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But I thought people spending was actually helping the economy. If everybody save every dime and only spend on the bare necessities then wouldn't the economy take a hit somewhere along the way. I'm sure all the millions of smart phone users translate into jobs for many people.
Good point, but it won't fly in the Vortex. Omniscient Vortex has an answer for everything ...
If you want to be nuanced about it (gasp! not nuance!), spending beyond what you can afford to pay (i.e. racking up credit card bills that you can't repay and then defaulting/declaring bankruptcy/etc.) is pretty bad for the economy in the longer term, because you're basically getting stuff for free or near free, and then defaulting on your repayment obligation.
In contrast, spending money that you actually have is good for the economy, because increased demand for goods/services = increased need for people to make/provide those goods/services = more jobs, and also increased sales tax revenue.
You don't get to throw your mantra about family in on every answer, you asked " what did you cut out of your life to save money in order to afford the extra cost?" and that's what I answered! It's not my fault that I have disposable income to apply to whatever I choose...
What I mean is, by relocating, you chose to give up proximity to your family in order to have more money, some of which you choose to spend on a smart phone. I was saying that I consider proximity to family far more important than a smart phone. So I would never relocate in order to afford a smart phone.
Well, the only thing that this thread is proving is that the lines of demarcation for the categories of "necessity", "convenience", "fun/gadget" and "waste of money" are different for everybody. :-)
Would I have a smartphone if money wasn't any sort of problem? Possibly, although I'd be aware that for me it would fall into the category of "fun/gadget"... because there's nothing in my lifestyle that would justify it as any of the 'higher' categories. But given my financial situation it is classified as "waste of money".
Assuming that the average cost of a data plan is around $350/yr, depending on the carrier etc, I took a look at my budget to see what $350 represents. It would be any one of these:
about 20 gas tank fill-ups
50% of a heating oil tank fill-up at this winter's prices
7 weeks worth of groceries
almost an entire year's premium for flood insurance
1 year's worth of water bills
2/3 of a yearly premium for my car insurance
the entire cost of the annual termite contract
10 weeks worth of lawn cutting (because I'm no longer able to do it myself and $35/week is the cheapest I can get it done for), i.e. half the season
It's all about priorities, it doesn't mean that anyone is Right or Wrong or Stupid if theirs are different. Just MHO.
Exactly!! That is the point that I am trying to make!!! I consider proximity to extended family, and the ability to have dinner with my immediate family almost every night to be very high priorities, which I would not give up unless I have absolutely no other choice. Having a smart phone is not a priority. It is something I choose to give up in order to afford to live on Long Island (to have proximity to extended family) and to work on Long Island (so I can have dinner with my wife and future children every night). Again, it is because, to me personally, it is very hard to go without things that I've always had (proximity to extended family, dinner with immediate family every night), but very easy to go without things I've never had (a smart phone). I don't understand why others here don't understand that.
Regardless of what the item, there are always people that will not want, need, desire, etc. it. It is not a question of right or wrong just about preferences or priorities. Years ago many folks could not justify a color tv. Now it is commonplace. My DH is addicted to TV. He "sees" HD. Me......not so much, but I will turn the tv on for news and maybe 2 shows. Put a gun to my head, and I could skip TV entirely, but don't take my computer away from me. DH is just the opposite.
Can I afford a smart phone? Yes. Do I see it as a need? No, not yet. But, I do see myself getting one within the year as more and more I can see it will make my life easier and as I see it, that is the most important aspect to ME. But that too is subjective.
Thank you! I'm glad that somebody understands where I am coming from! I choose to prioritize proximity to extended family, and free time / dinner with immediate family as being more important than a smart phone. If somebody has different priorities, that is fine. But why do so many people on this board not understand that not everybody has the same priorities in life?
But I thought people spending was actually helping the economy. If everybody save every dime and only spend on the bare necessities then wouldn't the economy take a hit somewhere along the way. I'm sure all the millions of smart phone users translate into jobs for many people.
Spending money that you do have is good. Spending money that you don't have is bad. If you don't save enough money, you'll be in trouble when a misfortune happens, such as losing your job, a serious medical problem, damage to your house, plumbing problems, etc. So, if you don't save money, you end up in the category of people who are spending money that they don't have. And, if you don't save for retirement, you're screwed when you are too old to be employable.
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