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You misunderstood my post. Nowhere did I say the savings from not having a land line justifies the cost of a data plan. The bottom line is total amount spent for the phone bill. Whether I have a data plan or not, the $30-40 not spent on land line is paid towards my cell phone bill.
I, for one, am not worried about a measly $30 for unlimited data. I travel a lot. I am able to handle all of my business via my smart phone. It is well worth the $30 for the data plan. There are many times where I would be required to purchase wifi/internet when I am traveling, but with the use of my smartphone, that is not necesscary as I can us my 3g signal. I just came back from a trip across the country. Wifi/internet fees would have easily cost me more than $30 had I gone that route. Now, do you want to argue that point as well????
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Originally Posted by bradykp
i don't think forgoing landline should be used to justify the expense of a monthly data plan. i'm not saying there's anything wrong with getting a smartphone, but this has been mentioned a few times in this thread. the data plan doesn't replace your landline...that's what your voice plan replaced. the data plan is still an added cost. now, if you gave up internet in your home because of the data plan (which maybe some day we will)...then i'd buy that savings.
but right now, for most people a data plan is quite the luxury item. doesn't mean you shouldn't get it if you can afford to and want it. but i think it's a stretch to justify it by giving up your house phone that you didn't need anyways no matter what cell phone you have.
The other thing to not overlook is we are taught to not brag about money. It's not proper to say I have X amount in my retirement, I have x amount in cash and I have no money worries.
Totally okay to complain about the price of gas and your credit cards..... there's no telling how many people do just that, and it makes you think they are strapped, when in fact they aren't.
But it's rude to say that.
Just like when people tell me they feel sorry for me that have to buy groceries on my credit card.... but I use my credit cards to rack up points and pay it off monthly. It's not safe to assume anything.
If a student is carrying a truly expensive piece of technology, my first thought is that it was a gift from Mom & Dad. My parents, who were not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, sent both my brother and I to Europe the summer after we graduated from high school. A couple of iPhones would have been significantly cheaper.
It's quite possible that I have never eaten a single meal in my life in a restaurant in which reservations are required, or maybe even accepted. It is impossible to buy a ticket on line to a sports event within 100 miles of where I live. Last year, I went to two Astros games. Tickets sold at the gate at game time were priced about half of what they were quoted online. OK, if you live in NYC and you're walking around in the MSG neighborhood, and you have an urgent need to get a pair of Knicks tickets for $500 on stub hub for a game that starts in ten minures, I guess it's OK to flash around your iPhone for show.
But that is kind of one point. Smart phones are tools. Some people can get a lot of value out of them because of the types of services / features they provide, some don't. But just because someone uses one on a daily basis, because they find them useful, does not mean they are simply flashing them around for show.
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Originally Posted by Escort Rider
While I agree that near-destitutue people are foolish to worry about what is considered "cool", I don't really understand the cost concerns the OP has, if he's talking about normal people. My sprint phone monthly charge is $79.81, which includes data. That's hardly extravagant spending.
Agreed. - for many people, that amount is not that exhorbitant.
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Originally Posted by tban
It seems like 10 years ago, phone plans barely exceeded $100. Now with smart phones being more prevalent, $200 monthly plans isn't too much for some.
I guess it's like gas for some, whatever the price- just pay for it and take your loss.
Just because something has a certain price attached to it does not mean that people are taking a "loss" because they choose to pay for it. Its like anything else people choose to purchase - if they get what they feel is a good value for the price paid, then it is not a "loss" - its a good deal (for them). Just because you do not see the value in such a purchase does not mean that it has no value for anyone else.
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Originally Posted by ilovemycomputer90
Agreed. I see no reason to replace things that are working perfectly fine.
Why does there have to be a reason for someone to upgrade to something newer when the old [insert product here] may still work just fine. Some people like to buy newer things once in a while. That's not always a bad thing.
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Originally Posted by jkcoop
After reading through all these pages, what I find interesting is that those who don't have a smartphone look down on those who do as being wasteful, shallow, financially irresponsible.
What is important to one person may not be important to another. So what? I could say the same thing about people who pay ridiculous amounts of money each month for cable or satellite. We don't - it's not worth the money to us. We watch free over the air t.v. - but that doesn't make those who do pay for t.v. bad with their money - they just chose to spend their money differently.
Good grief. Strangers are being judged because they have an iphone. Unless you personally know some one and their financial situation, mind your own business - stop worrying about what other people are doing. And even if you do know them, probably best to still mind your own business, unless they are coming and asking you for money to pay for their phone!
The other thing to not overlook is we are taught to not brag about money. It's not proper to say I have X amount in my retirement, I have x amount in cash and I have no money worries.
Totally okay to complain about the price of gas and your credit cards..... there's no telling how many people do just that, and it makes you think they are strapped, when in fact they aren't.
But it's rude to say that.
I know! It's considered just fine to complain and whine about your financial situation, but if you say anything positive, it's considered bragging, and rude? Just WRONG on so many levels, but that's the way it is...
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Originally Posted by Tallysmom
Just like when people tell me they feel sorry for me that have to buy groceries on my credit card.... but I use my credit cards to rack up points and pay it off monthly. It's not safe to assume anything.
Why does there have to be a reason for someone to upgrade to something newer when the old [insert product here] may still work just fine. Some people like to buy newer things once in a while. That's not always a bad thing.
Never said it was a bad thing. I personally just don't see a reason for spending money replacing something that works perfectly fine. I would rather spend the money on other things, save it, or invest it. Of course there are legitimate and practical reasons for purchasing newer items, but not always. I could live without the flat screen tv and newest released cell phone for a while longer.
I agree with ilovemycomputer90 on this one. There's no wrong or right here. People do what they want to do and it's perfectly fine. If you want a new device, and have a means of getting it, go for it.
After reading through all these pages, what I find interesting is that those who don't have a smartphone look down on those who do as being wasteful, shallow, financially irresponsible.
I'd say most, including those of us who don't have smartphones, weren't looking down on others for having smartphones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoop
What is important to one person may not be important to another. So what? I could say the same thing about people who pay ridiculous amounts of money each month for cable or satellite. We don't - it's not worth the money to us. We watch free over the air t.v. - but that doesn't make those who do pay for t.v. bad with their money - they just chose to spend their money differently.
Good grief. Strangers are being judged because they have an iphone. Unless you personally know some one and their financial situation, mind your own business - stop worrying about what other people are doing. And even if you do know them, probably best to still mind your own business, unless they are coming and asking you for money to pay for their phone!
I agree with you for the most part. But it's still interesting to make sociological and economic observations of the world we live in.
yeah, i plan on that. but look at how far "the most basic" phones have come. it's pretty tough to get a basic flip phone. hopefully they'll keep making the "kid" phones which are very dumbed down. but 10 years from now, i can see virtually all phones being sold being smartphones. you can always disable features. but another issue will be that all of their friends will have the nicest phones i'm sure (we do live in NJ, so it's hard to shelter someone lol). so that will be added pressure. maybe i'll move back home to PA where everything is 10 years behind.
Bah! Don't fall into keeping up with the Jones.
Give them one of those big clunky phones from the 90s.
Give them one of those big clunky phones from the 90s.
While that seems financially wise, you're really stunting your childs growth by not giving them access to modern technology. It's fine to hold it back from established adults because innovations will open up less opportunities for them.... but when it comes to children, it's incredibly important to open up every opportunity for them to learn... and that includes exposure to newer technologies.
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I'd say most, including those of us who don't have smartphones, weren't looking down on others for having smartphones. 
