The budget has spoken. The oh-so-important media package on my Blackberry must go. In fact, so must the Blackberry. And in order to avoid the $30 “renewal” fee that my wireless provider now charges simply to renew a contract (even if you're downgrading your phone), I made a few phone calls and rounded up an old, ratty, er, well-loved dumb-phone that has been dumped by both my Mother and Sister.
Ah yes, the gem is now mine.
Funny thing is, I'm sort of relieved in a way.
For starters, I've never used my smart-phone for anything really important. I don't use it for navigation (yes, I still actually stop and ask people for directions) or any fancy apps. I don't play games on it or sync it any other technology. I don't keep a calender on it. I don't usually post updates to my blog, Facebook page, or Twitter account. I don't shoot videos and post them to YouTube.
In fact, the only thing I really use my smart-phone for is to make telephone calls and send text messages to my friends & family. That's right. I have friends. Are you surprised?
The only thing I will greatly miss about my smart-phone is receiving the comments that y'all post on my blog wherever I am. I love getting to open up that little email icon and seeing what (usually) nice or informative idea you had to share with me!
Alas, I suppose I can do it the “old-fashioned” way and simply check my email…
…something tells me I'll survive.
And to be honest, I really don't like getting all my emails directly sent to me. I subscribe to blogs that I thoroughly enjoy reading and I don't want to get the wonderful posts on a 1.5″ by 1.5″ screen – I want to sit down with a cup of tea in the quiet of the night and read them properly.
And I really don't like receiving my utility bills and junk mail in the middle of a call. It's distracting and twice as much work for me to delete them.
All that to say, I'm dumbin' down. Sure, the phone may randomly die. Sure, a few of the buttons don't work (if I remember this phone correctly). Sure, I'm the third owner of a phone that was designed to last it's original owner five months. But who cares.
I'm not trying to keep up with the Jones here, people. I'm trying to keep Dave Ramsey's stupid budget spreadsheet happy.
Dang you, Dave Ramsey, in all your financial wisdom.
Thank you for helping my realize what a luxury, and how unnecessary, so many of our “entitlements” are.
Welcome to the club! I, too, have a “dumb phone” and love it. I only use my phone for the occasional phone call and for texting. I also take an occasional pic here and there, but overall, paying $30 extra a month just was not worth it for me. Plus the shocked looks on people’s faces when I say I dont have a smart phone is entertaining.
The plan Dave sets up takes a lot to adjust to, but it is AWESOME!!!!! I am on baby step 2 and have paid off a little over 10k in debt in just under a year. That is on a rocky income too. Your doing great giving up the phone. Don’t let things discourage you from this plan. It really is life changing 🙂
Good for you. When technology controls us and raids our purses it’s time to let go of it. Your budget appreciates it and Dave approves!
God used Dave Ramsey to save our marriage! At first, it is hard, but as you begin to pay things off your excitement will build. Before long, you will be proclaiming your love for all things Dave Ramsey! By God’s grace, we have been debt free for 3 years (except the mortgage). It took 7 years to do, but we paid-off $75K in unsecured debt by renting a little house (and I do mean little), buying used, budgeting, and lots of rice & beans. It is so worth it! Best wishes!
“Dumb phone, smart operator” is my new motto. I have not been able to fathom the price of a smart phone and the accompanying data package. Sometimes I long for the convenience, but I’ve managed this far so I figure I’ll make it for awhile yet…As for Dave, around here we affectionately refer to him as “D*mn Ramsey”. His teaching has helped us pay off over $70k in debt since February and has revitalized our marriage. We only call him names when he says no to stuff (like smart phones and pricey kitchen gadgets). 🙂 It’s all totally worth it. Praying for you as you anticipate this new blessing!
We just switched to prepay and save 100.00 a month. We now pay 30.00 per phone per month. Less stress than coming up with 150.00 a month.
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For those who actually use the smart phone features and would miss them, you can downgrade your phone plan but keep the smart phone as an internet connected pda using WiFi.
(You can actually even make phone calls on it, but I hear the quality is crummy. )