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I am questioning how the iPhone, a device that I consider a luxury, can be so pervasive given the extremely dismal economic fundamentals present in our country today.
I see some people here think the iPhone is a basic necessity, just like food, shelter, clothes on your back etc. but I see it as a luxury item given the cost of operating it. A cell phone may be necessary, but if you're living paycheck to paycheck or don't have a job, or have trouble paying bills then maybe a much cheaper cell plan is more appropriate?
As I said earlier, people are free to do whatever they want with their money but I also hear a lot of complaints about being unemployed, under employed, about how tough it is making ends meet etc.
So when I see so many people wielding iPhones I expect all of them to have good jobs and are financially stable, yet the statistics are so dismal. Either the statistics are wrong or the people are living way above their means...which is it?
That's quite a study. She seems happy without an iPhone in her hands.
I am questioning how the iPhone, a device that I consider a luxury, can be so pervasive given the extremely dismal economic fundamentals present in our country today.
I see some people here think the iPhone is a basic necessity, just like food, shelter, clothes on your back etc. but I see it as a luxury item given the cost of operating it. A cell phone may be necessary, but if you're living paycheck to paycheck or don't have a job, or have trouble paying bills then maybe a much cheaper cell plan is more appropriate?
As I said earlier, people are free to do whatever they want with their money but I also hear a lot of complaints about being unemployed, under employed, about how tough it is making ends meet etc.
So when I see so many people wielding iPhones I expect all of them to have good jobs and are financially stable, yet the statistics are so dismal. Either the statistics are wrong or the people are living way above their means...which is it?
People are living way beyond their means, which is why we're in the mess we are. Excellent post, btw.
Some people. Not all people. Can't have a blanket statement like that.
You're right, but I am the exception rather than the rule. The rule is that most people are living beyond their means and that is the reason we're in the mess we're in. I do not own an iphone, don't need an iphone, will not buy an iphone, etc. I have my hands full just maintaining a home (that is paid for), maintaining a car (that is paid for), taking care of a pool (which is a real pain in the arse and I would not recommend it to anyone), fixing alarm systems (to guard the valuables that are paid for), making sure appliances work, etc, etc.
How can anyone build anything to pass onto their kids or leave to their furry friends or charities when they live from paycheck to paycheck and never accumulate anything of real value?
You're right, but I am the exception rather than the rule. The rule is that most people are living beyond their means and that is the reason we're in the mess we're in. I do not own an iphone, don't need an iphone, will not buy an iphone, etc. I have my hands full just maintaining a home (that is paid for), maintaining a car (that is paid for), taking care of a pool (which is a real pain in the arse and I would not recommend it to anyone), fixing alarm systems (to guard the valuables that are paid for), making sure appliances work, etc, etc.
How can anyone build anything to pass onto their kids or leave to their furry friends or charities when they live from paycheck to paycheck and never accumulate anything of real value?
Your outlook is skewed. You can easily have an iphone and be living within your means.
I don't have an iphone but I do have a smartphone. I own my house outright, my cars outright, no pool, no alarm system (everything valuable is insured), and working appliances that I own. I also have savings, both retirement and nonretirement. I contribute to two charities regularly and volunteer at the red cross. All while being able to afford my smartphone (which is due replacement soon).
I work 5 days a week to afford these things. It's not unusual for people to be able to afford all these.
family plans. also the fact that early Iphones are now dirt cheap.
I dont like to spend much on a phone but even I have one of the blasted things. Mainly because I like to play with the apps and internet and use the GPS. Its a useful phone admittedly.
still.....the issue is not the phone. the issue is the cost of the data plan. the phones are very cheap these days. so the question becomes whether or not one can afford the approximately $30/month, or $360/year. sure, 77% of americans may be living paycheck to paycheck, if that's what the study concluded. that doesn't mean those americans can't afford a data plan. it just means some may be doing it while at the same time not focusing on savings. this may not be intelligent, but it's their choice. i stop at dunkin donuts frequently and i usually spend $3+ when i do. if i stop 3 days a week, 50 workweeks per year, that's $450 a year. way more than my data plan costs me. yet people will focus on folks having an iphone?
cmon. there are numerous monthly expenses we each present ourselves. apple has sold 70M+ phones worldwide. even if those were sold to all americans, still less than 1/4 of americans would have an iphone. who cares?
You're right, but I am the exception rather than the rule. The rule is that most people are living beyond their means and that is the reason we're in the mess we're in. I do not own an iphone, don't need an iphone, will not buy an iphone, etc. I have my hands full just maintaining a home (that is paid for), maintaining a car (that is paid for), taking care of a pool (which is a real pain in the arse and I would not recommend it to anyone), fixing alarm systems (to guard the valuables that are paid for), making sure appliances work, etc, etc.
How can anyone build anything to pass onto their kids or leave to their furry friends or charities when they live from paycheck to paycheck and never accumulate anything of real value?
This is exactly what I'm talking about lol. You seem to insinuate anyone who has a smart phone is living beyond their means but you have a pool. That's a real necessity there.
How much did it cost to put your pool in? Even if you bought a home with a pool chemicals every year will run more than my smart phone plus all the time and effort you have to spend maintaining unless you pay someoen for that to. Plus pools need new filters, liners, etc, etc, etc. My parents had a pool so I know how expensive that is.
You choose to have a pool some of us choose to hav a smart phone. At least my smart phone can make save me money on shoppiong and make me money for business and I could probbly even do a google local search and find a free pool in my area to go to.
I just think its funny you make blanket statements that everyone with a smart phone lives beyond their means but you have the ultimate unnecessary luxury thing a pool.
Some of us have houses we can easily afford, cars that are paid off and can splurge a little on other things.
How do so many people afford landlines? The monthly bill's almost as expensive as Iphone around here at $50/mo (or just as expensive if you use them to make long distance calls.)
It also replace the need for separate GPSs and Cameras.
Being able to compare prices online while you shop comes in handy for being frugal..
It's quite a sweet deal compared to getting a landline.. still doesn't justify having one though. I can get everything I need from a smartphone on my $25/mo Android phone.
How do so many people afford landlines? The monthly bill's almost as expensive as Iphone around here at $50/mo (or just as expensive if you use them to make long distance calls.)
It also replace the need for separate GPSs and Cameras.
Being able to compare prices online while you shop comes in handy for being frugal..
It's quite a sweet deal compared to getting a landline.. still doesn't justify having one though. I can get everything I need from a smartphone on my $25/mo Android phone.
I scrapped our POTS and shifted to VOIP.
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