Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I'm sure I could survive without my cell but I've become SO accustom to having it with me I really cannot imagine not having one at this point in my life. I like knowing help, family, or friends are a phone call away. I love that I can take pics of my DD when I forget my camera. And of course........I'm a text-a-holic. Thank the lord I have unlimited texting. My DH could careless about a cell. He NEVER uses his except to call me on his way home. Total waste of money so we may cancel the family plan and lose his cell. I can't give mine up though!

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I don't go anywhere with out my cell phone! I would go into panic if something happened to me or one of my kids and I couldn't call someone!

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I'd like to say no, but when I leave mine home or something, I feel so lost. I wish I wasn't dependent on something like that. Hey, and the kids will have no excuse not to call when they are older.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

yup. I think it is if you plan to go on the highway.... could just imagine trying to walk to the next exit and what crazy person might stop before you get there...

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

For me they are. I hate when I forget mine. Especially, if I am out during the day & my sons at school. God forbid the school needs to get in touch with me & they can't. I want to be the person to get him if he's sick or something happens. My husbands cell is his work phone & he tends to ignore calls if he's busy.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Yes, I think it is very good to have a cellphone - they come in handy!

DH and I hardly use our cellphones, so after our cellphone plans were up, we opted for a "pay as you go plan" and we purchased $100 of minutes (.10 per minute - 1,000 minutes) back in October. As of last week, I have 800 minutes left!

This is saving us a ton of money. We were able to keep our phones and numbers, but now we don't have to pay a $50 cellphone bill every month. We are saving about $500 a year by doing it this way!

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I absolutely think they are a necessity these days. As many PPs said, there used to be pay phones everywhere, and that's no longer the case at all. And just because generations got by without them, doesn't mean that it can't become a necessity. God forbid I was in a car accident or there was some emergency, especially with DD, the quicker I can call 911 the better. To me, that makes it a necessity, not a luxury.

I know this is a leap, but people used to get by without all sorts of stuff...cars, electricity, etc. They are all necessities now. (Well, a car is a necessity depending on where you live. It was not one when I lived in Manhattan, but you get the point.)

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

For me, a cell phone is a necessity. Like others have said, there are hardly any more pay phones around. I work in a not so good area. Years ago, before I had a cell, my car broke down and I had to walk blocks to find a phone. I couldn't imagine doing this now, especially with DS.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Since the cell phones came out they have done away with pay phones. I would not even know where to find one. For that reason alone you need one. As for kids I only have an 8 year old and I would not give him a cell phone at this age. I have seen kids come out of the elementary school and I think that is terrible. If he was going somewhere without me I might give him mine just in case. At this point me and DH decided maybe when he is 16 and he will use mine until then if he goes somewhere. Of course by the time he gets to that age they might have a new invention.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Posted by wannabemom

I think a landline isn't necessary.... what's the point? you have a cell!

Every time my mom walks eryk in his stroller in MIL's neighborhood in brooklyn (where all houses look the same!) I am happy that not only I have a cell, but I got mom one too.... if she ever were to forget the house #, she can call....

Also, when mom went to the Dr. and they insisted she get admitted to the hospital, she called my cell with her cell when I was at work....

When DS is crying for food during the carride home, I call DH to tell him to make a bottle and prep everything for his arrival.....

so many reasons for a cell. the only one I can think of for a landline is 'if the cells are blocked (like on 9/11)'. such a rare occassion.... just as likely the landlines would be knocked down by a tree. IMO... ditch the landline and get a family plan

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Not a necessity, just a luxury. I like having it with me when my son is at school in case they need to call me, but I honestly feel no need to answer my cell if it is just a casual call. The way I see it, if I didn't have a cell phone and I wasn't at home, I wouldn't have a phone to answer. So if I am out and about, I only answer if I know it is important.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

My cell doesn't get that great of service in my house. There is also the 911 issue. I don't think calling 911 from a cell will pinpoint your exact location instantly, will it?

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I rarely use my cell phone. I mainly use it when I'm out and my mom is watching DD. Its great to have in case of emergencies. In April, I went to Citi-Field with DH and fell and severely sprained my ankle. My mom was watching DD and I had to call her to tell her that I was being taken to the hospital and give her updates on my condition.

I do plan on looking at pay as you go plans once my contract is up, since I don't use it as often.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I never use my cell phone. However after being in a car accident with DS in the car, I will never leave home without it. We spend $130 a month for an iphone and a blackberry. That is not necessary, but a prepaid cell phone is. It's almost impossible to find a payphone that works, and have the proper change.
IMO a landline is necessary. Cell phone reception isn't always the greatest and I would never depend on it in my house.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Yep. I feel a little bit safer with it. Like you said, in case I get a flat tire of there is a problem. BUT, they do have those prepaid phones that are good to have if you only want them for an emergency. This way you aren't stuck paying a monthly bill.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I got one the first time I made the car ride up to NY with Josh.

I paid 19.00 for it up front...then 20.00 every 3 months.

It sits in my glove compartment...I don't even know the number for it.

I don't want to be on the side of the road stranded.

I would never give up my landline...its so inexpensive.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

I'm answering this question as a 911 Operater......
For the records...the 911 call center can pinpoint the location of a cellphone call (if it is a newer phone and 3G service) to within 50 yards of the callers location. So, it is a valuable asset in the instance of an emergency. We have had calls where someone would not give their location and were able to track them and find them.
Also, there are many levels of service that are affordable. DH and I have Verizon and we have 800 shared minutes/unlimited texting for $90/month. To me that's worth the price of little more than a cup of coffee a day for peace of mind.
As far as landlines are concerned, when calling 911, the exact address of a landline comes up on the computer so even if a person can't speak or is being attacked, the 911 operater can send someone....and they always do. Plus, if you have friends/family out of the local area - all locations are included. For us, not having a landline isn't practical as we have family in Florida, California and Connecticut. It would cost us a fortune to call them from cellphones.

The only thing I would NOT recommend for emergencies are those "free" 911 phones. If you have a phone that's been disconnected and you call 911 - the operator cannot call you back nor can they triangulate the position. Spend the money on a pay-as-you-go phone vs. using a free phone. The free phones are almost pointless.......

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

absolute necessity no questions asked.

Re: SPR-Do you feel cellphones are a neccesity?

Yes, I feel they are necessary.