Want to Rent a Rotary Phone?

I was listening to Clark Howard this morning and heard something I couldn't believe. Do you remember the old rotary phones? Well, many years ago the phone companies would lease these to you for use in your home. According to ABC News, back in 1985 AT&T gave customers the option to opt out of renting. They said the numbers dropped from 40 million to about 750,000 today. WHAT? Are you kidding? I can't believe that many people still rent those old rotary phones. In fact, ABC News reported that an 82 year old woman had been leasing 2 phones for the past 42 years. Her grandchildren discovered the bill and found that she had paid $14,000 over the years for these old phones. So, if you have know of anyone still renting a phone from the phone company, do the right thing and buy them a phone for Christmas.