I guess I should provide a lil update. I tried it, it worked great as a phone. A lot of features and VERY simple to install. Sounded good to me. I returned it because I have a fax machine which I use every once in a while and also some gadget that records pgms thats needs to dial out nitely to get the latest schedules. THESE devices DID NOT work on the Magic Jack, but phone calls in and out worked excellent. I returned the device within the 30 day free trial and they acknowledged that they had received it back and there were no charges to my credit card at all. Maybe I am one of the lucky ones, maybe there are MANY lucky ones out there and we only hear about the losers? If someone needed inexpensive unlimited fone service, MagicJack may be for them, yet, I would hesitate to hesitate to suggest it because I am not sure they could /would follow the guidelines in the magic jack offer and feel they got screwed by them when in fact they actually screwed themselves. Too bad I couldnt have used it, it is definitely a money saver.

"Well, I had my internet access, cable and phone turned off -I could not pay the bill." Check out the many, many FREE ISPs that are out there. Some limit the number of hours you get, but you can at least check your email to see if your boss sent something important and then still use the library for recreational internet use, like accessing GW here. Some give you unlimited usage but you have to sit through annoying banner ads - but it is FREE. http://www.all-free-isp.com/arizona-providers.php Cable is a waste of money for any one on a tight budget. It is a luxury item. I don't have it. I don't need it. Even if I made more money I probably would not get it since it offers so little. Now about your phone. I am assuming you are talking about your landline and not your cell phone. Most people do not need BOTH. But, your state may have the program where you can get assistance to pay your landline phone if you have low income and a medical condition where you need the phone available for medical emergencies. Some phone companies in some states offer this with their own program too and you could check this out for yourself. You would get almost free access but have to pay for each call you make. The national assistance program is called LifeLine and I believe is for those living on public assistance but states have their own related programs with names like LifeLink for landlines. There is even free cell phone service called SafeLink good for up to a year for those temporarily disabled and low income. SafeLink Wireless is a federal government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers. You may need to take advantage of these government programs until you get back on your feet. https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx "My son is going to help me pay my rent so that is good." You say your "rent" is $800/mo and you could save HUNDREDS of dollars per month by getting a one bedroom place instead of living in a three bedroom since you are living alone. Consider renting out the extra rooms or getting a roommate. I know people who have do this and never had a big problem. I have considered doing this myself. Look at the *big picture*. Trying to save pennies by burning up gas to drive miles, to save 6 cents per gallon on gas at some far flung service station, negates any savings. There are oodles of *money saving tips* websites on the internet that offer good sound advice. I know. I read them. I live frugally. Start with this one that has advice on banking with low/no service fees: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/06/little-steps-100-great-tips-for-saving-money-for-those-just-getting-started/ There are plenty of places that offer FREE financial counseling and job search help. They even have free computers. A financial counselor can put a person on the right track and help formulate a budget that is living within your means. Women's centers have these resources so do the senior centers. http://www.wehelpwomen.com/jobs/index.html http://phoenix.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=19861 Here is a link that might be useful: Fresh Start Women's Center Phoenix

I recently got it, it did not work well, and I returned it. I got it hooked up and made several test calls to folks at different times of the day and night (thinking my computer speed might be varying widely, and there was not one decent call. Folks I called, likened it to talking to someone on a cell phone that was cutting out...maybe hearing just every other word. I went on line to see what I had to do to return it and get my credit card credited (or not charged if the charge had not hit yet). Before returning it, one has to get an MRA #...Material Return Authorization #. In order to get one, I had to go to Magic Jack Live Chat. He then wanted to 'help' me try and 'fix' it so it would work. I asked if there was a number I could call him at, and was told there was no number. I was on line with 'live chat' for probably 1 hour before I told him I just wanted to give up trying to fix it, and I just wanted the RMA #. He was very polite and gave me the number. One then has to print out the form to return it, and return it in the original packaging. I did get word from them that they had received it back, and my account would be credited. I have not yet checked to see if it was charged or credited to my Credit Card. Save your packaging, until you decide it works well enough to suit you that you won't be returning it. Sue

I'm in a rural area (think bugtussle...) and in a hurricane zone. the last round of hurricanes shifted the cell towers so that the previously excellent cell reception went to having to leave the property to get reception. stayed that way for 3 years. my sister who lives in the front of the property and gets the phone service through internet had to come to my house to use the land line. and to cook & bathe as I have propane for both stove & water heater. while I have phones that are not corded I keep an old style phone, base with receiver attached with cord, for the times that the electricity is out. somehow the phone works even if electricity is out... this is my 'go to' phone for those times. also I have dsl, so I need the phone connection. in this very rural area, 911 tracing calls from cell phones just doesn't work, unless you can give them the address. for those reasons, I'll keep the land line. even if internet connection changed in my life time...the land line stays. I have a friend nearby that had an aneurism. her husband called from the cell phone & was told to call back from the land line & leave phone off the hook. dunno why...but time was of the essence for his wife. for the nominal cost of a landline plus unlimited long distance...it is worth it to me. for peace of mind & internet. my old old friend who now lives in Miami called me last night. we talked for 5+ hours. on my landline, his cell battery gave out on one cell & we continued the marathon on his second cell phone. old school..yeah guess so. I'll keep the landline, but then I'm don't feel that I need a smart phone either. I'm perfectly capable of setting my tstat while in house. I'm a huge fan of keeping it simple in my own life/home. interesting thread.