I think cell phones are great, as long as you don't let them take over your life. If you feel obligated to read and respond the moment a text comes in, an email arrives, someone makes the next move on Words with Friends, or even if the phone starts ringing, that is your decision and problem.
Just once have a breakdown of your car somewhere where there is no pay phone (and they are rapidly becoming extinct) you will certainly appreciate having a cell phone with you. If someone important to you has an emergency, and they can't reach you when they truly need your help as quickly as possible, you will certainly regret not having your cell phone with you.
And then think about the advantages, if you choose to use them, of essentially having a portable computer in your pocket capable of reaching information on virtually anything as soon as you need it.
Sometimes my cell phone saves me a lot of otherwise wasted effort. My wife is out grocery shopping, and I suddenly realize I need something. Calling her and having her add it to the list is a lot more convenient that waiting for her to come home and then one of us running back to the store for the needed item. Another time recently I had just left home to travel about an hour and a half to meet one of my sons for lunch when he called and said an emergency at work forced him to cancel our planned meeting. I had driven five minutes and turned back to home. Without a phone I would have driven the entire way only to find out I had wasted what would be 3 hours and a lot of gas.
Recently my wife and I both upgraded to the new iPhone 6. Cost me $400 for the two and, to me, worth every penny.
