Okay, so I know I don’t need a smartphone. But that didn’t stop me from checking out plans. You know, just in case.
I told my mom it’s the technological equivalent of going and looking at all the cute puppies waiting to be adopted. You know you can’t afford one. But you just can’t help yourself.
And all I can say is… Wow.
The cheapest — CHEAPEST — two-phone plan I found was $120. That’s before the protection plans ($7 a month each) and taxes and fees. So let’s call it $150. Oh, and that’s using the plan with the fewest minutes I could find.
Also, let’s not forget that the smartphones we’d want are $200 each. Most smartphones will run you at least $99, so you might as well get the exact one you want.
Even if we were going to just get one line, we’d still be looking at $70, plus $7 protection plan, plus tax. So let’s call it about $90.
Eesh.
Oh, or we can use Cricket. That company offers $55 a month for unlimited data/text/calling. But you have to pay full price for your phone. So you’d have to keep your $400-500 phone for more than two years or you’re paying about the same. In some cases, you’d actually be paying more.
I know some of you have phones paid for by your work, or at least subsidized by it. I guess then it’s doable.
But otherwise, if I’m going to spend $160 a month for something Tim and I both enjoy… It’s going to be four semi-swanky date nights.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
It is truely amazing to me how times have changed. I have rental property and have noticed a BIG change in folks habits and financial commitments. The biggest surprises in what folks pay per month for college debt…that's more than a car payment and extends for 10 to 15 years. Then the phones….recently I interviewed a client…looking over the application her phone bill AVERAGES $400 per month yet I saw no car payment listed…her answer …."OH I lease my car…..for $399 amonth…did you want that listed?" Crazy times…
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Wow. Just… wow.
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Wow. Just… wow.
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I have a prepaid Net 10 LG smartphone It was $99 0n HSN came w a soft case and a 50 prepaid air card. have had no major problems with net10. for $45 month I get unlimited text phone and internet. I do my banking and google map directions and keep up with websites like yours. I don't check my email just because I get too much junk and I hate having it all over my phone.
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Hmm, well that's something to keep in mind. Thanks, Lynda!
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Hmm, well that's something to keep in mind. Thanks, Lynda!
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Ours were subsidized by work– no break on the phone price, but they discounted or paid an allowance. That's a perk of being on-call. Now that neither of us are on call, but still in IT, smartphones are still a requirement. We do get a good discount on the bill, so that helps.
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I imagine I could rationalize it if we even got a discount on the line. But, alas, that won't happen. Though, since I'd be rationalizing spending money, I guess maybe that's a good thing?
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I imagine I could rationalize it if we even got a discount on the line. But, alas, that won't happen. Though, since I'd be rationalizing spending money, I guess maybe that's a good thing?
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I don't have a smartphone, I just have a land line. I can't justify having any kind of cell phone while I'm unemployed. Maybe when I get another job, if I'm making decent money. (not holding my breath)
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Seems like a smart call, so to speak. We technically have the money, but I'd love to see it go to savings each month instead.
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Abigail Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Seems like a smart call, so to speak. We technically have the money, but I'd love to see it go to savings each month instead.
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When I finally decided to go up to two smartphones, as opposed to just my one, I had to find a discount or I just couldn't stomach the cost. Turns out that Freelancer's Union offers either a 10 or 15% discount for members for T-Mobile and since I was already paying for my parents' phones on Tmobile, I just consolidated all four phones over there. We even negotiated a customized usage plan that was cheaper for us after about a year so that we pay about $160 for four phones (2 smart, 2 regular).
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Abigail Reply:
October 7th, 2012 at 11:30 am
Oh, cool. Good to know, thanks!
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Abigail Reply:
October 7th, 2012 at 11:30 am
Oh, cool. Good to know, thanks!
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For my son's crackberry and my iphone and the unlimited data (which is now limited if you are out of province with your phone) it is $150 a month.
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Abigail Reply:
October 7th, 2012 at 11:31 am
Yeah, that's only a little under what I found for Tim and I.
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Abigail Reply:
October 7th, 2012 at 11:31 am
Yeah, that's only a little under what I found for Tim and I.
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I don't have a smart phone (have too many other uses for that money), but I did save a bundle a few months ago by switching to Ting. They have smart phone service, too.
My AT & T bill was $150ish per month for 3 lines, 700 shared minutes, and unlimited text. Now I'm paying $45 for 3 lines, 1000 shared minutes, 1000 shared texts.
I'm happy with the service, and I'm happy with the $105 trimmed from my expenses.
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The only people who "need" a smartphone are those who's jobs require it….and then I feel that their bosses should pay for them.
Nobody else needs a smartphone.
It is a want, a very pricey want.
Smartphones are the crack of the electronics world.
And I just say no.
I'd rather have a bit more financial security than be a slave to a little gadget.
If that makes me a neanderthal then so be it.
I'm fine with that……or should I say, "grunt, grunt"…
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I can't get my brain around the cost of a smart phone. I was fortunate enough to purchase a Kindle for "free" (thanks to some purchases at Office Depot offering 100% rebates). Any time I feel I must "connect" I can pop into the numerous locations that have free WiFi and log in.
It seems foolish to have the convenience of the smartphone and that huge bill when you can bring your laptop computer or Kindle type device with you and recieve a signal in most locations. Yeah, you have to have access to one of those devices. But if you don't during library hours you can log in there…
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Well, I don't want a smartphone (which means I really really want one because of my easily addicted character flaws that I know would only be increased by having a smartphone), but VirginMobile offers unlimited text, data, and 300 minutes/month for $35.
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