I happened to see this image while browsing the other day, and I thought, "it's funny because it's true". I'm usually pretty good at managing my funds when it comes to things that I really 'need' and things that I could do without, such as an iphone or whatever the latest craze might be. Whenever I go shopping, I find myself thinking, "do I really need this?", which can become pretty annoying at times for myself and whoever is unfortunate enough to have to wait on me at the time. But by asking that simple question, I have saved myself from countless 'impulse' buys, which I would have regretted a week, month, or a year down the line.
It's not like I haven't been thinking of getting an iphone, but I already own an ipod touch, which has all the functions of an iphone except telephony capability. So I can't justify spending a few hundred extra just to be able to call people, which I can already do perfectly fine from my current cell.
Another thing that has caught my attention is how adapt we've become at accepting the expected cost of items and monthly contracts. For instance, being an international student, I've been trying to find a cell phone plan that suits my needs and doesn't require me to part with all that money I could be spending on booze. But I'm forced to accept the fact that I'll be paying 20/50c for every text and call that I make or receive because I don't want to be locked into a contract.
Technology around is advancing rapidly, and enabling us to do more things, but we've also gotten used to accepting the increasing price tag. I wonder if it will ever get to a stage where we are willingly paying a couple of thousand for our cell phones, or could there be an era where our technology, like the fashion industry, becomes influenced by 'retro' trends and makes a return to simpler functionality? Will our brains be able to keep up with the advancing technology? Or will we grow tired of adapting to new ways of doing things and end up reminiscing of old times like the older generation?
