Quoting mamaluvsher4babies:" LOL..its hard to find pay phones now days though..they use to be everywhere!!"

Haha the subway and university are FULL of them, but I have noticed that there are less and less in restaurants and stores. I thought about getting a cell phone, but then seeing as I can pay 50 cents per phone call or 50 bucks a month for a service I would never really use, the choice was easy to make

Why don't yall get the Obama phone? It's like 215 minutes free a month.

Quoting James Mama:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ßitchtastic:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting James Mama:</b>" ... [snip!] ... in order to get in a better situation. I guess I could have stayed and live off the government, I'm just not that helpless."

Moving is NOT that easy. Smurf, SO and I moved about 5 miles down the road, and we spent $400 just to get the apartment, then 8 days later, had to pay another $345 (thank god the apartment complex had a deal on 1/2 off first months rent. There's no way we could've paid $690 that first month). Not to mention all the gas from driving back and forth (since we didn't get a moving truck... tried to be money savvy). I'm not gonna include the $5k we spent on furniture because I'm sure the other girl already has furniture.


It's not that easy to up and move, dude. Especially when you're already struggling. SO and I weren't even struggling and it was still difficult.

And I do see a cell phone as crucial. A phone in general is crucial.

When your kid starts school and something happens, they have to be rushed to the ER.... how will the teacher get ahold of you? You'd never know until 5pm rolled around, realize your kid was supposed to be home an hour ago... and then head up to school. What if your kid had been at the hospital since 9am?

What if there is ANY emergency, and people don't have the time to write you a freaking letter or drive to your house? Well, you're smurf out of luck then I guess.

Quoting kthx.:" And I do see a cell phone as crucial. A phone in general is crucial. When your kid starts school and ... [snip!] ... people don't have the time to write you a freaking letter or drive to your house? Well, you're smurf out of luck then I guess."

Its called emergency contacts!! Put down your mother, father, brother, sister, aun , uncle, friends, your job, How do you think we all did it without cell phones?? lol..We do not need cell phones to survive! Are they nice to have? Yes of course but they should not be a priority! How do you think your mom did it?

The nature of some people's work requires a cell phone. It all depends on the circumstances how important it is. Landlines aren't always cheaper. Ours surely isn't.

Quoting mamaluvsher4babies:" Its called emergency contacts!! Put down your mother, father, brother, sister, aun , uncle, friends, ... [snip!] ... phones to survive! Are they nice to have? Yes of course but they should not be a priority! How do you think your mom did it?"

My mom had a phone. Always had a landline. And good thing... because I did get hurt and have to go to the hospital quite a few times.

And it shouldn't be your relatives responsibility to drive to your house every single time your kid is hurt or something at school happens. It's YOUR responsibility to be in contact with whoever it is concerning YOUR child.

Quoting kthx.:" My mom had a phone. Always had a landline. And good thing... because I did get hurt and have to go to ... [snip!] ... kid is hurt or something at school happens. It's YOUR responsibility to be in contact with whoever it is concerning YOUR child."

A landline should be good enough. I am not saying people shouldnt have cell phones, but to make it a priority over other bills is redicoulous. So no one should make out the emergency contact list the schools give out??? I sure hope you change your mind when you have kids going to school.

Quoting mamaluvsher4babies:" A landline should be good enough. I am not saying people shouldnt have cell phones, but to make it a ... [snip!] ... out the emergency contact list the schools give out??? I sure hope you change your mind when you have kids going to school."

The emergency contact list is in case your phone is out of service for the time being, not just that you don't have a phone at all. If you're just gonna use your family as your sole contact.... why have them as emergency contact? Just write them in where your number and contact should go... because that's how you're using it.


And I didn't see anyone putting their cell phone bill before other bills. That's not what we were talking about in this thread. What was being talked about was the fact that someone is using cash assistance to pay for a cell phone. And then people saying a cell phone isn't necessary. Well, yeah... it is. At least now it is. It's cool your grandparents and smurf didn't need a cell phone when growing up/raising your kids. But, 50-60 years later... things are kinda different, don't you think?

Quoting kthx.:" The emergency contact list is in case your phone is out of service for the time being, not just that ... [snip!] ... need a cell phone when growing up/raising your kids. But, 50-60 years later... things are kinda different, don't you think?"

of course things are different...but its not so different that we need cell phones to raise kids and live our lifes. I am quite a bit older then you and I understand the younger generation feels they need cell phones to survive. I have an 18 year old son he was all about his cell phone until he moved out on his own an realized OH Smurf I have to figure out what I can affford and wha I need to survive. To say the least he hasnt had a cell phone in 3 months. And yes there arer many people who will pay for their cell phone first before anything else. I had a friend who paid for her cell phone before her car insurance and this is what she said " I have to be able to get on my FB and text people when I am at work" WTF?? LOL..Like I said cell phones are nice but we do not need them to survive.

Quoting kthx.:" The emergency contact list is in case your phone is out of service for the time being, not just that ... [snip!] ... need a cell phone when growing up/raising your kids. But, 50-60 years later... things are kinda different, don't you think?"

It is not.If you want a cell phone for emergencies just get an old one with a ten buck card in that is only used if you EVER have an emergency. Or keep one without any minutes with battery in it so you can still dial 911 if something happens. I just don't understand the mentality that because everyone else has it, then it must be a necessity. A phone line is sufficient and in the person that you quoted had stated exactly that. If one finds that cell phone are cheaper for some reason, then sure get a cell, but no you most likely dont need the internet/ messaging/ a million minute plan.

Seriously, I have seen some acquaintances with smart phones that cant put a decent meal on the table but rather put a 40$ so the line isnt cancelled than buy fruits and veggies. It<s very frustrating.

WE have been under the poverty line, we know all about budgeting, about rice and beans, about buying EVERYTHING second hand or doing without. I know what it<s like when your life partner loses his job and you have to sell your house just so you can get a decent job. But people need to stop thinking that every thing is due to them and get their priorities straight.

And this message wasnt intented to you but mostly to all the people who complain about having trouble to keep a roof over their head while they watch their cable TV, enjoy some take-out and feel like they are too good for second hand. And this is me being bitter because this is the perfect description of way to many people I went used to be friends with

Quoting mamaluvsher4babies:" of course things are different...but its not so different that we need cell phones to raise kids and ... [snip!] ... get on my FB and text people when I am at work" WTF?? LOL..Like I said cell phones are nice but we do not need them to survive."

I do need mine. It's my only way of work contacting me about extra hours (which I can ALWAYS use). I can only imagine how many opportunities I would've passed up if I didn't have a cell phone. That's my income now... that having no phone would be messing with. Surely you don't expect my manager to drive to my house and offer me the overtime hours  

Quoting TheSugarComa:" It is not.If you want a cell phone for emergencies just get an old one with a ten buck card in that ... [snip!] ... hand. And this is me being bitter because this is the perfect description of way to many people I went used to be friends with"

What's the use of having a phone to just call 911 if the school has to call YOU for an emergency?


A phone is a necessity. Rather it be a landline or cell phone. Sometimes the cell phone is cheaper, sometimes it's the houseline. And you'd end up paying the same amount, or within a few dollars difference for the basic phone... than you would for the smart phone. With the phone company I have, it's actually cheaper to have the 3000 minute plan, since it's all inclusive, than to have a smaller plan. So of course I took the cheaper route. But, to everyone else... it looks like I'm swimming in luxuries because I have unlimited texting, 3000 minutes, internet, etc. When in reality, it was cheaper. Sooo.

Quoting TheSugarComa:" It is not.If you want a cell phone for emergencies just get an old one with a ten buck card in that ... [snip!] ... hand. And this is me being bitter because this is the perfect description of way to many people I went used to be friends with"

Well said!! I happen to love thrift shopping..I got a huge bag of 18 month clothing at a yard sale for $10..all nice clothes!! I got a fake xmas tree 7 feet for free...i am a thrifty shopper.. I am getting my phone turned off tommorow . I am not stressing or throwing a fit about it. My kids have a home..food..clothes..heat/air..Dont need all that other BS

Quoting kthx.:" What's the use of having a phone to just call 911 if the school has to call YOU for an emergency? ... [snip!] ... I'm swimming in luxuries because I have unlimited texting, 3000 minutes, internet, etc. When in reality, it was cheaper. Sooo. "

A landline here goes as cheap as 9.99 a month

A cell phone plan is a minimum of 30, and a smart phone starts at 50. As i said, if in your area prices dont reflect that you should go with the cellphone. And you can get a minute card for as cheap as 10 dollars, so you dont talk but dont bust your wallet

Maybe if you spoke on the phone less, you wouldn't need those extra minutes. Or better yet, dont get a smart phone, get the free cheap samsung that flips and that the idea of texting with it excruciating.

and if the school wants to contact me they can call my landline, my husband'S work, my mom as my emergency contact or even my MIL. I remember my grandma picking me up from school once because I felt sick. Wasnt a big deal.

The only time I am not at home for a prolonged period, I am at school. Im pretty sure they can call and get someone to track me down if it is truly an emergency. Its not like Id bring my cellphone to class or study sessions as I feel it is a nuisance when it comes learning. And if I feel that I truly need a cellphone because I am soo DAMN hard to find, then the 10$ card cellphone will do the trick, perfectly. No need for a special plan. You act like schools call for emergencies once a week.