The "why the heck not" win a $50 voucher contest | Announcements | Consumer forum

I've recently purchased a new phone with wifi in order to avoid using airtime unnecessarily and sticking to skype when I'm in range of a wireless connection. I know it is still technically using the cell phone in the end, but I'm avoiding using the service I have to pay for.

In a way, it does cause me to avoid using the cell phone, because the thing drains battery so fast using wifi that I keep needing to recharge the thing, so I can't bring it anywhere with me half the time.

First, I turned off the voicemail feature.

Next, I watch the called ID carefully. I only answer calls I know are from people I want to talk to. If there's going to be a long conversation, I don't answer -- I call them back on a landline instead.

I give my Cell Phone Number only to my family and very close friends (that is 4 people).

Other people call my Landline Phone and it gets call forwarded to my Cell Phone.

Even then, when I get a call, I see who is calling and I chose to answer or send them a text message (it costs me 0.05$ instead of 0.20$ / minute and call them when I reach a Landline Phone (my home, my office or some stores like Staples which have a Courtesy Phone for Clients, so the cost is 0.00$).

Edited on 2nd June 5:30 am :

I won the contest, Thanks Peter,

That is real cool.

Thanks again and your site is wonderful and saved a lot of $$$$ for me , my family and friends.

God bless you and protect you !

locotri

Since I live on a floathome and hold a valid amateur radio license, I regard my cell phone as a 'maritime mobile'. I insist that callers say "over" after each exchange. They soon get tired of this and rarely call me back. So far my original $25 airtime voucher has lasted for seven months with $10 still on it. It works for me!

I use my cell for emergency only. I will always use a land line before using a cell. It takes a bit of forward thought but if my parents and grand parents used to be able to get by without it why shouldn't I, nothing has changed to the point that I need to be in constant contact by phone.
they used horse and buggy to get around, we use cars, trains and plains, if anybody needed a cell it was the horse and buggy people - who wants to go back to the store to get that item you forgot if it takes an hour or more by horse and buggy.

I have the best way of ways to not use a cell phone! I don't have a phone 😀
But if I win this voucher, I will get a phone. But when I do get a cell phone, i'll turn it off and only use it for emergencies or simply use my dads phone

All of these replies are hilarious! I love the stubble fire one - if I try that on my yard, I will get arrested (I'm in the city). I think he should get the prize - the $50 will last him forever.

I can't say that I go to ridiculous lengths to avoid using the cell phone - after all there is a reason for buying it in the first place.

I leave mine on at all times (battery lasts 15 full days on standby), but with the ringer set to vibrate only. This way it acts like a pager. Like the replies above, I rarely answer it unless I have to (e.g. wife calling), and leave it to voicemail. Then I will turn it off and pick up my voicemail using a landline. And I rarely give out my phone number.

For outgoing calls, well let's face it - less than one minute on the cell is a bit cheaper (5 cents is 5 cents!) and a heck of a lot more convenient than hunting around for a pay phone.

So I say to all of you hiding your cell phone in the glove compartment "for emergency use only" - carry it proudly with you everywhere.

1) Very few people have the number
2) I use landline or Skype whenever I can
3) I call screen rigidly
4) I try to keep all calls under one minute
5) I turned off Voice Mail
6) If the call is important and cellular is the only choice and I know the call will last a long time - I ask my wife to call (or answer) them.

1) I didn't get a cell phone until I really need it
2) I got it during the $100 air time, free phone promotion
3) Only one cell phone for our family of 4
4) Only family members have the number
5) The phone is used for emergency out going only, until travelling and have to be in touch
6) voice mail turned on so caller can leave message, but always check message from landline
7) for a long local call without free landline, use a pay phone
8) for a 1 minute local call without free landline (e.g. "I'm at xx street, come pick me up"), use YAK calling card on a pay phone, rate is 8.5 cent per minute when using their 1-800 access number.

As a result, when I had to top up at 364th day of having my service, my balance was >$86 -- I spent $7 on calls for the entire year, and $12 on 9-11 fees.