spending on cell phones?

**disneysteve** · 03-27-2022, 10:16 AM

I spend whatever it costs to get one or two models behind the current model. I don't need the cutting edge latest newest thing.

For a kid, really depends on the age and needs of the kid.

**james.hendrickson** · 03-27-2022, 10:27 AM

I usually get what ever is the cheapest unlimited data plan.

So, I'm paying about $80 per month for a decent model Iphone but that includes unlimited data and a $20 per month cost for payments the last time I bought a phone. Just as an aside, having an emergency fund is great - in case your phone breaks you don't need to get credit from T-mobile or whoever to get yourself a new phone.

**disneysteve** · 03-27-2022, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by LivingAlmostLarge View Post

How long do you keep it for?

I didn't answer this question.

I keep it until it dies or simply doesn't work adequately. I got rid of one phone when Apple stopped supporting it so I could no longer use the apps I needed. I got rid of the next one when it literally came apart from the battery expanding. Currently I'm still using an iPhone 7 but I know it's near the end of its life. The battery doesn't hold a charge very long which isn't a problem at home and work but it's becoming an issue when I'm out and about.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 03-27-2022, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by james.hendrickson View Post

I usually get what ever is the cheapest unlimited data plan.

So, I'm paying about $80 per month for a decent model Iphone but that includes unlimited data and a $20 per month cost for payments the last time I bought a phone. Just as an aside, having an emergency fund is great - in case your phone breaks you don't need to get credit from T-mobile or whoever to get yourself a new phone.

I meant how much do you spend on a phone itself? Not the plan?

**kork13** · 03-27-2022, 12:30 PM

We try to get the best of the "budget" phones... Not flagship level, but still fully capable. Mostly, that's brought us in around $300-$500. We keep our phones until they become impractical due to battery (though we often try to replace batteries), dramatically slow processing speed/capability, or other general "not functioning well & factory resets aren't helping". Normally, that's 3-4 years.

For our kids, I'm planning to get basic flip or candy bar phones. Something cheap that they can use to make/receive phone calls, basic text messaging, and that's about it. I'm not wasting money on a fancy smartphone that they may lose, break, have stolen, etc., much less be a source of neverending distraction & misplaced priorities.

**bjl584** · 03-27-2022, 04:42 PM

My last phone was around $500. I keep my phones until they die, so it doesn't bother me too much to drop several hundred on a phone when it comes time.
I've had my current phone since Dec. of 2019, and it replaced a phone that I got back in early 2015.
4 or so years is about that lifespan that I've personally experienced with smartphones.
At some point, the battery can't handle any more charges, and the hardware becomes too outdated to accept new software updates.

**Magic Johnson** · 03-27-2022, 06:51 PM

I bought an iPhone 11 last October, and I think I paid around $150, but I signed a 2 year contract, with 5GB of data per month, but I can carry over data, and I have 7GB of data in the bank.

**disneysteve** · 03-28-2022, 05:45 AM

Originally posted by Magic Johnson View Post

I bought an iPhone 11 last October, and I think I paid around $150, but I signed a 2 year contrac

That's how we used to get our phones. Then AT&T stopped doing contracts so you have to buy your phone outright.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 03-28-2022, 07:53 AM

Just got our pixel 6 and 6pro. I am just surprised at how many on these messages boards are so frugal. I thought I was the only one so cheap on cell phones and DH too. I'm just surprised that so many aren't using more iphones which get pricey or get them used. I was trying to decide what to get kiddo and we didn't want to green bubbble her because shes' on android and not on imessage.

I'm on android obviously with a pixel but yes a couple years ago I got into it with the jump rope instructor who left me off text threads because i was the one parent not on an iphone. Yep that's how stupid people. I told the instructor what I thought of him about how I was being told by other parents about class instructions but they didn't bothe because they didn't realize i was on it and then they couldn't add me. I was like can you use an android at all?> Answer? no. Yes apple is run on linux but still ugh, to be so ignorant. When I pointed out most of the world on android because of price he had no idea. So normally I wouldn't care but this particular kid I don't want to green bubble (although I am all the time).

**kork13** · 03-28-2022, 08:47 AM

If you want to stick with iphone, the iPhone SE is pretty capable & a less outrageous price ($500ish if I recall correctly?)

**myrdale** · 03-28-2022, 10:21 AM

My current phone is a Motorola Turbo. I believe I spent around $700 in 2015 for it. Last year I spent $80 to replace the battery.

At the end of this month, I am planning on replacing it with a Samsung S22 Ultra. They are in the $1,200 price range. I am still on the fence.

For kids, I think I'd be hard pressed to spend more than $300, and possibly much less than that depending on the child.

**GoodSteward** · 05-18-2022, 06:56 AM

I like tech, it's my weakness. I have an iPhone 13 pro max bought from apple, sold my iPhone 12. My wife has the iPhone 12. This year I plan to get the 14 pro max and give her my 13 pro max (sell or trade the 12). The smaller iPhones don't hold a charge well, so I wanted her to have a bigger one. My son uses the iPhone 11 I got for free from work and my daughter uses an iPhone 11 pro max we got used that she paid half on. They are all paid off.

We all have things we feel are worth the money that others find stupid and a waste.

As a side note, I have found that Gamestop.com is the best place to buy used iPhones. I have purchased three iPhone 11 Pro Maxs from there. I bought my dad one, helped my dad buy my mom one, and bought the one for my daughter there. They are "refurbished" but every one of them has looked new front/back, and came with 92%, 96%, and 100% battery wear, respectively. They also come with a one-year warranty. I highly recommend buying from here for used. Cheaper than Swappa or ebay, and you get the warranty.

Work pays for my cellular service, but the rest of the family is on Visible. Verizon owned prepaid for just $25/m unlimited everything including hotspot.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 05-18-2022, 08:35 AM

I'm looking to get my Dk1 a newer iphone for under $300 having trouble pulling the trigger. Considering she's using a Iphone SE 2016 we got from the parents and it's about to be deprecated I'm not sure what to do. I have never paid for a cell phone for DK. I personally hate iphones but i don't want to green bubble her.

spending on cell phones?