I believe it's very possible to take this route.

I had been fighting the cellphone for many years and finally gave in last month cause I was travelling for work so much anyway.

Going Skype-only at home was easy cause I'm so accessible on the net. Skype, facebook etc. Landline was never ringing anyway so we cut out that $25 uselessness. And its kinda neat to lounge back in your chair and talk to someone over Skype.

The question is whether that's your only 'phone'. The quality of calling someone over Skype to phone's not always that great, Skype to Skype is definitely much better in my experience.

Between cellphone and Skype I'm probably more accessible than I want to be.

**Wow. I've used used Skype so many times in this comment they should be paying me for their SEO.

Sounds like an excellent plan to me. Especially because all you want is a supplement for your apartment where your cell doesn't get good service.

You guys all have good points. I'm going to do away with the land line and get Skype. Since Skype will only be used as a back up phone for when I'm in the house, I think I'll manage. Weather conditions where I live (D.C.) are pretty tame and in the year+ I've lived here, I've only experienced one brief power outage. I'll add the $30 I'd been paying for the land line to my savings account so I have something to show for cutting my spending in a small way.

@ Chris Benassi - My blog focuses on living with style while on a small budget as I am a young professional with loads of student loan and consumer debt, like many others in the 18-24 age range. So as you have stated, the beauty of blogging is that yes indeed, I can write about whatever I like. And if you take a look at my blog, I do write about a variety of topics from the economy, to my career, to living within my budget, and of course style/fashion, so deciding whether or not to cut my landline fits right in. Thanks for commenting. Since you asked, I say go for brown shoes on Monday (with a brown belt) because black is what people expect...

Your opinion is valid Anonymous, but it seems like if you really wanted to see change happen, you'd let us know who you are. I didn't think my little blog post would cause a minor 'controversy' as I had no control over it being picked...thanks for commenting anyway.

I think this post was extremely fitting for this website. The purpose of the website is to engage young professionals in a dialogue. More often than not, it is a dialogue that in one way or another relates to a career issue/advice. However, it does not all have to be career-related.

Young professionals are facing a lot of other issues and making smart financial choices is a big one. Shenneth directly addressed such a topic and asked advice of other like-minded young professionals. Personally, I found it very useful to (1) find out that people are actually considering using Skype as viable alternative to a land line and (2) read a few responses to gauge people's opinions.

Honestly, I do not see why Chris Benassi and Anonymous have a problem with this post.

Finally, I'd just like to say that seeing all career-related posts at Brazen would just be plain boring. I would like to see some humanity, please. Like talking about your adoption and what it means in your life. Or figuring out whether you should cut your land line and save an extra $30 a month (which, let's face it, for young people like us is not a negligible amount).

Shenneth -

Happy to see you've decided to dump the landline in favor of Skype, I did the same about 2 years ago and haven't looked back! The only downside is that you can't call 911 from Skype. Worst case, assuming you can get out - you can step outside of your apartment to call 911 from your cell, (insert deity) forbid - you have a need to do so.

Radi
http://technopodge.com
http://linkedin.com/in/rshourbaji

In respect to Ryan's previous comment, I will only post what I had initially intended: a comment to your post.

I've used both cell phones and Skype in my apartment (Skype is something I used more often because, at the time, I was working online and therefore at my computer the majority of the day) and I can see the benefits of both. Thankfully, I don't have the problem you mentioned with your cell phone service (shameless plug for Verizon here - I've never had a problem with dropped calls unless I'm in an elevator or an underground garage) and I was only using Skype for work purposes.

I have to second other members' comments regarding the ability to make calls in an emergency or when your power goes out; this is one reason I think it's important to have access to a land line (even if it's not in your own place). Think back to midnight on New Year's Eve of 2008 - a good majority of cell phone users were unable to place calls because of the bombardment on the towers.

Also, as a previous Skpe user, I think it all depends on how you're set up. I only had a microphone and used the speakers that came with my computer. Whenever I placed calls, my voice would occasionally break up and/or the connection would have background static. As a listener, my speakers were adequate but there was a definite delay. However, other people I know who use headsets say they do not experience any of the problems I had.

Cutting your landline is a good idea to save money, I think, but if you're going to use Skype exclusively for your in-apartment phone, I would highly recommend getting the proper equipment. Best of luck to you!

Honestly, the hilarity of this to me is that it would not even occur to me to bother with a landline at all anymore. I haven't had one in years, and have never missed it. When I've lived in more isolated areas and have needed a back-up for emergencies (i.e. file, break in, etc.), I get an 'emergency' line from the phone company. It's what they provide to low income and elderly customers who can't afford a phone, but who need some options for safety reasons. Usually the price is minimal -- but the only number you can actually call is typically 911.

I'm very late to this party. I noticed numerous concerns here in the comment section regarding lack of Skype service due to a power outage in an emergency situation. I don't have Skype but I do have another VOIP service provider. The first thing I did when I hooked up my VOIP service is I connected my SIP box and cable modem to a UPS so I always have power to my equipment. If my ISP goes offline then I have to use my cellphone. If my cellphone isn't charged I could charge it off the UPS directly. If all else fails I'd have to ask for help - heaven forbid - almost like asking for directions when I'm lost. :)

I use skype a lot but I wouldn't use it instead of my landline.
Maybe you should see how many cases you have where you just cannot use Skype and I reckon if its around five times or less then you should go for it.
But I have relatives that live in Germany and France and I save money for my landline by using this website called internetcalls. I think that using it will amount to the same amount you pay for Skype a month, but I wouldn't know as my landline is a bundle with my cell phone and internet.
But please tell us what you decide on doing and how it goes!
Mary

Cutting your landline is a good idea to save money, I think, but if you're going to use Skype exclusively for your in-apartment phone, I would highly recommend getting the proper equipment
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