Problem: You have to dial into a number of voice-mail systems -- one from your office, home and cellphone -- to get all your messages.

Solution: Several services let you dial one number to get all of your voice communications. The newest, Google Voice ( google.com/voiceinvite), which is expected to make its debut in the coming months, links all of your phone numbers to a single number and lets you check messages (including texts) through your email or the Web. It's free except when calling internationally. PhoneTag ( phonetag.com) transcribes voice mails from every number you have and sends them to you as emails or texts. When someone from your contact list sends you a voice mail, you have the option of converting it into an email and emailing them back. The cost varies from $9.95 for 40 messages a month, to $29.95 a month for unlimited messages, or paying 35 cents a message. GotVoice ( gotvoice.com) customers can call in for messages or read them via email or text, but they also have the option of listening to them through an MP3 audio file they get through email or by logging onto the company's Web site. Prices start at $4.95 a month for 20 voice-mail conversions. YouMail ( youmail.com) and SpinVox ( spinvox.com) are other voice-mail-consolidating choices.

Shivani Vora