Some might say that I have too many phone numbers, or only realize 1 or 2 numbers. However, each number I have serves a purpose. With that said, I will be going into detail of all of the numbers I have, and why I have them. This may not change your perception, but will be there to provide for you to know nonetheless. In case you would wish to know, I am including the cost of each number in case you want a similar situation, or feel I might be spending too much money – although I don’t have to justify my money to anyone except me.
Numbers
- Forwarder (free)
- Home 1 ($4+/month)
- Home 2 ($6/month)
- Home 3 ($1.95+/month)
- Home 4 ($6/month)
- iPhone (est. $18/month)
- Razr (free)
- Voicemail ($6/month)
Forwarder
This phone number will forward anyone calling it to my Home 2 line, iPhone, and Razr. This means I will likely answer to which ever phone is most convenient for me. Obviously, if I am doing something else, I will likely send to voicemail. Most people do not have this phone number, and that is done with intent.
Home Lines
There are multiple home phone numbers. As implied, all numbers ring to the home phone line. The first of the numbers is a toll-free number. This is the number I promote, and it is on my contact cards. The reason for this is simplicity. The 4th-10th digit of my toll-free number is the same as my iPhone number. This means, I just have to remember the first 3 digits for the difference.
The second home phone number is a Pittsburgh local number. This allows for the caller to call this number as an option to calling the toll-free number. This saves me money as I am not paying a per minute rate as I would with the first home phone number.
The third number is an Anchorage Alaska number. This number is much cheaper for someone in Alaska to call me than calling my toll-free number. In a matter of fact, it is about 1/10th the price of calling the toll-free number. With that said though, any +1 907 numbers calling me will likely get offered to call back for cost savings. I believe it is free for me to call Alaska, but someone calling me does have a small charge.
The fourth number is a London UK number. This will allow people that wish to call me, but need another option in order to reach me. While I could have acquired a UK number for my cellular phone, the cost was prohibitively expensive. With that said, I will have just a home phone line.
iPhone
The iPhone is my main telephone, and the phone number I provide to everyone. One might think it might make more sense to provide the “free” phone number I have with my Lifeline provider, but they do not support eSIM, and iPhone 14 Pro in the US is eSIM only. With that said, I have service that I pay $205/year for service, and it meets all of my needs. I can even call Canada, Mexico, and the UK for free. With the iPhone, it is also my music player, and I use bluetooth earphones to support this role while I am out, and about.
Razr
There is at least one app that is not available on iOS, and that app has benefited me every time I used it. However, with it only be available on Android, I needed an Android device to use the app. I didn’t want to give up my iPhone as I prefer that phone more. This forces me to have more than one phone, and therefore multiple phone numbers. While it might not have been worth it if I had to spend $50/month for phone service, this is not the case. Since I live below the poverty line, I qualify for Lifeline. The carrier I chose gives me 3,000 minutes, unlimited SMS, and 4.5GB of data. I don’t even use 3,000 minutes on my primary phone number, so this will be overkill. The Lifeline provider charges $0 for the line, so I only had to buy the phone.
Voicemail
The voicemail line will send callers to my home’s voicemail service. When doing that, the caller will need to leave a voicemail. If they do not, I am not going to know they called, and will not call back. Also, I don’t call unknown numbers back if they call the phone, and do not leave a message. The reason for the voicemail number is mostly due to my domain registries. If a bad actor finds my number by doing a WHOIS search for my information, they will see the voicemail number, and since they will not leave a message, I won’t have to worry about being disturbed from the bad actor.