You can get a half decent cordless phone for less than $50 from Big W or Officeworks. I got a Uniden one for Christmas last year (at my request, after not having a phone hooked up to the landline for 15 years). It works a treat, has caller ID and a message service that actually works. I don't answer unless I'm on call because no one apart from the phone book has had that number for umpteen years.
As for a mobile, a lot feel the same way about having one. However, you can get a very basic dumb phone for around $20. Pretty much the same as your landline, but you can take it out with you, should you venture out. They are pre paid, so you only have to recharge when you think you might want to use it. I am with Woolies mobile and they have a prepaid option where the the calls and data are valid for 6 months. From memory, it's around $60. Other carriers may have similar deals. Plus, if you shop at Woollies, you get 10% of your groceries once a month.
My elderly mother bit the bullet and got a basic dumb phone and she's glad she did.
Laughing into the phone, or blowing a whistle or whatever people choose to do, doesn't stop them. It tells them that the line is active and someone will answer. Very few people have my mum's mobile number, but she gives it to those similar to you. That way, the scammers are limited to her landline and if it comes up as an unknown number, she doesn't answer it.
