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 have 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 don't want to talk to. Therefore, I put the machine on,and I don't have to speak to them.In conclusion, I really don't know how I lived without this wonderful invention.