We still have an answering machine. Why pay a monthly fee when you don't have to? Monthly fees for things we used to get for free is what is making everyone broke. Remember free tv & water from your well? Now everyone has monthly fees for cable, cell phones, water company, sewer, bottle water, trash pickup........ Its how they get you. Don't fall for new & improved all the time.
As for looking for an update, try PMing the OP. Otherwise, she may never see the thread.