As I do my best to pay down all personal debts I am finding that I have to evaluate each expense and determine its necessity. This not only includes new purchases but old ones in regards to my tech toy collection, especially my smartphones. While I have become fully dependent on my E71-2 all other models have basically fallen by the wayside and are being neglected. As I try to learn the importance of a dollar there is still a lingering presence of the temptation to buy something, but since I no longer have access to any credit cards I can only window shop at this point. Since looking at new toys online or in stores tends to encourage me to want new things even more, it is probably best that I don't browse at all.
These new Apple products due for a debut next week are prime targets that could really test my restraint. There is a chance that I could be instantly drawn by another Steve Jobs speech and then swept away by the new gadgets once they appear from backstage, but strangely I do hope for the total opposite. I have created a mess of debt that must be cleaned up and I should do all I can to resist the need to have the latest and greatest toys. This may be hard to believe, but there was one Apple unveiling that left me underwhelmed: the introduction of the iPod Hifi boombox. I wonder how many folks remember when that came out! As soon as I saw that thing I instantly knew I would want no part of it and simply went on with my life. Even if I am totally enamored with these new iPods that are due to arrive, my lack of leisure funds and credit cards will work to my benefit in keeping me grounded.
Besides the expected facelift and usual capacity increases I really don't know what more Apple can do to update their iPod line up. Pictures seen online only appear to be the rumored nano with its vertical screen orientation and curved sides inspired by the MacBook Air. No matter what updates happen to arrive I am sceptical as to whether they will be worthy of an upgrade for the average iPod user. At one point I did believe that owning the video nano would be interesting, but I NEVER used it to watch any video content and found it to be too wide to hold for running. I eventually ended up trading with a good friend for his previous generation nano and then realized that I don't even need it for music anymore. While the nano now is solely for use with the Nike Sport Kit, I use my 32GB Touch model to play music on my runs and everywhere else. The 80GB Classic is currently in my backpack for safe keeping in its inactive status.
I guess that this new perspective of being happy with what I've got is what I am ultimately trying to achieve in every aspect of my life. I am even going as far as to consider giving up my beloved Volkswagen Jetta for a MUCH cheaper used vehicle! The less money I have to put towards a car payment results in more money to paying off my debt.
This new found inspiration to cast off all unnecessary belongings for the sake of healing my financial status is initially exciting, but there is some apprehension. Much like a pack rat I am honestly scared to let go of these material things. To make matters worse, I still have an occasional urge to add more to all of this stuff I have accumulated. I believe that this experience in itself proves that I have been addicted to spending on credit for instant gratification, and now is the perfect time to stop it. My first step in doing this involves putting up my Nokia E90 for sale.
TRENT
Sent from my Nokia E71-2
1 comment:
Hi Trent, have been following your blogs and your videos on you tube for a few months now. Like you, I am a bit of a tecchie and find it hard to resist a new gadget. Like you, I often sell my gadgets to pay a debt or to buy the next new thing that has caught my eye. Its almost an illness, certainly an obsession and sometimes I wish that I was more normal like many of my friends who have used the same Nokia brick for the past ten years or so! My latest phone is the E71, which I have to say is pretty perfect, before that I had an E90 and also the first apple iphone, so far have resisted the 3g version! I must have had nearly every mobile phone on the planet one time or another. Other recent gadgets have been the Asus eee, recently ny eye is on the Acer inspire. I love my apple 60gb video ipod and pink psp. I am fifty this year and my sons laugh at me and call me 'gadget mum', and come to me for advice about the latest technology. Trent, please tell me, is there a cure for this costly obsession? Keep up the good work, your reviews are excellent and good luck with the studying.
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