two cell phones.

One is MY contract. A verizon I've had for about 4 years. The other one is a TMobile from my son's account. He, his wife and kids live in Nevada, and on the phone he sent me, I can call them, or they can call me anytime for any amount of time without using up any minutes. It's nice to be able to talk to my 5 y/o DGD or 1 y/o DGS without worrying about long distance charges or using up minutes. I also can have 5 others on my favorites. Land line, other phone company, it doesn't matter. They can call me, or I can call them without using any minutes.
I use the TMobile only for those calls.
My verizon, I use for any other calls I need to make...dr. appointments, etc and use up my own minutes.

I hate talking on the phone and I never just call anyone to chit chat. Once in a blue moon, I might call a friend out of state to talk. I have a house phone that I never plug in and a Cricket phone that I take with me, but I only talk about whatever issue is at hand. I don't like to make small talk on the phone.

I, too, have a cell phone (at DH's insistence) but seldom turn it on. Only when I'm out of the house; never, when I'm home. Service around here is so spotty that it's often useless, and the signal at home is so bad (the LR is fine, the kitchen is on roaming..calls often break up or get dropped) that the land line just works better. I often drive alone on snake-trail local roads, though, and it's nice to have in case of an emergency. The only people who have my cell number are DH and a couple of dear friends, who might call me when THEY have an emergency.

All we have are cell phones--no land line here. My old home# is on my cell, so no one had to learn a new #. It's worked out great. I never miss a call and it's saved a lot of money. DH had his own #.

I don't understand leaving one's phone off except for emergencies. What if a family member had an emergency? Wouldn't you want to be reachable? If one of my family members were in an accident or suddenly took ill I would want to know. Even my best friend has me listed on her cell as an emergency contact since she has no family. If she gets stuck somewhere it's me she calls first.

Emergencies cut both ways. If people call you socially on your cell and you don't want to chat just don't answer and they can leave a voice mail if it's important.

My cell phone is not just for my emergencies but also for those I care about.

For those of you who don't turn your phones on, be sure they are charged. You don't want to have an emergency and the phone is dead.

Get in the habit of turning your phone on when you get in your car and off once you're parked at home, that way you know your phone is charged and ready if it's needed or someone needs you.

I don't make or receive many calls, including long distance. My answering machine screens all incoming calls; I won't pay for caller ID or call waiting.

My friend has been trying to give me this dang cell phone he bought me even tho I've told him I don't want one. It's still at his house unopened.

Wildchild is right! Those of you that don't turn your phone on should!!
I had an emergency situation one day while I was gone, just for 10-15 minutes. I left the cell phone at home. I was needed in the ER. Thats a horrible feeling to know someone was trying to call you for an emergency and couldnt get you. I now carry it on me every time I leave home and its on!!

Our first was the big hurky heavy case black ugly construction type. SSSOOO glad to see it gone! Now, we have mine, DH, both sons and an older gentleman who helped my husband out running for parts and things. It is necessary to me, I work two jobs, up and down highway, youngest son in in HS and has band and games and such. Nice to know if he missed the bus and instead of going back into town to get him, I can just swing over after #1 job. Also after being sent to Wallyworld 4 times in one day, I can call home and ask if there is anything anybody wants. Husband is often alone on construction jobs or riding horse, so if he needs something, he can call one of us. Son #1 is addicted to GF and can't stay off. fortunatly, M2M is free. Older man turned off his home phone, we dropped computer line and went broadband. I complain when I pay the bills, but it has saved me in the long run. I just get annoyed with some of the hideous answertone songs(?) that I have to listen to when I call others...
I use bluetooth ear phone while in vehicle, use voice dial, so no different than talking to myself....
I depend on my Blackberry for alarms, reminders, phone book, calendar, (especially!) and if it rings I answer.
I do not use the web, have email at home and both jobs. I refuse to pay the high price for that! The text feature is not my cup-o-tea, but I do appreciate it when my sons take the time to text old mom a line or two. Makes me think that they haven't forgoten me...
It's nice to be able to chat with family-near and far- so conveniently. I pitty the poor grandparents and parents that don't have that privilege.
Yes, I would feel deprived...