Today I decided to stop by my favorite craft store Hobby Lobby to check out their clearance Christmas decor. Their sales weren't very impressive, so I wondered around the other isles looking for bargains and inspiration. I stumbled upon a new spring collection display that had a 50% sales tag put there by accident. Among other things I saw a tall white vase that, I thought, would be just perfect for our master bedroom. I grabbed it, not knowing that it wasn't on sale, and headed to the checkout.
After ringing up a couple of other things that I found (including a beautiful silver cancer awareness pendant on clearance for less than a dollar!!), the cashier finally got to my vase. She scanned it a few times and then finally told me that it wasn't on sale and that the tag might've been put there by mistake. And then she said, "But we have a coupon online if you want to use it. Do you have your phone with you?..."
I think, I froze for a minute, and I bet my facial expression was priceless. Am I that out of date that I don't know that when other people talk about cellphones, it automatically means something "smart"? It immediately reminded me of standing in the line at Michaels a few weeks ago. The four people in front of me had their iPhones out for the coupons while I was shyly fiddling with my paper copy from a local ad...
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against technology. We have two laptops at home, an iPad (was given to Hubby at his previous place of employment) and other newer gadgets. We like to enjoy the nicer things in life. More so, just a few weeks ago we bought Hubby a smart phone because that's what his new job required even though they wouldn't pay for it (his Christmas gift, bought used saving us about $200, and after selling his previous phone we ended up paying only about $200 for a fancier and newer model). But somehow today I felt a little like an outsider. Not just because I don't have a phone like "everybody else" but simply because it never occurred to me to automatically associate the word "cellphone" with all the bells and whistles.
Have you ever felt this way? I don't want this post to sound offensive to anybody who has a smart phone of their own. It wasn't intended to be. As I said above, my husband himself is enjoying his new toy now quite a bit. But have you ever been under the impression that this world develops quicker than you do? That somebody needs to click an "update" button in your life? Am I getting old, people?!!! Please, tell me I'm not :)
I find the whole smart phone situation frustrating. I have the money to spend on one, but I don't want to. Does that make me weird? I know I am going to have to cave at some point, but it bothers me. Sometimes this feels like discrimination based on poverty and/or frugality. Why should I have to spend 30 or 40 dollars a month on a smart phone data plan in order to save money?
ReplyDeleteI know it isn't discrimination, but you are right - it is awkward and weird.
No you are not getting old. This post made me smile as we are very out dated with our phones. We have prepaid tracfones that are about 8 years old, and we hardly use them. In fact we only turn them on when we are out need to make a call, we don't use them all the time. We pay $99 for 1 year of service & 400 minutes & we never run out. I always have my paper coupons, sometimes I think that I may be the only one who does!
ReplyDeleteRhonda
I don't think you are getting old, technology is just moving too fast to keep up with and manufactures are too competitive and greedy.
ReplyDeleteI have a pay-as-you-go phone so I don't have internet on my phone. However if I paid a monthly subscription I would then have access, but I don't use it. If I'm out and about I don't need the internet I'm busy being out and about having fun or doing the necessary. Too often you see people walking around as if they have a permanent ear ache or looking a bit mad talking to themselves. Humours rant over. Did you get the vase in the end or leave it.
Carolx
I guess you i mean anyone not just you) should get one if you want and can afford it but otherwise not. I have had mine for three years and find it really useful. Phone, texts, messenger obviously but the diary function, reminders and alarms i find useful as I am so forgetful these days. Alarm clock, torch, instant access to google very useful for the nosy/curious), discount codes, keeping in contact with your kids. Mbile access to ebay means you can do your tactical bidding at the last moment. Oh and online banking,, very useful if you are the sort of person who likes to really keep an eye on your account. I love it and I don't pay a fortune, I just shopped around. My handset was free and i pay £28 a month with unlimited everything.
ReplyDeleteLizzie, I think, you are definitely a great example of somebody who didn't just waste money on a fancy toy!! Sounds like your phone is a necessity for you. Thank you for sharing a different point of view :)
DeleteSame here Lena, I have a "flip" phone!!! The thing stays in the car for emergincies and such. I can afford a fancy phone but don't see a need for it when mine works just fine. Paper coupons for me all the way! Ha
ReplyDeleteUnlike the last person posting, I don't feel at all badly about not having a smart phone or any other "new" tech. apparatus. Nor do I feel that eventually I will have to get one. I don't even have a cell phone - find no need for one at all. Call me outdated or old fashioned, I don't give a hoot! I get along just fine with my home telephone and desk top computer, thank you very much and Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteDespite the best efforts of my four adult children, I still have only a "dumb" cellphone. It is just for convenience and I often forget to charge it, so obviously I could live without it. I was more dependent on it when the kids were little, as I wanted to be reachable in emergencies. As with all consumer products, I don't let myself be troubled by not owning (or being owned by) the latest contraption.
ReplyDeleteHope 2014 is a blessed and frugal one for you and your family, Lena!
Hi Lena! I have an i phone (that At&T offered me for $50 2 years ago) and it is too old to even take the Apps for coupons! Plus, apps are always getting updates and if you don't switch your phone to your home internet for downloading the updates, they use up alot of data time. (It is best to manually do updates, and use the home internet). I am old-fashioned too and pay my bills by snail mail, etc. and I don't give out my email address to stores. I still get coupons via snail mail, such as joann fabrics, yankee candle, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf you are getting old and out of date then so am I. It's not that I wouldn't like to have a smartphone (or even a nicer one than I have), but I just can't justify the outrageous cost for something that I don't need. I think people (the younger generation in particular) convince themselves they need it and then once they get used to it, they can't live without it. It's also the same reason we don't have cable, I can't justify spending lots of money for something that it isn't necessary.
ReplyDeleteAmen!! The things people believe are necessities these days are ridiculous. A smart phone is not a necessity!
DeleteI could live without any technology and be quite happy. I have a smart phone because my husband feels safer knowing I have one when I am driving with the kids, or home from work at night. My sister who is 33 doesn't even have a cell phone of any type. She is perfectly happy that way. I am old enough to remember when no one had cell phones...Gasp!!! I miss the good old days.
ReplyDeleteI'm not into them either... hubby wants me to have a cell phone but I have *zero* interest. lol! I paid $700 cash for his as a gift and we pay $30 month to month for unlimited talk, text, data. He absolutely LOVES it. For me, I use it only when I absolultely *HAVE* to! lol!! I'm quite happy without one... ;)
ReplyDeleteI resisted the whole cell phone thing pretty darn hard. In fact, I had a tracphone that I never turned on and often allowed minutes to lapse on because I wouldn't use it. You are unlikely to catch me having a conversation on my phone in any public place and I figure maps are just as good as google or GPS. I have a cell phone now that is an old flip type phone with unlimited texts only because my husband insists upon it. He and the kids call me far mroe often than I shall ever call them. Coupons? I'll keep fumbling with the paper ones thank you.
ReplyDeleteGirl, use those paper coupons with pride! :) I still use them, too, even if I have a smartphone. Cute post. XOXO
ReplyDeleteGirl you are not getting old. Technology really is flying along. I have a smartphone that is not smart. I refuse to put data on my blackberry. In fact I only got a BB b/c I wanted a keyboard. I have thought about getting data but then I lean towards the mindset of I have lived this long without it, I don't really need it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with Meredith. It's sad, but though I have a "smart" phone (blackberry), it is not even considered such, compared to iPhones and Galaxy's and whatever else is out there. I also don't have as much of the app support, so I can relate where you're coming from. However, people are different and have different needs. My smartphone works for me in the way that I want to, even though it comes short in places. I use paper coupons all of the time.
ReplyDeleteI get annoyed when many of the coupon offers or information for that matter are only offered on smart phones which I don't have. I wish there were still more options.
ReplyDeleteI'm required to have not only a smart phone, but wireless (even on vacation) + a laptop, and two different tablets. Let me just say, i detest it & feel like a slave to technology. Truly, I do. While I frequently like the convenience of technology, I relaxed a lot more when I wasn't constantly *in touch* with others.
ReplyDeleteEmbrace it - nothing to be ashamed of!
That sounds a lot like my husband with all of his work required gadgets :)
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