Do You Really Need A Home Phone?

When I purchased a cell phone for my daughter (and youngest child), I immediately called the telephone company and cancelled my long distance service.  With 4 cell phones in the house, there was no reason for anyone to use the home phone to make a long distance call anymore. 
 
Skype is an online service that allows Internet users to make calls for just a few dollars a month.  To use Skype, you only need a microphone and a computer.  Skype also allows users with a webcam to make free video calls.  And they recently came out with a new handheld Skype phone that you can use anywhere that you have wi-fi service.

There are a number of other online sites that offer services similar to Skype.
 
For example, Yahoo also has a free Internet phone service.  The reception is not the best, but the fact that it is free, makes the quality just fine -- especially when you can talk with people all over the world.  Recently , my sister-in-law called me via my Yahoo message center from Iraq where she is serving in the war.  I had to scramble for headphones as the call was unexpected, but without this service, I would have never had the opportunity to talk to her.  It would have cost a small fortune to talk via the home phone.  Yahoo has video capabilities, as well.
 
If you feel you really need a home phone to accept incoming emergency calls or to use a fax machine, you can get a minimum payment landline for about $30 a month.

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