What are you willing to give up to keep your smartphone and data use?
Reports are showing that American families are spending less on vehicles (the iPhone is the new status symbol), apparel, entertainment, and eating out and more on their smartphone data plans.
In fact, it’s not uncommon for families to spend as much as $300 per month on wireless data services, a figure that may rise in the future:
“Wireless carriers are betting they can pull bills even higher by offering faster speeds on expensive new networks and new usage-based data plans. The effort will test the limits of consumer spending as the draw of new technology competes with cellphone owners’ more rudimentary needs and desires.”
The Wall Street Journal news article goes on to tell a few stories of families cutting back on restaurant visits and time at the movies to afford their wireless access.
I wonder what kind of cultural implications this will have in the long term?
Are families sitting around looking at their smartphones instead of each other, or has this brought dinner back to the dining room table opposed to Outback?
As I read about the financial implications, it really got me thinking about how Christians should approach this smartphone financial phenomenon.
It’s easy to give in.
They are, after all, very cool.
We talk about all the nifty apps and tools here on ChurchMag, we love tech, but one wonders if we’re not prudent enough with our finances while world missions and humanitarian aid stands with open and empty hands.
Just as Christians shouldn’t follow suite morally with the world, nor should we follow suite financially.
In the end, it looks as though most American families aren’t spending more of their family budget, as much as their are adjustments being made to accommodate wireless expenditures.
However, as believers, I’m wondering if we would be this willing to carve out more generosity in our budget with as much vigor as we do for the iPhone 5.
Thoughts?
[via The Wall Street Journal | Image via Nathan Rupert]
Paul Clifford (@PodcastinChurch) says
I’m looking at straight talk’s $45 unlimited plan for my iPhone. They don’t sell iPhones, but if you have an old one (or buy an old one), you can get the plan with no contract. That’s less than 1/2 of what it costs on AT&T with no contract.
Daniel Espinoza says
I agree that Christians shouldn’t follow suite with the world financially since normal isn’t working.
When talking about smart phones specifically you can ask “Is this a need or a want” and “Where does this fit into my overall financial picture?”
For the first question, basic communication would fall closer to a need and can be accomplished with a flip phone and a pay-as-you-go plan. So a smart phone is more in the ‘want’ category.
For the second question, if a family is bringing home $1,500 a month then a $300 per month smartphone bill absolutely does not fit into the equation. But, if the family income is $10,000 per month, then there is more room for some wants. Then the question becomes one of is this a choice in good stewardship of that income.
Eric Dye says
There’s the lynchpin: stewardship.
Who gave more? The widow or the rich man?
Good stuff, Daniel. Thank you!
Ken Rosentrater says
?? $300 a month?!
Wheesh.
I must be in the Dark Ages. I didn’t know that was possible.
Eric Dye says
It helps if you use a dumb phone. 😉