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 bake. There is no way people can say they can't get in touch with you. Sometime 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 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.