Yes I know this isn't a surprise. I've blogged about it in passing, I've tweeted it and plain just said it out loud. I want an iphone.
I can't help but play with other people's phones and envision one for myself and all the ridiculous and useless apps I can get. I want an iphone.
But... I've never paid over $100 for a phone before. And right now it's looking like the new schnazzy pants 3GS would cost me about $200 something, just for the phone!
On top of that my monthly phone bill right now is about $45 and I love it. So cheap, so easy, so nice. And if I join the iphone world my bill is sure to be about $90 to $100 or something. That's more than twice what I'm paying now.
But I want an iphone.
On top of it all Matt's been out of work for the past two months due to his back injury so that's not so hot. And umm we have a wedding next year that I should be saving for. And yeah, I'm traditionally a saver more than a spender.
But man I really want an iphone.
So tell me friends, what should I do? Suck it up, go to one less movie, order one less drink and get myself the most glorious phone around or be a smart saver and wait a bit longer to have the internet and cool apps at my fingertips 24/7?
What would you do? Please help.
happy thursday!
38 comments:
OH MY GOD. I know EXACTLY how you feel! I'm a weather maniac and Iphone is the only one that has live radar. But not only does it have that amazing feature, it shows your texts back and fourth in order, so there is no inbox and outbox, each text is played like a conversation! To me that is a huge advantage! I hate having to go back to remember what I texted someone...
It sucks not being able to throw out the extra cash for such great features. But I say, hey, if you really want one and you are comfy with cash--GO FOR IT! But..you have a wedding to plan. Make someone get you that as a wedding gift (pay for the plan for one year?) Just an idea!
sorry for rambling ;)I have just had simaliar thoughts!
-Tessa
Tea for tessa's idea to make someone get it for you as a wedding gift is a pretty good idea... except aren't all wedding gifts supposed to be usable by both bride and groom? I don't know if a really rad phone quite falls in that category.
I'm having the same issue -- I really want to the new 3GS but I don't know how I feel about paying $200 for it right now. I suggest skimping on a few things occasionally and just saving up. That's what I'm doing at least.
--Valorie
God, they're so fantastic. It's just amazing that there literally is an application for anything you could possibly want. It would make life so easy. But it IS so expensive. Make a list of everything else you like that you could buy for that amount, and then see if you still want it. If you do, put some money aside every week and treat yourself!
I have always wanted an iPhone so badly, but I don't have it in me to make the switch to AT&T from Verizon. That being said, I had a similar dilema with getting a Blackberry- was I ready to have my monthly payments go up when I need to save money.
I took the plunge and I am happy. The other day I was driving in an unfamiliar area and I needed to find a grocery store and google maps found one for me. Yesterday I spent a day in a waiting room and I answered emails that had been sitting forever.
I answer comments, I accept friendships on Facebook instead of letting them pile up.
In a way, it has made me more efficient.
So I think I'd say, if you want it that bad, skip a few meals out :)
Definitely cut back in other areas for a bit to get one. That's what we did and I've never loved a phone so much!
The i phones are really cool, but there are other cheaper phones that have similar features. I have the lotus and I love it. The square shape makes it easier to hold and it does the back and forth text thing that Tessa said.
I vote for saving. Weddings are expensive and you don't want to be in the position of saying "I wish I had $1200* more dollars and then I could get that freakin' sweet ice luge angel fountain" (*yearly cost of i phone bill, if your estimations are correct)
try to see if you can find an old 2G on craigslist or something.
Im sure you can find something cheaper.
Definitely get an iPhone! I love mine! I really really really love it. Can't imagine life without it now.
I'm in the exact same boat. I really don't use my phone that much for talking and texting but I would love to have the internet at my fingertips and the iPhone really is SPECTACULAR!! I just don't know if I can justify the expense. I've contemplated giving up my home phone and getting one of those MagicJack things from Best Buy that are like $19.95 a year, but that still doesn't help that much. Aaaaaggghhh, it is so tempting!
I'm with Matt. You don't need a 3G to enjoy the iPhone. If you save money on the phone, you might feel better about footing the bill.
i say if you really really want it get it. usually when i want something but money is an issue i leave it alone for a while and if i still want it/find myself thinking about it i just get it. lifes too short and like you said you could probably have one less drink a week or so and that will offset the cost :)
i LOVE my iPhone (3G) - best thing ever.
Perhaps you get the 3G which is now just $100? I have the 3G and the MAIN difference between it and the 3GS is that the camera doesn't zoom and it doesn't have a video recorder. but i mean, if you're coming from a phone that practically has none of those kind of features anyways the 3G will still be a huge step up.
See if you can find any older one if you want to save a bit. I don't know, if I were you, I'd get one whether it is a new one or an older one. I'm an addict.
I can't remember life before my iPhone!
My sister is going through the same dilemma. She desperately wants an iphone, but it afraid of the costs & stressing about switching to AT&T. So I totally know what you're going through.
I'm in no position to give my $0.02 on the matter because I don't see what all the fuss is about with the iphone. But you have my sentiments, because I know how it is to want something SO BAD just because it's freakin' cool. :]
I really like my blackberry and it's cheaper.
oh miss Katelin, I am in the same boat. I WANT AN iPhone SO BAD! Actually, I have an apple gift card, so I could technically get the phone for free, but still. The bill each month is so expensive especially considering my mom pays my phone bill on Sprint right now. So I'm trying to be responsible and restrain myself from buying the phone. As soon as I have a job though, you can bet that I'm getting that phone!!
I would say one less movie, one less drink, etc. here and there so that you know you've been saving up for it and can feel good about the purchase!!
I want one too, but I have Verizon and don't plan on switching, so that's how I save the money and confusion!
Hi miss.
So I gave in and got the 3GS when I discovered my old Verizon phone had no service and sucked for trying to speak to potential job interviewers. Also, I figured for my purposes - if I ever get to commute, having the ability to do work on the phone would be important.
Yeah, it is expensive - I get a discount because of where I work (on the plan, that is), and I'm on a family plan with my mom, so that makes my monthly payment cheaper than it would have been had I gone on a plan by myself.
But at the same time, it is lovely being able to keep track of conversations, and access the internet, and such. See if you qualify for the upgrade (the apple website can tell you that), and then most stores have tons of 3g's in stock - which you can easily pick up for 99 bucks. Again, the biggest differences are the video camera, more mega pixels, voice control, and a faster processor within the phone. (Can you guess where I work?)
Anyhow, e-mail me if you have any questions. It's a great device, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary - though for your purposes, you might be able to see if you can use it for work or write it off for work - social networking 24/7, versus when you're at work only, ya know?
On one hand, I'm on my way to work on the bus, reading and commenting on your blog, with my iPhone. Obviously I like this thing. But if I wasn't on my parents family plan and only have to pay them the 45 dollar iPhone-related expenses, then I probably wouldn't have this phone.
I would save some money for the wedding if you're really on the fence. Maybe you can hint to Matt that his wedding present to you should be an iPhone!
This may sound crazy, but add it to your registry or your shower wish list... why not?? after all a bridal shower is FOR THE BRIDE..right? A couple of friends could go in on the cost of one...
If it has gone down in price once, it'll do it again. I have a fancy phone and while I LOVE it, I think you should go with your instincts and be financially conservative. It will be so WORTH it to have better wedding favors, etc. for the money you could've saved were it not for the Iphone.
I am in this EXACT SAME predicament. My sister just got one and loves it, my dad loves his (even though it's the older version) and I just keep imagining myself with one. Not easy!
And I know I should be saving as well.
So I can't give you advice since I am seeking advice myself, haha! But I feel your pain. Oy.
Well, back in the day I paid... a lot more for my iPhone. I cry a little inside when I hear about the prices now. But for me it was TOTALLY worth it! My monthly bill is a little lower because I don't have the 3G, but I adore the iPhone beyond all words and recommend it to anyone who enjoys technology, emailing, texting and easily navigable internet access.
I decided I'm going to take the plunge.
I got an LG Vu which has some of the capabilities (internet, touch screen, etc), but it really blows. After all the mess of the current phone, I decided it's going to be worth it to pay a little more for something that is going to last and do all the things I want to.
Besides, Katelin, you can't go wrong with the iWedding application!! I think that will make it worth your while!
200bucks for iphone there? HOLYYY it costs around 700 to 800 bucks over hereeee, and people still buy it.
I'm sticking with blackberry for now.
Here's what I would do: cut back on a few monthly expenses to cover the phone bill, and ask for people to contribute to your iPhone fund instead of Christmas and birthday gifts this year. That's what I did!
do it!!!!
Wait a couple months and see if the price goes down at all!
I love your blog - I've been reading it ever since I saw you in blogs of note... I am having the SAME dilemma! I just want it SO bad!!!!!!
I have no advice to give seeing as how I am CONSTANTLY going back and forth too! I can't stand it!!
I don't know if this will be of great help, but here's my opinion:
You should ask yourself if you really need a phone to be online 24/7.
I work on a computer all day and have Internet access pretty much 24/7 anyways, so I couldn't really justify an Iphone for the current price right now (even though I really want one, too!).
Also, I didn't want to make the switch from Verizon to AT&T and so I went with the "cheaper version" - the LG Dare, to try things out.
I have used the Internet occasionally on my phone when I was traveling and DIDN'T have my laptop with me. Other than that, it's just a phone. Really.
I thought I wanted an iphone too, then after experiencing some ATT customer service I decided against it. I didnt want to pay $100 a month. In the end I got a phone that I paid $20 for and I love it. I dont want internet access at my fingertip. Lately I've been disconnecting more and I love it. Good luck with your decision!
I have felt this way since the iPhone first came out but I refuse to leave Verizon for AT&T so here I sit with a Blackberry. I love it, but it is no iPhone.
PLEASE Verizon and Apple make sweet love!! I need an iPhone!!
i'm with verizon right now and refuse to make the expensive switch over to AT&T just so i can be on the internet 24/7, rather than 20/7. there are talks right now between apple and verizon for a release of the iphone on verizon's network early 2010, so i'm just holding out for that. plus, my current plan will end right about when they're talking about making this happen, so it'll be an easier switch.
Girl, get the iPhone.
I want one soooooooo bad. So, I totally saved up and and getting out of my Blackberry contract to get one. Canceling old contract + new contract + phone = waaaay to much to pay for a phone.
BUT. I really, really want it. So, I can empathize.
Based on our Vegas poolside chat, I think you should get it. That said, I'm on the same situation there too. I want it SO BAD but AT&T sucks in Chicago and I can't afford the upgraded plan.
I vote to buy the phone! It'll be a nice treat for yourself and it's only money!
Hmmm. I would say save the $$/spend it on something else. ;) But that's just because I could care less about phones. I just pick out whatever phone is free when it comes time to renew my service plan/get a new phone. I dunno, I don't think the $200 down + double the phone bill is worth it. Good luck with your decision!
I say save, just because of the wedding coming up... Stick it out a little bit longer. I'm sure those saving will come in handy when you wan a little extra something on your cake, or a few more flowers, or something else that would make your special day more memorable.
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