How can you stop phone solicitors from calling?

Whether you can stop unwanted marketing calls depends on where you live. In some places you can place your name on a register of people who don't want to receive marketing calls.

Otherwise, always look at the incoming number. If the number is withheld, why bother answering it? If they don't want you to know who's calling you, you might as well not bother finding out.

If you don't want to be disturbed for any reason, turn off your phone. Anyone who really needs to contact you will call back, or leave a message.

If the number calling is not someone you know, you don't have to answer it. Again, let them leave a message.

Encourage your friends to email you, or leave text or other messages for you; they won't take it personally if you explain you'll be studying, or working, or sleeping, or perhaps that you've been bothered by nuisance calls. Tell them if they leave a message you'll call back as soon as you receive it.

Remember: you don't have to take calls.