I didn't intend to eavesdrop

[Bidin~Time]

But as i was in the cell store today, a couple came in to attempt to get their out of control cell plan under control.

Since they were right there ---> It was impossible not to hear them explain they had a bill of over 700$ they were struggling to pay and couldn't understand why it was so high. Ok sometimes life happens, ya know? I get that.

As the explanations continued, one of them stated they had been assured their bill would never be over 250$ and they really wanted to resolve the charges so they could upgrade to the new iphone. Two hundred fifty dollars a MONTH for cell service?! that's ridiculous! esp when it puts a cramp in your wallet to pay the bill

It seemed to me they should have been downgrading to a plan they could actually afford, but I'm not about having the bestest and the brightest, just functional.


Other than me being a judgemental ass, what do you think? Is having a cool cell phone worth being broke?

 

[someoneyouknow]

Based on what I've overheard from time to time, and witnessed when I went to pay my cable bill (when I had cable), the answer is yes. People don't seem to grasp basic finances. Or use common sense.

 

[warrior queen]

I have been helping a couple I know organise their finances. They are one step away from bankruptcy.
I mentioned that they might want to reconsider their phone plans, and all hell broke loose! No way in heck will they stop upgrading to the newest and bestest
They pay $130 each for the same as I get pre-paid for $40/month. But my phone isn't the latest and greatest.

 

[Bidin~Time]

Seriously, when you're up against it financially, if you need a cell at all, then one that makes and receives calls and maybe txts should be the goal. The other bells and whistles are unnecessary.

 

[someoneyouknow]

I have been helping a couple I know organise their finances. They are one step away from bankruptcy.
I mentioned that they might want to reconsider their phone plans, and all hell broke loose! No way in heck will they stop upgrading to the newest and bestest
They pay $130 each for the same as I get pre-paid for $40/month. But my phone isn't the latest and greatest.

And this is why I don't help people any more. You try to offer unbiased help, give them the information they need to get out of financial straits or something else and nope, not gonna do it. I once had a similar situation with someone who smoked. They were saying it would be nice to have a few extra dollars to go places.

I did a quick calculation right then and there showing them they were spending well over $1,000/year on cigarettes (this was before the taxes were cranked up like they are now).

They agreed that was a nice sum, then went on smoking.

 

[pollynova]

Seriously, when you're up against it financially, if you need a cell at all, then one that makes and receives calls and maybe txts should be the goal. The other bells and whistles are unnecessary.

I got a Blu phone and use straight talk. The phone was like $60 and it's really nice. And it's $45 a month for unlimited everything. They will slow down your speed if you go over 5 gigs a month, but I've never even come close to that.

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Den

My wife had one of those cheap Walmart phones and she'd buy a roughly $35 card. We never ran out of minutes.
My oldest son has five phones and only needed four for him, wife, his younger brother, and our grand daughter. Yes he's a good boy. We trained him right.

He begged me to take the extra phone. I refused. Finally I agreed and told him it would be our "Kid Phone." I'd only use it to call the three back in the midwest and the one nearby.
Well the free "kid phone" has done so well we decided we didn't need to pay $35 for the other phone card.

So for several years we have a free phone that we can call anyone anywhere within reason FREE. I have no idea how to download pictures, use the internet on it, or text.
After all, it's a phone. I use it to talk to people, but not constantly. I need one hand to drive and the other to jack off!
Long ago we dumped the land line after I won too many cruises, condos, and cemetary lots.

 

[Sean]

Anyone in this day and age that still pays for a phone contract is an idiot.

 

[lovecraft68]

Cell phones is the modern day keeping up with the next guy deal. "Oh, that phone is two years old? Seriously?

One thing I've noticed is the brokest jokes have two things, a new cell phone in their ear and a $10 pack of smokes in their pocket.

Glad I'm just not that cool.

My phone is a samsung that is....ready? Three years old.

All I do is use it for calls and texts and a pic once in a while. IT still works so who cares?

 

[lovetoread]

Eh, I always buy my phone outright as I have to receive work emails 24/7. I refuse to let AT&T finance a phone and charge me forever for that privilege.

 

[pink]

I have straight talk.

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Den

We used to leave the kids with a sitter and go camping for a month at a time. Maybe now and then we'd find a pay phone and call home.
Remember those glass boxes Superman changed clothes in?

When I was a kid mom had to walk two blocks to grandma's to use her phone. How did we survive?

 

[silver gurl]

For me a cell phone is a luxury item and personally not needed. Currently, I do have one but there have been times, when I did not.
I do like it for safety standards when traveling. One thing that I have noticed in Canada is that there are phone booths everywhere, unlike the States.

 

[jomar]

Anyone in this day and age that still pays for a phone contract is an idiot.

Not exactly sure what you mean. I'm on an old school plan and my vendor is always pushing me to update, but when push comes to shove they admit I've got a great legacy deal that no longer exists.

 

[Bidin~Time]

For me a cell phone is a luxury item and personally not needed. Currently, I do have one but there have been times, when I did not.
I do like it for safety standards when traveling. One thing that I have noticed in Canada is that there are phone booths everywhere, unlike the States.

The only reason I give in an have a cell is safety concerns of my family; so I have some form of communication when I'm driving to/from work. No way in hell would I pay the equivalent of a car pmt for a cell. That's just crazy!

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

For how man years have I been saying the same thing?

Poor people are not poor because of Capitalism.
Poor people are not poor because of oppression.
Poor people are not poor because of rich people.
Poor people are not poor because of racism.

Poor people are most generally poor because they make bad decisions.
Poor people are most generally poor because they don't learn anything from their bad decisions.
Poor people are most generally poor because they get locked into their lifestyle and cannot change it because it takes them out of their comfort zone.

 

[Lancecastor]

How much are you paying per pound for bananas?

 

[warrior queen]

Not exactly sure what you mean. I'm on an old school plan and my vendor is always pushing me to update, but when push comes to shove they admit I've got a great legacy deal that no longer exists.

I am on a pre-paid contract that rolls over unused data - one that expired early 2013 (as in, no longer available), but because I always recharge on day 27 and don't let it lapse, I still have it and they can't cancel. The telco I'm with no longer rolls data on their new plans.
Right now, I have 28G of available data on my phone, along with unlimited calls and texts, and unlimited social media.
I'm happy.

 

[pensivepoet]

I was in line at Wal Mart. The couple in front of me had 3 young ratty looking kids with them.
In the cart was a big screen tv~nothing else.
They tried 5 credit cards.
All failed.
They had to put it back.
Really? You have kids, no money, but you rolled the dice on the giant tv.
Oy

 

[ryan8558]

I was in line at Wal Mart. The couple in front of me had 3 young ratty looking kids with them.
In the cart was a big screen tv~nothing else.
They tried 5 credit cards.
All failed.
They had to put it back.
Really? You have kids, no money, but you rolled the dice on the giant tv.
Oy

The credit cards may not have been theirs.

 

[RobDownSouth]

For how man years have I been saying the same thing?

Poor people are not poor because of Capitalism.
Poor people are not poor because of oppression.
Poor people are not poor because of rich people.
Poor people are not poor because of racism.

Poor people are most generally poor because they make bad decisions.
Poor people are most generally poor because they don't learn anything from their bad decisions.
Poor people are most generally poor because they get locked into their lifestyle and cannot change it because it takes them out of their comfort zone.

And you work an hourly job stocking shelves on the night shift.
What is YOUR excuse, Chief?

 

[Bidin~Time]

I work an hourly job on night shift. What's your point?

 

[Bidin~Time]

How much are you paying per pound for bananas?

53 cents

 

[RobDownSouth]

I work an hourly job on night shift. What's your point?

You don't routinely brag about your stock market prowess, the amount of gold in your personal horde and your three black belts in karate.