In some ways, communicating by phone is an outdated concept. Who has time now adays to spent 10-30 minutes chit chatting? The middle class is working harder and harder to make ends meet with 2 parent working households now the norm, as opposed to the exception. Its tough enough to find time to be able to spend actual time with your kids and family, let alone enough time to relax, watch TV, play video games or god-forbid, read a book. In today’s world, you can tweet your activities, update your Facebook Status and let the world know every little detail of your day and life. So, why does the phone matter? Simple. Its an attention getting instrument designed to make sure that you have an interactive conversation with someone immediately. If you’re lost trying to find a Friend’s house, you need to talk to them RIGHT NOW, not someday in the future and you need to be able to talk and communicate with them and have them provide information back. A Tweet isn’t going to cut it.

So, when you phone "rings" (rather funny term – they no longer ring, now they play music or funky tones) and you don’t recognize the phone number, you’re going to feel pressured to answer it. I mean, it could be important, right? Could it be someone calling from the hospital? Maybe it’s a call from an ex-lover or maybe it’s a once-in-a-lifetime offer to act in a multi-million dollar movie next to your favorite movie star? Okay, maybe its not the last one, but you can’t just let the phone go to voicemail can you? What if they don’t leave a message? What if it’s a call from your spouse using their one call from jail and you miss it? What if? What IF!?! Here’s the problem. Its probably not one of those situations you think and more than likely its someone looking to take your money and you’re better off just letting them leave a message.

Look, I realize that there are people who refuse to leave a message, but you know what? That’s pretty darn rude! If someone is going to interrupt your valuable non-working time: time with your beloved family, the least they can do is spent 10 seconds and say "hey, this is John Smith, just wanted to say hi". If its someone in the hospital, then, well, at least they are conscious enough to call you and they can at least tell you what hospital they are in and a callback number. The same goes for someone in Jail, they can tell you where they are and you can deal with it afterwards. You’re NEVER going to get that call that you fear where someone is calling you using their dying breath. Sorry, that’s not going to happen. If they are alive enough to initiate a conversation, then they can leave a message and you can get back to them. Heck, you’re probably going to listen to the message right away and so you can call them back quickly.

How does that sound? It has to be better than receiving a call you didn’t ask for, that you don’t want from someone selling something you aren’t interested in. You’re NOT being sued, you DID NOT win the "online" lottery and someone isn’t going to send you a Gift Card… at least not without you being forced to commit something that you don’t want to. Even if they are offering a product, I can guarantee that you can find a whole lot of a better deal elsewhere. That "Free" security system that gets pushed is nothing more than a cheap $100-$200 wireless system that you could probably find a whole lot cheaper than that with monthly fees that can cost upwards of $60+ per month with a whopping 5 year contract. $60 per month! 5 Year Contract! What the heck!!! Nobody has that type of money to blow when far better options are available at $10-$15 per month or less and a 5 year commitment? Heck, your cellphone provider will discount a $650 iPhone down to $200 if you sign a 2 year commitment, but these guys are demanding $60 per month for 5 years? No way, not a chance.

Give yourself a break, save yourself some money and don’t give these guys the time of day.