I have not had a landline telephone for over five years. Five years ago I was very poor and the luxury of two phone services was not affordable. The cell phone was a necessity for my job. The landline was canceled. Five years ago people gave me an odd look when I told them I had cellphone service only.

Today, nearly 20% of Americans have cellphone service only. It simply doesn’t make sense to have two phone services if you only need one. People say to me “Well sure, but isn’t cell service more expensive than landline?” Five years ago there was truth in that. Today, my monthly phone bill is $21.40 including taxes. I laugh when my Internet provider offers me bundled services of Internet, TV, and telephone for $99. Two obsolete technologies and only one of any use available at less than half the price!

There are some drawbacks to relying on a cellphone. The biggest is its size. It’s awfully nice that the gadget fits in a shirt pocket. It’s equally not nice that the gadget is easily lost under paperwork on your desk, or laid down in a place you forgot. I lose my phone at least once every two weeks. It also doesn’t help that I have a cat that is fond of batting objects off my desktop and under furniture. If you keep your cellphone charged up and turned on, the simple solution solution to these problems is simply to make it ring.

I have a Skype account with only a few dollars in it. Until now, when I lost the phone, I would login to Skype and dial my number. Now, there is even an easier solution. The website www.wheresmycellphone.com allows you to enter your cellphone number. After a few seconds your phone starts ringing. Answering the phone will stop the ringing. The lost/misplaced phone problem is solved.

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