I got an answering machine for my birthday , and I soon realized what a useful machine this is I am not home most of the day, so someone can leave a message and I can call back. There is no way people can say they can't get in touch with you. Sometimes when I am home and work to do, the phone never stops. Now I put the machine on. I am not disturbed;therefore, I can do more work. there are some people I just do not want to talk to. Therefore, I put the machine on, and I don't have to speak to them. In conclusion, I really do not know how I lived without this wonderful invention