The Vent and Rant Thread

[Jessica Lares]

So, my new years resolution this year was to cut back on a lot of spending. I got rid of Audible, I got rid of some other subscriptions, and I'm saving a good chunk of money already after doing so.

My next step is to go on prepaid, and I already got a feature phone and am loving it (Last years Nokia 301 - Great camera, easy to sync my Mac stuff, and overall pretty "smart" for a basic phone, 256 MB of internal space even, CRAZY!!!! ).

My parents just bought my little brother his first phone, the iPhone 5C, and they're really pushing me to go back to a smartphone simply because they feel bad that he has one and I don't. They're willing to pay for the first few months AND the phone.

To make up for not having a smartphone, I bought a 64GB iPod Touch (5th gen) refurbished from Apple last month. I am loving it so far, especially that 64GB that fits ALL my music I've ever bought and will buy in the future, my audiobooks, my huge Evernote stash of notes, ebooks, and photos.

So I've got everything under control, and am ready to save the $600+ by not signing another contract. Yet, they're pushing me to do so. because they think I'm going to be jealous of a 12 year-old.

I've had five smartphones at this point. The iPhone 2G, the iPhone 4, Samsung's Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, and a Huawei and Windows Phone to finish my current contract because the phone broke within a year. These last two years have been a total nightmare because of the S2. The Windows Phone was nice, but I was just tired at that point.

I only use 30 minutes every month. 30. I don't text, I don't Facebook, I don't Twitter, I don't use Netflix, I don't use Google Maps, I don't browse, I just take notes, journal, balance my spending, track my walking, listen to music, read, take pictures, and play a few games.

I really don't think it's worth paying $60 a month for that. Especially when feature phones are so robust now that they play nice with CardDAV, etc. It's really nice to type all the information up on my Mac and then push it over Bluetooth to my Nokia and it automatically knowing what to do with it.

Since 2007, if I've learnt anything, it's that there's a lot of things that $60/mo will buy you instead of a useless smartphone plan, and I am so glad to be only 25 to realize that.

My parents, however, think I'm nuts.

[nohmi2]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

So, my new years resolution this year was to cut back on a lot of spending. I got rid of Audible, I got rid of some other subscriptions, and I'm saving a good chunk of money already after doing so.

My next step is to go on prepaid, and I already got a feature phone and am loving it (Last years Nokia 301 - Great camera, easy to sync my Mac stuff, and overall pretty "smart" for a basic phone, 256 MB of internal space even, CRAZY!!!! ).

My parents just bought my little brother his first phone, the iPhone 5C, and they're really pushing me to go back to a smartphone simply because they feel bad that he has one and I don't. They're willing to pay for the first few months AND the phone.

To make up for not having a smartphone, I bought a 64GB iPod Touch (5th gen) refurbished from Apple last month. I am loving it so far, especially that 64GB that fits ALL my music I've ever bought and will buy in the future, my audiobooks, my huge Evernote stash of notes, ebooks, and photos.

So I've got everything under control, and am ready to save the $600+ by not signing another contract. Yet, they're pushing me to do so. because they think I'm going to be jealous of a 12 year-old.

I've had five smartphones at this point. The iPhone 2G, the iPhone 4, Samsung's Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, and a Huawei and Windows Phone to finish my current contract because the phone broke within a year. These last two years have been a total nightmare because of the S2. The Windows Phone was nice, but I was just tired at that point.

I only use 30 minutes every month. 30. I don't text, I don't Facebook, I don't Twitter, I don't use Netflix, I don't use Google Maps, I don't browse, I just take notes, journal, balance my spending, track my walking, listen to music, read, take pictures, and play a few games.

I really don't think it's worth paying $60 a month for that. Especially when feature phones are so robust now that they play nice with CardDAV, etc. It's really nice to type all the information up on my Mac and then push it over Bluetooth to my Nokia and it automatically knowing what to do with it.

Since 2007, if I've learnt anything, it's that there's a lot of things that $60/mo will buy you instead of a useless smartphone plan, and I am so glad to be only 25 to realize that.

My parents, however, think I'm nuts.

Personally, I think that you are being extremely sensible.

I have had my mobile for the past three years, and use it as seldom as possible. I have only given my number to three people who I know will not 'phone me on it just to 'shoot the breeze'. When I am out and about- then I'm out.

I too have the iPod5 for the same reasons which you stated.

Imagine what you can do with $720.00 in a years time?

Cheers

[ProfCrash]

We moved to pay as you go plans $100 for 1,000 minutes. I never used the minutes I had so it was a waste of $40 each month. No real need for a smartphone so why pay for an expensive phone or data plan. I have other things to spend money on.

[Stitchawl]

Different lifestyles... I use my smartphone 10-20 times a day (only 2-3 phone calls though) and now would be lost without it. But I only pay about $12 a month for 5Gig download service and unlimited calls.


Stitchawl

[ProfCrash]

Stitch, if I could pay that much I would probably have one. I am not willing to pay $400-$600 for a phone plus a data plan. I have the internet at home and work. I have a GPS system and map book in my car. I can call up directions on my iPad at home and cut and paste them into a word document as back up.

I think we forget that 10 years ago we all lived just fine without these things. Heck, my parents survived without pagers, cell phones, and email. I am sure that there are people here who wish that their bosses or customers couldn't get in touch with them 24-7.

I use my cell phone for basic communication and that works for me. I don't need internet connectivity on demand and I don't want it. (Shrugs)

[kindlekitten]

unfortunately due to the nature of my business I need to be able to have connectivity, the best possible, 24x7, because the nature of the beast is that customers will just move on if they don't feel you are the best of the best

[Jessica Lares]

Yeah, if I could pay even just $20 a month, I'd still go for one too. But it's ok. I don't want to be stuck in a family plan again, I'll end up paying for everyone instead of just my share.

My brother went ballistic when he saw that they got him a 5C. He has been going non-stop about how much he hates it, how much he wants to have the same 5S that apparently everyone else has. He even told everyone on Xbox Live this over the headset.

He's so angry, that he hasn't even bothered to use it, instead opting for his half-broken 4th gen iPod Touch again.

Woke up this morning to him arguing with my parents about it. They are so frustrated with him.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Stitch, if I could pay that much I would probably have one. I am not willing to pay $400-$600 for a phone plus a data plan.

I certainly wouldn't spend that sort of money either!

I think we forget that 10 years ago we all lived just fine without these things. Heck, my parents survived without pagers, cell phones, and email.

We lived well without bicycle helmets, safety caps on aspirin bottles, deodorant soap, too. We just live more comfortably with them.

I am sure that there are people here who wish that their bosses or customers couldn't get in touch with them 24-7.

One of the features that I really appreciate on the smart phone is the fact that I can screen calls, block calls, and even have distinctive ring tones for different people so I don't even have to LOOK at the phone to decide if I want to answer. I would NOT permit the personal intrusions that some people put up with, having employers or customers call them 24/7. I'd take a different job first!

I use my cell phone for basic communication and that works for me. I don't need internet connectivity on demand and I don't want it. (Shrugs)

As I said originally, 'different lifestyles.' When I have a 'question,' I want an immediate answer. I don't want to have to wait to go home, or go to the library, etc., etc., to get an answer. When I'm sitting under a tree playing my guitar with friends, and we have a question about the correct chord in a song, or the history of a piece of music, I want to know right then and there. When I'm driving and get lost (which happens to me often the way I live ) I want to know how to get to Point B, or at least, how to return to Point A, and love the simplicity of finding out. When shopping in a country where I don't speak enough of the language to make my needs known (which also happens to me often the way I live,) I love the fact that with a few button presses, I can show the shop keeper a picture of exactly what I want.

This instant availability of information is the most wonderful 'tool' I've ever been able to use. The phone part of it is the least used tool in the toolbox. I don't play games on it. I usually don't connect to social media on it (that's for when I'm at home, like now...7am and getting ready for the day.) These days, if I forget my smartphone, it's as if I've forgotten my knife. (I'm guessing you don't carry a knife either, right? ) I feel naked and missing important tools that help me get through the day. And fortunately, here in Thailand, it isn't breaking my piggy bank.

Stitchawl

[WT Sharpe]

From where do these damn sea gulls come? I go out to feed our neighborhood birds and the first and only ones to scarf up the goodies are the gulls. I don't live on the waterfront, but I knew even though there wasn't one in the sky when I went out that they would show. Do they use hidden cameras or something? ESP? Stool pigeons?

[speakingtohe]

Seagulls are pretty smart and range far and wide. It used to amuse me to watch them somehow get a clam from the beach and fly up and drop it on a rock to open it. Plus they don't seem to tear apart your garbage like the crows/ravens do.

I used to watch the crows in Inuvik trying to eat out of an overfull dumpster. The smart crows would fly up and get the food, the majority would sit on the lid and try to keep the others from getting the food while getting none themselves.

Perhaps a bird feeder would solve your problem. Most gulls are to big to perch comfortably on one.

Helen

[WT Sharpe]

They are very smart birds who have very little fear of humans. They'll survive where others won't because they're intelligent, hard-working, and brave. And whenever they find food, they call to their friends. Hmmm... seems like there's a moral in there somewhere.

I gave up and fed just them.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

...Perhaps a bird feeder would solve your problem. Most gulls are to big to perch comfortably on one.

Helen

I'm not interested (now at least) in feeding birds year around, but I did buy bread especially for them today because of the blanket of snow on the ground this week.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I'm not interested (now at least) in feeding birds year around, but I did buy bread especially for them today because of the blanket of snow on the ground this week.

Ahh! You are just a softy Good for you.

Helen

[poohbear_nc]

We have bird feeders year round - made special trips this week to keep them filled - the birds emptied them in 1 day - Stella watches them through the sliding glass deck doors - sort of "big screen TV" for cats.

[Hitch]

OMG! OMG!

Amazon has shipped something to me ONE WHOLE DAMN DAY LATE! 4 whole somethings! I don't CARE if Atlanta is snowed in; I don't CARE if thousands of small children and other humans are trapped in automobiles on freeways, freezing to death, coated with ice, having to pee by the side of the road, I want my damn vitamins! RIGHT NOW!

They've BROKEN A CONTRACT WITH ME!

Oh, the HUMANITY!




Hitch
I'm ranting, because that "freeze it now, use it later" cookbook just couldn't get past the refrigerated South so I could use it in time. Yes, the irony is just too...ironic.