Feeling guilty about a purchase

I lost my old flip phone the other day, no where to be found. So after looking at a few smartphones I decided on the iPhone 5c today. I considered cancelling my landline and just using cell service. Brought the phone home and just need to hook it up with a monthly plan in my budget range. Sounds good right? Well I feel guilty now spending that much money on a phone! I won't get into debt with this purchase, I watch my money closely. I feel sort of guilty spending this much. Okay I know it's a multi purpose device.. talk, ibooks, camera, apps, games, music player etc etc.

There is a part of me that says take it back, buy a cheap flip phone, unlock it, and use the speak out plan (cheap plan). I use a cell phone for quick calling, light texting (texting a bit difficult on flip phone?) I admit wifi is a bonus feature on a smartphone for checking map, bus schedule etc in a mall, coffee shop etc. But not an everyday occurrence.

Arrgh! Decisions, decisions..

Last I checked you were in the market for a phone and educated yourself before your purchase. Don't feel guilty about the new if you are happy about it. I saved $450 to buy my 4S a year ago on a tab plan (when they still existed). I did that so I could get an inexpensive plan. It was a good investment. My SmartPhone has simplified my life in many ways and I ended up cancelling my landline.

As a result of this we now pay for our two smartphones $90/month, internet unlimited rural high speed $80 month, Netflix $8 month and a one time fee of a Refurbished Apple TV $100. We are now saving $120 a month with no landline or cable package. :D

I am currently enjoying a new episode of 24, bought the season with an iTunes gift card through VISA points.

You will make it work for you. Congrats on your purchase and whatever your next step will be...

Thanks Granger! It's true I shopped around and asked questions before my purchase. The phone is quite neat to use. I needed a phone that was small to handle (hand injuries, several surgeries.. I don't find it easy to hold larger style smart phones). I have to bite my tongue, not feel guilty and enjoy the darn thing. I'm curious about the Apple tv. Do you get similar channels to cable? Or less? Do you pay for individual channels? News channels included? Thanks! :)

I had the same guilt many years ago. However it didn't take long for me to get over it.

• Transit Rider... love how I can track incoming buses to my stop by looking up their GPS
  http://nb.translink.ca/Map/Route/016
  I love receiving accident or service interruption notices that allows me to adjust my travel plans to avoid frustrations.
• Outdoors... being able to quickly look up the latest forecasts by current location is a riot.
  http://skymotion.com/nowcastweb/
• Telus Optik customer? You can now watch live TV on your phone, as well as remotely set recordings.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT56vJ8pd84
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubX-sTHkV50
• Scheduliing.... I keep forgetting what I promised for the next day or next week. After making notes, I can quickly recall my commitments.
• Emails? Let's not forget the key function of a phone. Replying to forum messages is now so easy.

The key secret is to master the abilities of your smartphone to get over your remorse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=R_W90BfB5Zs&t=46

Apple TV you have to buy everything...unless it is jail broken...which we as a family don't do. We ended up deciding we can live with less to save money. We stream everything from the Internet now...all our regular shows we can watch online within a week of them airing. Sports is the only downside as DH does like hockey and we are still looking for a solution to that. We beam the programs from our iPad or MacBook to the television. It was an expensive transition initially, but is now saving us tons of money. Our iPhones were our last investment because we were so happy with out other purchases. Apple TV would only be good in your scenario if you had another more powerful Apple device or don't mind the whole jail broken-bootlegged thing (you can get these in android too). :) I am sure you will enjoy your new purchase.

"Replying to forum messages is now so easy."

Oh yes, download Tapatalk!!!

I ended up returning the iPhone. I agree it's a neat phone but felt it was too costly for myself. If the iPhone was my only 'computer', as in I didn't own a desktop etc, then I would have kept it. I ended up purchasing a Blackberry Q5 on prepaid from Koodo. Cheaper and so far it works great.

:)

Buyer's remorse. It sometimes happens, and the fact that you acted on it and returned it instead of giving in to it, took real smarts, Toban..
It's the old, "I want" vs "I need"....I hope you're comfy with your decision!

One day you will get it...and feel ok about your purchase. I ALWAYS feel guilty about purchasing anything for myself. Usually I won't and someone in my family will get it for me for my b-day or x-mass or something like that. I'm very impressed with your ability to return something you feel in a want, as lynn stated.

I'm happy with the decision, return of the iPhone, and the purchase of the Blackberry. I don't feel as remorseful with a cheaper phone :)

Glad to hear you came to a decision you feel good about. :) Hope you enjoy your new phone.

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Originally Posted by hollyquaiscer

One day you will get it...and feel ok about your purchase. I ALWAYS feel guilty about purchasing anything for myself. Usually I won't and someone in my family will get it for me for my b-day or x-mass or something like that. I'm very impressed with your ability to return something you feel in a want, as lynn stated.

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haha. That's me too. I seldom buy stuff for myself to the point that it's ridiculous. Like, I have stupid things on my wish list that any "normal" person would have gone and bought for themselves eons ago. (example: new hand towels for the bathroom). I mean, for love of god they are hand towels not a bloody Rolex watch! LOL. DH has always been in charge of the phone purchase for me because otherwise, I'd still be using my old Nokia from 1999. I just can't and won't buy things for myself. Period.

I too am impressed with your ability to return the item! Glad you are happy with your decision. In the end, one has to feel comfortable with the decisions they've made! :)

Update. My cheaper phone that I bought this past Sunday is acting up. I'm experiencing problems with it not shutting off sometimes. Too bad because texting is a breeze with a physical keyboard on the Blackberry Q5. I still have time to return it. Debating whether to exchange it for another one or paying up more moolah for iPhone again. Need a phone that isn't gigantic but one that works lol.

I would take the phone back to the retailer immediately for their thoughts. Many retailers have a warranty to handle defective products. If you wait past that window, you will need to deal with the manufacturer who might send back refurbished products.

I ended up returning it last night. My neighbour has an iPhone 5c, that I tried last night, when I returned home. The thing is I had trouble hearing with the 5c when I made a voice call. Tried a few calls, same thing. I do have issues with some loss of hearing in my ears. She has no issues with sound quality at all. I'll find a phone that works for me :)

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Originally Posted by xlxo

I would take the phone back to the retailer immediately for their thoughts. Many retailers have a warranty to handle defective products. If you wait past that window, you will need to deal with the manufacturer who might send back refurbished products.

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Originally Posted by toban

I ended up returning it last night. My neighbour has an iPhone 5c, that I tried last night, when I returned home. The thing is I had trouble hearing with the 5c when I made a voice call. Tried a few calls, same thing. I do have issues with some loss of hearing in my ears. She has no issues with sound quality at all. I'll find a phone that works for me :)

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That's probably a wise move. If it's acting up now and only a week or two old then it's gonna continue to be a nuisance. Best to get rid of it now while you can!

I wish I'd had that foresight a few years ago when I bought a Blackberry Storm. It was the first touch screen phone on the market and what a piece of crap it was. The first two were duds (problems with the screens) that had to be taken back within a few weeks of getting them. By the time my three year contract was done, I'd gone through 4 of those suckers. I'm not hard on phones either. I usually have one for years and years until the technology is out dated. I was SO glad to see that Storm go!!!

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Originally Posted by toban

I ended up returning it last night. My neighbour has an iPhone 5c, that I tried last night, when I returned home. The thing is I had trouble hearing with the 5c when I made a voice call. Tried a few calls, same thing. I do have issues with some loss of hearing in my ears. She has no issues with sound quality at all. I'll find a phone that works for me :)

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Are the issues that you experienced with the Blackberry a common problem with that particular device? For budget sake, I think the important thing is to ask the retailer what other phones are most comparable to the Blackberry that you had and narrow your choices down that way. Whatever you decide, make sure the next device you decide on has the most up-to-date firmware/software to hopefully head off any glitches. Good luck!

They didn't say it's a common problem. I did a software update when I first got it. Maybe I just got a dud. Otherwise I really liked the BB.

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Originally Posted by Livelyone

Are the issues that you experienced with the Blackberry a common problem with that particular device? For budget sake, I think the important thing is to ask the retailer what other phones are most comparable to the Blackberry that you had and narrow your choices down that way. Whatever you decide, make sure the next device you decide on has the most up-to-date firmware/software to hopefully head off any glitches. Good luck!

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If you use your phone more than you use your bed or car, why wouldn't it be worth the extra money? Just my opinion..

I'm the same way though, after being so frugal, its hard to buy anything. I guess I look at it as, I spend so much effort in life saving money, might as well spend that money on what I spend the rest of my life..

I have an iPhone 5, its WAY to expensive, but I'm not taking it back. It could have been a BB just the same. Whatever you enjoy..

Chris - (theseedcoway.com)

I had a BB that I loved and I dropped it on my stairs and it smashed the screen. I decided to change to an iphone 4s because of all the rebate apps at the time (about 20 months ago) that BB did not have.

I can honestly say that in less than 2 years I have made well over $500 in rebates from my iphone (zweet, Checkout 51, snapsaves, cartsmart and a couple others). That to me was worth every penny! :) Just a little food for thought.

I returned the defective BB device and exchanged for another. This one is working great. I have to say I really love the BB Q5. Texting is so easy, wifi connectivity, not cumbersome. Can't beat the price :) :toothy4:

I've been using the Snap Android emulator on my Q10 for awhile and last month I loaded the Entertainment book Android app. Save me $80 when I went to a restaurant and I could both my coupon and app coupon at the same time!

I also discovered the mobile coupons can be used when travelling in the USA. This is great as it just uses my Q10 GPS to locate and display the nearest offers.