Background photo credit goes to Andres Rueda
With the announcement of the release of the new Apple iPhone 4s I am seeing A LOT of chatter on about it. I think in the past 2 hours I have seen, at least half a dozen people say they have pre-ordered one or two of them.
I have seen a few people say that they were eligible for an upgrade and only had to pay $150 for it. I’ve also read some tweets stating that people are getting the phone early because they just can’t pass up on new technology.
I’m ashamed to see that even my fellow Personal Finance Bloggers are ordering this wonder gadget!
I can’t help but wonder how many people are spending money that they should not be spending.
I have a Blackberry Torch, which at one point was considered the top of the line for Blackberry. However, I bought it for ONE CENT when I was eligible for an upgrade and it is refurbished. My last Blackberry was over three years old before it was retired.
Is the constant influx of new technology aiding in our nation’s debt crisis?
It is certainly helping the economy but at what cost for the consumer?
After my past weekend I have been coveting an iPad. My fellow bloggers were using them in mass and they were amazing. I have seen fellow grad students using them as well for taking notes and they are really amazing. I’m lugging around a very heavy Dell Inspiron (by the way, NEVER buy a Dell Inspiron!). I’ll be honest, an iPad would make my life so much easier and cause less stress on my shoulder (I’m actually developing neck pain on the side I carry it on!).
If I were to purchase one, I’d be dipping into money that I don’t need to be dipping into, my emergency fund. And that is just too valuable to me at this time. I’m hoping that freelancing, blogging and my Amazon Gift Cards from Swagbucks brings me some extra funds so that maybe I can save up for the iPad. But for now, it’s just not a smart decision and I have learned my lesson about spending frivolously.
I surely hope that those in debt are not swayed by the newest technology and are being smart. Doing so is truly a What NOT to Do in my book!
Have you ordered a new iPhone 4s? Are you being smart about the purchase of it?
If you like what you are reading, sign up to
Twitter:
on October 7, 2011 at 1:51 pm
I am actually on hold right now regarding my iPhone 4S preorder. And I agree, I could be doing better things with the $200 I just spent.
My son has been begging for an iPhone and wants to pay for the data out of his allowance, which he earns for doing chores around the house. So I decided to spend $200 from my Christmas fund to get the new phone for myself, and I’m giving him the phone I have now as part (most) of his Christmas.
Am I justifying the purchase? Yep. But I’m okay with it since it’s money I already put aside. And that’s one less Christmas gift to shop for.
Andrea @SoOverDebt(Quote)
I can see some of your points on the justification. It’s easier for me to think you are nuts, but I have young boys who aren’t begging for an iPhone. While they are 8 and 5 I can sit here and say “hell no you aren’t getting an iPhone, EVER.” But I may change my mind when they are older.
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
Twitter:
on October 7, 2011 at 2:55 pm
I’m so not ordering an iPhone 4S. I bought my iPhone 3GS right when it came out, and I wish I’d waited until it was a little cheaper. It works just fine and does everything that the new one does, aside from Siri. And, really – I am not going to talk to my phone to get it to do something for me. That’s way too “Hello Computer” for me.
I think I’ll stick with my “old” iPhone until it’s completely dead – which hopefully will be many, many years from now.
Little Miss Moneybags recently posted..
Little Miss Moneybags(Quote)
Good thinking! I think that’s a very wise decision. I always wait on new technology for the price to go down and to see if all the kinks have been worked out. I don’t mind having an older version. Hell, my iPod is a first gen. 56K shuffle for goodness sake!
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
I’m a technology guy (I’m a software engineer for cryin’ out loud), but I don’t subscribe at all to the “gotta have the biggest, best, fastest.” I have a desktop computer at home that I use as an email server only (that I’m about to shut down for good), and our laptop’s ’8′ and ‘T’ keys fall off frequently. yeah, I need a new computer….but I’m still lookin’ for the best deal.
Oh, and I’ve never paid a cent for a cell phone. I wait until I’m eligible for a handset upgrade (t-mobile), and always get the free one!
Travis @Debtchronicles recently posted..Financial Blogger Conference – Let’s Build Something Together!
Travis @Debtchronicles(Quote)
you are doing the right thing with the phone Travis. I did get addicted to the smartphones for awhile but now, I could go back to a regular phone and be just fine. It’s not a necessity at all. Should this phone ever die, I’ll go back to one of my older phones and drop my data plan to save even more money.
PS. I can get you a great deal on a used Dell Inspiron,
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
Hi I’m a new reader to your blog from somewhere across the world.
I’m fortunate to not have been bitten by the new technology bug in most cases since I’m really an old technology dinosaur. However I have been trying out my dad’s iPad and oh man! Am I hooked! These few weeks I have been totally lusting for one.
The upfront cost is not so much an issue with me, but I hate incurring recurring bills, and I would have to create a new line in my budget to accommodate a data package, and that would so totally mess up my budget! So I continue to lust and kidnap my dad’s iPad when I get the chance!
Miss JJ(Quote)
I’d be borrowing all the time if I could as well. I don’t think I would do a data package. I’d probably just stick to wifi on the iPad. That cuts out some of the extra costs. I really, REALLY want one but I am keeping myself in check, thusfar.
Welcome to my blog! I hope you’ll be sticking around.
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
Twitter:
on October 8, 2011 at 3:51 pm
I don’t have an iPhone, though I did decide to get an iPod touch recently. That has filled my need for apps so far and I don’t think I’ll be getting an iPhone anytime soon.
I know I can definitely wait on getting an iPad, only because I think it is completely unnecessary and just a fun toy.
LaTisha @YoungAdultFinances.com recently posted..All Cap, Small Cap, Mid Cap, HUT!
LaTisha @YoungAdultFinances.com(Quote)
I think I can find far more use for an iPad than an iPhone. But the iPad would mostly be taking over the place of a laptop that is failing me. My phone does not fail me at all. I’ll be a Blackberry for awhile still.
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
I definitely could do without spending on a new iPhone – however the attraction of a shiny new toy is too much for me and am again being sucked in to an upgrade.
I am a self confessed Apple addict and cannot seem to help myself.
sammie recently posted..Where Can I Find For Christmas
sammie(Quote)
I am in no position to judge anyone, I’ve certainly been sucked into spending money in places that I shouldn’t be. I just hope those who are, including you, are doing it wisely!
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)