or even answer a blocked number, for that matter.

Getting a hobby phone that only you know about it the answer.

If you block your number, I won't answer the phone. I won't return your call if you leave me a voicemail.

Get a hobby phone. Just a throwaway phone you cna pick up at Walmart, hell even most gas stations have them these days. Throw some minutes on them when you need them, then toss the phone in your glove box til you need it again. Problem solved.

a lesson learned recently came from my call to a well reviewed TER provider who I called......she did not answer.....I did not leave a message either, ...........but hours later she called me back from the phone ID automatically recorded on her phone...........a loved one answered my phone and wasn't amused when the provider asked if "I wanted to hang out".  There is risk in using your own phone, blocking your number may be the answer.

Oh boy...you're gonna get slammed for this one.  I'll be the nice one.

Dude...don't EVER use your shared phone for this hobby.  N E V E R.  Get a pre-paid man.

Or use Google Voice.

Are these trac phones single use phones with prepaid minutes or can you add minutes to them?  If you can add minutes, how do you do it and pay for it in cash.  Sounds like a good way to go, just need to see how it works. Thanks.

STUPID!  It was not long before I realized I'd been lucky.  LUCK is not a plan.  Ask Tiger about using your regular phone!   I used my regular phone until I realized phone records are forever (almost).  You've been warned.  You can not afford another wrong number.
Absolutely, get a hobby phone.  Clear it & find a good hiding place.  Shut it off when you are not alone.  

I recommend you read back on this board.  It's FREE!!  Keep reading until you can answer every question yourself.  The accumulated knowledge of this group will be invalueable.   Guys have been caught on their very first call...  Never even had a meeting!   You must be smarter than this.

Best Wishes,
skb

you can buy cards that add minutes for cash.   they have the cards near the phones, usually in 60, 120, 180 minute increments.  I got mine on a special and it cost like $12 for the phone, and I bought a 60 minute card (phone came with some minutes).  There is no way you will use up all the minutes for hobby calls.  There is a time limit on the pre paid card so you have to add money periodically.  My setup was good for 6 months for a $30 investment including the phone.  After that it is about $20 every 90 days to keep it active or $7 a month it could be less,  I am being conservative in my estimates.  I dont keep any receipts or records so I cant give you exact figures.    It is all a cash deal too.  

$19.95, plus 10 mins. of airtime.  When it runs out you can add minutes on line.  The phone can be bought without giving any personal info beyond your zip code (so they can assign a proper #).

how about forwarding from throwawy phone to another phone.  Im single so it doesnt matter except it is a work-personal phone.

Forget the calls for a "hobby phone"... My question is "Why the heck is your loved one answering your phone?"

My cell phone is never out of my possession. But even if it is, my wife would never even think to answer my phone. Why would she? I have voicemail - she's not doing me any favors by answering my phone. In fact, she's not helping, she's hurting. I don't want my girlfriend/wife answering my phone for what might be a business call (I do get business calls on my personal line sometimes).

The reality is that a girlfriend/wife that answers your phone is just snooping. She needs to be put in check. If she doesn't trust you, then deal with that in your relationship. If my wife's phone rings, I don't run to pick it up. I couldn't care less.