Unnecessary Necessities ?

[Fishindude77]

One thing I see a huge amount of money wasted on by folks that shouldn't be wasting money is IT type expenses. The cost of smart phones for the entire family, high speed internet service at the house, the monthly cable or satellite TV bill, Netflix, etc. can add up to a pretty significant expenditure for families each month.

It's nice stuff, and those of us that have had it for a long time would be stunned for a bit if we had to do without, but far as I know you can still live comfortably without all of that stuff. There are plenty of seniors around that were never exposed to it and have gotten by fine without these luxuries.

My TV antenna brings in about 20 channels for free, and you can get by just fine without internet in the house or on your phone if necessary.

I really enjoy getting out in the boondocks camping or fishing with the kids when they have no cell phone signal or internet. They turn back into people again and start having conversations and doing things.

This is just another one of those things ...... everybody has it, so we have to have it.

[cypher1]

One thing I see a huge amount of money wasted on by folks that shouldn't be wasting money is IT type expenses. The cost of smart phones for the entire family, high speed internet service at the house, the monthly cable or satellite TV bill, Netflix, etc. can add up to a pretty significant expenditure for families each month.

But isn't that just a matter of perspective along with priorities and affordability? Need vs want. I can't speak for you, but I would never go back to dial up internet vs high speed. Sure I could give up my cell phone for portability (not going to happen). Pay less for a slower connection, but then I'm also paying for a landline to be tied up.

While I may not have a family, I can justify my high speed internet and cell phone as a need (work related). Take away social networking aspect, I can use my smartphone to browse internet/news/shop, communicate via email, listen to music/video, GPS, camera, alarm clock, calculator, flashlight, calender, check weather. So that one device can replace a number of household items.

This may go off topic, but I have no problems paying $400 outright for a new unlocked phone, free of contract, along with $40 per month for service. Now, I wouldn't expect others on this forum to agree or do the same. About 2.5 years ago I paid $350 outright for a Nexus 4, while paying $50 per month for StraightTalk prepay plan. I paid just under $12 per month within that timeframe to use that phone. The only reasons I replaced was due to a bad battery and power button unresponsive.

I have no regrets paying those numbers per month, vs my friends paying $100+ per month for both their smartphone,service, plus insurance and locked into a 3 yr contract. Now could I gotten something cheaper for a phone? Absolutely. But I chose and could afford to pay more for that particular service which I had no regrets with. Also keep in mind this is just my .02 cents, and wouldn't expect every family to go that route.

[HappySaver]

High-speed internet may not technically be a need. You can always visit your local library to use it. But it is very high on the importance scale for us.

I would cut all phones, land and cell, as well as cable TV (well, we don't have cable TV anyway) before cutting internet. It would be the last entertainment/communications expense to go.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I still have an iPhone 4S on Virgin mobile and got it when the 5 was about to make its debut. Another person I know has to get the newest iPhone. I recall her getting the 6 the day it hit the market. To each their own I guess.

[feh]

High-speed internet may not technically be a need. You can always visit your local library to use it. But it is very high on the importance scale for us.

I would cut all phones, land and cell, as well as cable TV (well, we don't have cable TV anyway) before cutting internet. It would be the last entertainment/communications expense to go.

+1

I agree with the OP in concept, but IMO, internet access is close to becoming a necessity, and I applaud the FCC for treating it like a public utility.

[JoeP]

Different strokes for different folks. People will spend their money on products or services from which they get value. Some people put value on things like premium TV, luxury cars, big houses, annual vacations, clothing, artwork, jewelry, concerts, trips, phones, etc., while others might look at those expenses as wasteful because they don't place value on them.

[Singuy]

One thing I see a huge amount of money wasted on by folks that shouldn't be wasting money is IT type expenses. The cost of smart phones for the entire family, high speed internet service at the house, the monthly cable or satellite TV bill, Netflix, etc. can add up to a pretty significant expenditure for families each month.

It's nice stuff, and those of us that have had it for a long time would be stunned for a bit if we had to do without, but far as I know you can still live comfortably without all of that stuff. There are plenty of seniors around that were never exposed to it and have gotten by fine without these luxuries.

My TV antenna brings in about 20 channels for free, and you can get by just fine without internet in the house or on your phone if necessary.

I really enjoy getting out in the boondocks camping or fishing with the kids when they have no cell phone signal or internet. They turn back into people again and start having conversations and doing things.

This is just another one of those things ...... everybody has it, so we have to have it.

LoL, didn't you just buy a boat?

[annamarie]

cable, expensive phones and gadgets.

[Fishindude77]

"LoL, didn't you just buy a boat?"

Yep, paid cash for it.
I don't carry any debt.


Regarding those IT expenses, I look at what we spend annually and it's a little ridiculous. This stuff makes the wife happy so I go along with it without complaining. Honestly, if it was just me I think I could get by just fine with a smart phone. I'd drop the satellite internet and satellite TV at the house.

[annamarie]

your wife is lucky and blessed to have you.

[disneysteve]

Honestly, if it was just me I think I could get by just fine with a smart phone. I'd drop the satellite internet and satellite TV at the house.

In 2014, I earned $10,879.50 doing online surveys.
So far in 2015, I've earned $3,354.00 doing online surveys.

I think I'll keep my internet service at home.

And that doesn't begin to count the hundreds or thousands of dollars we've saved with online shopping and how much we've made selling items on ebay, Half.com, and Amazon.

Is the internet a necessity? Not exactly. We could live without it. But it would slash our income considerably and raise our living expenses as well.

[CashUp Sammy]

Ditto to the internet being the last service to cut off in the house.

I look at cable TV - with all the sport - as a saving device. If I was to go to a bar to watch the game - or even to the stadium to watch a couple of games a year - i'd be looking at $100 for either outing.

As it stands currently,$49 for the sports etc and I can sit at home with my own beer and snacks. Saves me money.

I see fuel for the car, home rent, eating out as bigger drains via unnecessary spending than IT related ones.

[disneysteve]

if it was just me I think I could get by just fine with a smart phone. I'd drop the satellite internet

I would also point out that if we dropped home internet, the smartphone wouldn't be much good since we wouldn't have WiFi anymore. We'd be limited to the cellular data plan which doesn't go very far. 99% of the time when we use our smartphones, we do it over WiFi.

[ua_guy]

Those IT expenses cover technology and availability that's expected in most modern jobs, and I hate it. But, having a well paying job is a) what allows me to take my "off grid" vacations. Cell phones and internet - LOL. And b) will hopefully allow for an earlier, but decently funded retirement that will set me up on a piece of remote property somewhere, where I can live out my life dream of living remotely.

[Eagle]

In 2014, I earned $10,879.50 doing online surveys.
So far in 2015, I've earned $3,354.00 doing online surveys.

I think I'll keep my internet service at home.

Do you have a thread started on this DisneySteve? How do you do this? This is very interesting.