If everyone in the house has their own cell phone, how is that saving money anyway?Author of the article: Lesa Light – Lesa on Life, PNI Atlantic Published May 08, 2025 • Last updated 10 minutes ago • 3 minute readColumnist Lesa Light says she’ll never give up her landline. Photo by Edmondo Dantes/FileThat’s right, I’m one of those old gals who still have a telephone connected to an outlet in the wall with a cord. I have many handsets throughout my house. There are two that are stationary and three (count ‘em three!) that are portable. If I lose one, I have another. I don’t have to carry any up and down stairs if I forget one. How convenient is that? But some of my oldie friends decided that a cell phone was all that they needed. They have to cart their phones all around the house; if they lose it, then they don’t have a phone. One of my BFFs doesn’t even have good cell phone service where she lives! THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentNow, I’m not simple: I do have a cell phone too. Yes, I pay for two services. Cells are great when you leave the house. It gives you some reassurance if you run out of gas or if you’re expecting an important call. However, there is danger with people driving around with cell phones because now there are a huge number of distracted drivers, apparently a worse problem than drunk drivers. Heaven forbid that we pay attention to the world around us. Many years ago, I was attempting to call 411 on my landline. While I was dialling, I looked out the window and I accidentally called 911. The ring barely started when I realized my mistake and quickly hung up. Yikes! But guess what? 911 called me back! They insisted on sending a police officer over to my house. He went all through my house to make sure I was alright and that there wasn’t anyone else in trouble. I was so embarrassed, yet I was grateful too because I knew that if I ever got in trouble and dialled 911, they would be able to find me in a minute.Article content Lesa Light says she loves her cell phone too and she’s willing to pay for both services. Photo by FileWith cell phones, it’s different, I believe that there is a lag because I think they need to triangulate, and that’s if you’re in a location with good cell service and your phone isn’t upstairs and you’re downstairs and it’s charged or whatever.My friend with the poor cell service got chest pain one night, her phone didn’t work, but thankfully her husband’s phone did work so they could call for help. But what if he wasn’t home? What then? “But I love my cell phone,” she whines. “I don’t want a landline.”Well, I love my cell phone too. I can play games and check Facebook and look up the answers to the New York Times crossword puzzle if I’m stuck, but I will not depend on it for contact with the greater world. I will pay the extra for two services, I don’t care. I want to be here a bit longer for my grandkids. In my old life, my telephone had a big, long cord with a gadget to hook onto my shoulder. I got a lot of work done around the house while talking on the phone, hands-free. If you want hands-free with a cell phone, you need to use the speaker. That reduces the intimacy of calling a friend, especially since everyone in the room can hear everything. Also, the speaker sounds far away. I don’t like that. If everyone in the house has their own cell phone, how is that saving money anyway? And what fun is that? There is something real about calling someone’s house on a landline and speaking to whoever happens to answer the phone. It feels neighbourly. And we need more neighbours. Article content
LESA ON LIFE: Why I will never give up my landline
