Think you can do this? (Photo: Telekommunist)


So recently my phone died and I was forced to purchase a new one. So immediately I started checking out the best phones out there. After browsing for about one hour time intervals for a few days I looked at the situation from outside the box, coming to my senses and purchasing a pay-as-you-go phone. Now I’m sure some of you would disagree with this decision because it’s just not cool enough or doesn’t have any apps, but I’d like to add in a few arguments of my own.

First the obvious: price.

The numbers are pretty large when you start looking at getting just about anything off of a contract. If you want something even close to being a “cool” phone, it’s going to upward of $400. Now this isn’t a huge chunk of money, but owning a business, I could spend my money in lot more productive areas.

Now price doesn’t stop with just the phone itself. You’re also looking at accessories (now that you’ve got a cool phone), data plans (I have internet in my office), and let’s not forget the almighty apps. So my bill has just reached at least $600 just about any way you look at it (ie. iPhone, Nexus One, etc.). (Note: I didn’t mention the total of a data plan with a two year contract)

Okay lets talk: time.

So now with my new phone I would be able to access the internet anywhere, surf the net in line at the store, and fact check the guy that always seems to outstretch his “did you know’s.” Well guess what else comes with that equation? E-mail. Something I avoid. The last thing I want to do is walk around wondering if I have any new e-mails, or hanging out with my family and passing the time doing pointless emailing. When I get out of the office, I get out of the office entirely, that means no laptop, no work, and certainty no business calls. So far my phone is causing me more of a headache than I thought.

What about buyers remorse?

Now that I have this cool phone guess what happens next? In just a few months, my cool phone just became a relic. You know exactly what happens at this time, it’s time to get a new phone because the Jones just passed you in the slow lane. This is a never ending cycle that get’s you nowhere and thinking about nothing else than what the world thinks of you.

Now for the upside in a pay-as-you-go phone.

Price.

This phone cost me about $60 with shipping. So far I have saved at least $540.

Time.

My phone doesn’t do anything impressive or distracting. I have still saved $540, plus I don’t have work following me around in my pocket.

Buyers Remorse.

Absolutely none. This phone probably won’t even have another version, although I could care less if it did.

Posted on February 6th, 2010