Can you get Metered Rate for your local landline phone service? I did this when I got my cell phone a couple of years ago.

Basically, you get charged per call for all local calls. They include around $5 worth of calls. The break even point is something like 10-20 calls. If you make more than 10-20 calls a month, then you should get the unlimited local plan. If you make less, then get Metered Rate (also known as Measured Rate)

Here's what I'm paying:

1-02 Measured Rate Residence Svc 5.70
1-03 Caller ID Complete Blocking .00
1-04 Your Listing Is Not Published .28
Total Monthly Service 5.98

Taxes and Fees are $6.00, so I'm paying $12 a month for local phone service. As you'll note, I completely stripped out any other service that might cost me anything except for unlisted number.

I hardly ever use my landline nowadays. I use my cellphone for just about everything, including long distance.