Its called a "Fixed Cost", just like you would pay something even if you didn't use any electricity in a month. Companies need to maintain their networks.

Try getting a pay-as-you go cell phone instead of a land-line. If you spend enough, with certain plans, you have an entire year to use up, say, $50 (after the purchase of the inexpensive phone, of course).

I've gone this route for over three years now, using the same basic $50 phone.

ALL taxes have what is called the "tax incidence", based on elasticities of supply and demand of producers and purchasers that determines how any given tax or tax increase is split between these two groups.
If demand is (relatively) elastic, the producer (landlord) can't pass as much of it to the consumer (renter).

If its something consumers can't do with out, (inelastic), the producer can pass on more/all to the consumer.

This is a very basic/simplistic explanation, so I refer anyone to a basic microeconomics text for greater details and hopefully understanding of this mostly misunderstood concept.

If you have or move to T-Mobile for your cellphone service, for an additional $10/month, they'll give you VOIP with all the calling features of caller ID, 3-way conference calling, AND unlimited nationwide free long distance. go to their website and look it up!


I'm moving to SKYPE they're cheaper than Vonage.


I grew up with depression-era folks and it's true, they never ever spent money even after the economy recovered. What the depression did to them, they never recovered; it changed them for ever, they went frugal all their lives.

Right, because it would be SO much more economically sound to raise that rent that I used for an example and have the two good tenants move out. To be replaced with someone who potentially will not pay consistently, will move out after one year and may or may not trash the place.