I agree that most people do not need to be available at all times, but as a recent college graduate I have moved 10 times over the past 4 years (back and forth from different dorms/home, plus studying in other cities) and a cell phone is most practical to me because I don't have to keep switching my number every time I take on a new city! I also point out that my cell phone IS MY ONLY PHONE. I have had the same number for 7 years which makes it easy for people to keep track of me. Plus it was nice to have when my old beater car broke down (which it did a lot...gotta love the new baby!) I make it a policy not to answer my cell when I am out with other people (unless I am expecting an urgent call) because it's just rude. I have friends who text like crazy like the person on the other end is more important than the friend sitting in front of them. However, I do catch flack for not answering my phone sometimes because people know it's always in my pocket.

This is ridiculous. ALL the reasons mentioned (other than health) have within them a human element. The USER has complete control over talking on the phone while driving, allowing himself to be distracted, NOT getting a cell phone at all, and even just NOT picking up the phone when it rings (I know it's possible, I routinely do not pick up my phone when it rings). Even the health element is within human control: If you are concerned about the consequences to your health of using a cell phone just don't use one! This is like blaming those flat rectangular pieces of plastic for debt. Or cheeseburger's for obesity or other health problems. Are we thinking creatures capable of exercising free will and taking responsibility or are we powerless brain dead zombies at the mercy of our own creations?

I have also moved several times in the past 5 years and have kept the same number with my cell phone.  My cell phone is my only phone.  If I am busy I just put my phone on vibrate.  That way if an important call comes in I can at least look at it to see if I need to answer it.  In California this year they passed a no hand held cell phone law.  A lot of people purchased the Blue Tooth Device or something similar to it and wear it on their ear.  I got a Blue Tooth Speaker phone.  It clips to my visor right above my head and makes it easy to talk and drive while still keeping my eyes on the road.  I feel that by wearing a device right next to my ear creates more of a problem while driving than by holding the phone.  It keeps you from hearing what is going on next to you on the road.  There has also been reports of a rise in brain tumors since the Blue tooth ear worn device has become popular.  

I agree wholeheartedly with the originator of the thread. Having long conversations on cellphones is a complete waste of time and money. You are much better off waiting until you get home or to the ofice where you can use the landline

All depends on your personal situation, don't you think?  I'm based out of a home office but spend most of my day tracking down people at their homes or places of business.  A cell phone is obviously my best choice of communication equipment.  I make up for the additional cost by not using a separate landline.  I also shopped around to get the best possible deal on my cell minutes.  Tailoring choices to personal circumstances = the hot new thing in frugality.

People who advocate getting rid of cell phones have never had a vehicle accident at 2 AM during a snowstorm in a rural area. With the hassles come some benefits.

I have a pay-as-you-go call phone by T-Mobile...$25 for 3 months.before that I had a QWest phone for $65/ month so yes going to the PYAG phone saved me a HUGE chunk of change. Yes limited minutes but I don't yak on the phone. It is also $1.00 per day to turn it on...so if someone asks me if they could use my phone I say "Sure...that will be $1.00" I also have a landline at home for DSL..how do you guys who don't have landlines use the Internet?? i guess Internet cafes...but I sure wouldn't feel secure doing my banking on a public site...

Yes, there are certainly vaild arguments against yap yap yapping on the phone all the time.  However, I've been carrying mine on all runs for years, and I've needed it on several occasions.  Once last weekend when I came upon another runner down on the side of the path with severe muscle cramps, once last year when I witnessed a one-vehicle accident on a remote canyon road and summoned the Highway Patrol, and once several years ago when I was grabbed by a would-be rapist while running at 4:15 AM on a cold December morning.  (I bit him, he let go, I ran and called the sheriff's department for help.  When he realised I was talking to a deputy he ran for his car and took off.)  I am a strong advocate of cell phones in many situations.

To Joe Six Pack: So, for the possibility of that ONE car breakdown in the middle of the night, you pay cell phone fees every single month? Do you also have ONStar? Please. Accidents and breakdowns happen, and yes when they do, cell phones are nice. But they also happened before cell phones and people survived fine. Nowadays no one stops for breakdowns because they assume people have cell phones!

Cell smell.... I do NOT have Onstar because I don't drive GM vehicles. I pay cell phone fees but I don't have a landline. Why pay twice for the same service? At least with a cell phone I can make a call almost anywhere. Also, try finding a pay phone in public if you need to make a call...it's getting harder to find them. As for your comment about "people survived fine". Yeah, but they also walked seven miles in the snow or bled to death before the ambulance arrived because nobody had a phone to call 911. I'd rather have the cell phone in case of an accident or breakdown. It's called technology, get used to it.