Well, I did it. I went against everything I had said previously, my declaration to society, and a promise made to myself to wait until I paid off my student loan. I got an iPhone.
Allow me to explain.
I have wanted a smart phone for a really long time, and
particularly an iPhone. I didn’t care whether it was the 4, the 4S, or the 5. I
just wanted to be able to look stuff up on Google whenever I wanted and have a
GPS at all times. However, my carrier would require a $30 data charge on top of
what I was previously paying ($60), and $90 seemed like way too much for a cell
phone bill at this point in my life. Not wanting to switch carriers (I
explain why here), I chose to wait until my student debt was paid before I
added another expense to my monthly bills. I announced to my friends, family,
and the world via blog what my plan was, and I intended to stick to it. That
was until my phone started messing up.
Right after my blog, my flip phone, which I have had for almost 2
½ years, started giving out. I became increasingly frustrated that people on
the other end could barely hear me despite how loud I talked. I was trying to
make it work, and I honestly intended to until my loan was paid (which,
honestly, could have taken a couple of years or ten).
I received a message from my carrier’s marketing department which
offered the iPhone 5 for $100 and $60 a month. I was pretty excited about this
offer, but like most people, I wondered about all the strings attached. I
picked up the phone, got some information, and was surprised to learn that it
was a legit offer, but I forgot to ask about added fees. I was frustrated
enough with my phone and it was a deal I could not pass up. I made plans to get
the phone, and I was so excited!
Sometimes life doesn’t always turn out the
way you think it will, and most of the time, it is better.
Here’s what I ended up with:
An iPhone 5 (enter ridiculous amount here)
$42 per month with insurance
Unlimited talk, text, and data (first 500 mb = 4G)
And… T-Mobile instead of Verizon
Why? Well, it was a deal I couldn’t pass up. The phone was a gift,
but even if it was an expense out of my pocket, look at what I am saving each
year:
If I stuck with my flip phone another year, which realistically
wouldn’t last, I’d pay $720.
Over the next year, with insurance (which I didn’t have with
Verizon) I’ll pay $504 with T-Mobile.
If I got the Verizon iPhone, I wouldn’t get insurance because it
would be an added expense, and I’d be looking at paying around $780 a year with
hopes that my phone does not mess up because iPhones are not covered the same
way as a regular phone would be under warranty.
I mentioned previously about not wanting to switch carriers
because I loved Verizon’s service, and that is honestly still true. But at this
point in my life, T-Mobile saves me money and does what it is intended to do
which is provide methods of communication. I’m glad I have a reliable way to
contact someone because while my old phone might have had great service, it
could have given out at any moment.
For those of you out there who are debating on how to save money
with your phone service, do your research! Many employers offer discounts for
particular cell phone carriers, and some will even pay for all or part of the
bill. I am definitely happy to be saving money!
