Who left the phone in their pocket?
Who left the bike where it could be run over?
I don't understand what happened to your laptop.
I'm glad to see personal responsibility has bypassed another generation.
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Am I right in feeling like I'm a spoiled brat right now?
- Thread starter iMpathetic
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Who left the phone in their pocket?
Who left the bike where it could be run over?
I don't understand what happened to your laptop.
I'm glad to see personal responsibility has bypassed another generation.
Try a few years in the Army, Get a dose of reality. Life is about turning the other cheek not the table. If your a nerd then you have to get used to be laughed at.
Who is paying for the phone though?
Not unusual for a 16 year old though. Let's be fair.
Tear tear. I left the phone downstairs so it wouldn't be put in the dryer, the bike was in the yard by a good 2 feet, and she just plain knocked water onto the laptop...
Perhaps your parents are simply trying to teach you a little restraint. As an adult, you're going to learn that while you might have money to purchase toys, it's not always best to give in to your impulses. I learned this the hard way while in college, and to this day is a pretty substantial, life changing regret of mine.
so what was the point of this thread again? Your Mom thinks you're spoiled? Your friend thinks you're a spoiled brat?
Were you expecting everybody here to tell you you're not?
The point of the thread is apparently to tell people that they're all 35 and laugh at those who don't suggest that he's not spoiled, and to be told by the internet that he deserves a new smart phone because his mom owes him for making his life so hard.
What's your address? I'll write your mum a very angry letter explaining how disappointed I am in her parenting skills!
If you have the money to buy the phone, then it's up to you to make the decision as to whether or not to buy the phone. I had this responsibility when I was 16, when I got £30 a week from the government for being in school, because my parents earned below a certain amount.... I had a lot of spare cash, and it would be an understatement to say I didn't use it wisely! I wasted all of it on frivolous things.
As others have said, your mum is trying to teach you to use your money responsibly. While I think they (other posters) may have been a bit harsh with you, I think you need to think about whether you really want to spend so much money on this phone, or if you will be just as satisfied with a less expensive model?! In the end, you earned the money, so you choose what to do with it...but learning responsibility at a young age will benefit you immensely when you're older!
If you have the money to buy the phone, then it's up to you to make the decision as to whether or not to buy the phone. I had this responsibility when I was 16, when I got £30 a week from the government for being in school, because my parents earned below a certain amount.... I had a lot of spare cash, and it would be an understatement to say I didn't use it wisely! I wasted all of it on frivolous things.
As others have said, your mum is trying to teach you to use your money responsibly. While I think they (other posters) may have been a bit harsh with you, I think you need to think about whether you really want to spend so much money on this phone, or if you will be just as satisfied with a less expensive model?! In the end, you earned the money, so you choose what to do with it...but learning responsibility at a young age will benefit you immensely when you're older!
If you can pay for it, then go out and do so.
Paying for it and paying the difference aren't the same thing.
From what I gather, your mother had agreed to purchase a phone, you changed your mind and agreed to pay the difference between the cost of the two. If that is correct, I really don't see what the problem is as the expenditure for your mother will be the same regardless. To state that your age was a factor against agreeing to your proposal is nothing other than pure adultism. This is irrespective of the 'you need to learn financing' argument, as a lesson forced is rarely a lesson learned, anyway.
If I'm mistaken, however, then it depends solely on your mother's financial situation.
If I'm mistaken, however, then it depends solely on your mother's financial situation.
OP: Of course, you've neglected to remember that parents are a higher level of human who aren't ever wrong in regards to their children. Everyone in this thread who's got bold behind their keyboards will confirm that their parents were never wrong. Not once. If they don't, ask for a letter from their therapist confirming as much.
He is being responsible. He had a sensible conversation with his parents, asked for advice here* and suggested a solution where he pays for the extra benefit he desires. How is this a spoilt, undesirable or grabby child? A spoiled brat would insist on the phone, scream, shout and maybe throw something. Most parents would be delighted for OP's reaction to 'no'.
I'd suggest most adults here have bought something on credit, be it their food shopping on Visa, a mobile phone, or their house. If you can't manage credit and debt you've pretty much ignored a corner post of our economy. If you manage it well you can profit from it. This will go towards teaching him credit, interim payments etc. It's not all about 'kids don't need this luxury'. The people in this thread don't need their high spec clothes, cars, computers and phones, but that's not what drives all purchases is it. Letting him have this phone is not going to have the destructive result on his personality, and all young people's attitudes, that everyone seems to believe it will.
*but got mob mentality and resentment towards the young. They're terrible aren't they, the young. Downfall of society if you ask me. Lets bring back the old ways. Much better then; fantastic welfare support, brilliant health and safety laws to protect factory workers, no crime, no child workers, no racism, no discrimination, no world wars. Oh...wait.
Exactly. The most intelligent reply yet (and far more succinct than mine).
AppleMatt
He is being responsible. He had a sensible conversation with his parents, asked for advice here* and suggested a solution where he pays for the extra benefit he desires. How is this a spoilt, undesirable or grabby child? A spoiled brat would insist on the phone, scream, shout and maybe throw something. Most parents would be delighted for OP's reaction to 'no'.
I'd suggest most adults here have bought something on credit, be it their food shopping on Visa, a mobile phone, or their house. If you can't manage credit and debt you've pretty much ignored a corner post of our economy. If you manage it well you can profit from it. This will go towards teaching him credit, interim payments etc. It's not all about 'kids don't need this luxury'. The people in this thread don't need their high spec clothes, cars, computers and phones, but that's not what drives all purchases is it. Letting him have this phone is not going to have the destructive result on his personality, and all young people's attitudes, that everyone seems to believe it will.
*but got mob mentality and resentment towards the young. They're terrible aren't they, the young. Downfall of society if you ask me. Lets bring back the old ways. Much better then; fantastic welfare support, brilliant health and safety laws to protect factory workers, no crime, no child workers, no racism, no discrimination, no world wars. Oh...wait.
Exactly. The most intelligent reply yet (and far more succinct than mine).
AppleMatt
A spoiled brat would also insist that even owning your own phone, regardless of who pays for it, is a God-given right.
Wait, you're blaming your mother for putting your phone in the wash. If you want to be taken serious by your mother act like an adult and do your own laundry.
To be honest, as I read this thread, you do come off as a spoiled brat. You try to justify your position and blame others for your situation - wait that's the American way - never mind
Seriously, if you want a droid, get your own phone plan. From the sounds of it, you're on your mothers plan and she's paying your way.
As for paying her the difference, I've known too many kids who promised that and suddenly didn't have money to pay. Given that you don't have real job only increases her concern about footing the bill, I'm sure.
If you start acting like an adult, you'll be treated like an adult. You're 16, get a job, start doing your own chores. Respect your mother's wishes and as time goes on, I'm sure she'll start treating you as an adult.
To be honest, as I read this thread, you do come off as a spoiled brat. You try to justify your position and blame others for your situation - wait that's the American way - never mind
Seriously, if you want a droid, get your own phone plan. From the sounds of it, you're on your mothers plan and she's paying your way.
As for paying her the difference, I've known too many kids who promised that and suddenly didn't have money to pay. Given that you don't have real job only increases her concern about footing the bill, I'm sure.
If you start acting like an adult, you'll be treated like an adult. You're 16, get a job, start doing your own chores. Respect your mother's wishes and as time goes on, I'm sure she'll start treating you as an adult.
Eh? You sure you read my post correctly? I didn't call him spoilt. I said it's his money and he can spend it if he likes. I was trying to explain what his mum is doing (or what I think she is doing).
On another note. The younger users are always going to be victimized when they ask for help with this sort of stuff. It's simply down to the nature of the majority of the users on this forum. If the OP seriously wanted advice (although I'm not sure what we could do to influence his mum over tinternet) then there are definitely more suited forums out there than this one.
I guarantee that if the same post was made by someone else 10 years down the line, the OP would give a similar response to what he got here.
I'm sorry but you've gone way over the top here! "If you want to be taken seriously grow up and do your own laundry"?!?! That's a joke right? I didn't realise doing your own laundry was a requirement for being taken seriously.Wait, you're blaming your mother for putting your phone in the wash. If you want to be taken serious by your mother act like an adult and do your own laundry.
To be honest, as I read this thread, you do come off as a spoiled brat. You try to justify your position and blame others for your situation - wait that's the American way - never mind
Seriously, if you want a droid, get your own phone plan. From the sounds of it, you're on your mothers plan and she's paying your way.
As for paying her the difference, I've known too many kids who promised that and suddenly didn't have money to pay. Given that you don't have real job only increases her concern about footing the bill, I'm sure.
If you start acting like an adult, you'll be treated like an adult. You're 16, get a job, start doing your own chores. Respect your mother's wishes and as time goes on, I'm sure she'll start treating you as an adult.
Also, if he has the money then surely he can give it to her before anything is purchased? That would eliminate the financial concern, right?
Yep. I thought after I posted you might consider it an attack on you, that wasn't the intention. It was more against the whole attitude he's received, it's just that you mentioned responsibility and that's what my starting point was.
No offence intended. You made a number of good points, and treated him fairer than most. (Plus your autopsy experience sounded very interesting!)
I'm more than 10yrs older than him. Age isn't an excuse for irrationality (although my neighbour would have you think that; he doesn't like my red car. On my drive.)
AppleMatt
Ahh ok, fair enough. (And thanks, it was definitely one of the weirdest things I've seem...and I didn't really go into much detail in the post!)
About the age thing: I guess looking at the majority of replies the OP has got it's hard not to come to that conclusion!
Well, OP, you asked the question, you got some responses, and instead of considering the opinions and advise and wisdom of the older folks in the thread, you still insist on defending your original thoughts ("no, no, I AM right, I just know it, it's the other people that are at fault"). Then you insult other people for calling you on it.
I guess my answer to your original question is that if you have the money and this is something that you really want, then sure, enjoy it while you can. Just remember that all of this stuff is so transient -- in another 3 years, you are going to look back and laugh at how primitive and crappy this phone is compared to whatever new technology we'll all be using then, and you'll find yourself right back in the same situation wishing for the new toys.
On the other hand, I miss being a teenager because these sorts of trivial decisions were all you had to worry about, and hey, if the worst of your worries is which phone you want next, then you've got it pretty good. Fast forward another 10 years and if your life looks anything like mine, you'll be working hard trying to make sure you don't get laid off, making mortgage payments on your house, paying off the car loan, dealing with the leaking hot water tank, the annoying neighbor that keeps putting things on your lawn, etc.
I wish that I could just snap my fingers and decide to buy a new phone just for the heck of it. I've been ogling the iPhone ever since the day it came out but I haven't got one yet because I just don't see adding locking in for a 3-year-contract (this is what we have to deal with in Canada!) at $30/month. I could afford it now, yes, but who knows what life will look like in 2 years. I just can't afford to take the risk.
Same deal with the car. I really, really, want a nice small SUV instead of the hatchback I'm driving now. But it just doesn't make financial sense for me to extend my financing for that much longer when this hatchback is almost all paid off.
Bottom line: I say go for it, have some fun with your toys now because in a few years you likely won't be able to...
I guess my answer to your original question is that if you have the money and this is something that you really want, then sure, enjoy it while you can. Just remember that all of this stuff is so transient -- in another 3 years, you are going to look back and laugh at how primitive and crappy this phone is compared to whatever new technology we'll all be using then, and you'll find yourself right back in the same situation wishing for the new toys.
On the other hand, I miss being a teenager because these sorts of trivial decisions were all you had to worry about, and hey, if the worst of your worries is which phone you want next, then you've got it pretty good. Fast forward another 10 years and if your life looks anything like mine, you'll be working hard trying to make sure you don't get laid off, making mortgage payments on your house, paying off the car loan, dealing with the leaking hot water tank, the annoying neighbor that keeps putting things on your lawn, etc.
I wish that I could just snap my fingers and decide to buy a new phone just for the heck of it. I've been ogling the iPhone ever since the day it came out but I haven't got one yet because I just don't see adding locking in for a 3-year-contract (this is what we have to deal with in Canada!) at $30/month. I could afford it now, yes, but who knows what life will look like in 2 years. I just can't afford to take the risk.
Same deal with the car. I really, really, want a nice small SUV instead of the hatchback I'm driving now. But it just doesn't make financial sense for me to extend my financing for that much longer when this hatchback is almost all paid off.
Bottom line: I say go for it, have some fun with your toys now because in a few years you likely won't be able to...
I don't see what your mom's problem is beyond the fact that it is pure ageism crap. If your mom really did do all that(bike,phone,laptop), then i think the last that she could do is just let u get the phone.
^^ This.
I think you've pretty much summed up every whiny teenager thread we get around here.
OP, it is just a phone. Plus, you should consider the fact that while you might sell stuff for profit right now, that is not a steady income. Also, the data plan for the Droid on Verizon is not $20 a month, it is $30. Why should your parents incur another ten bucks a month just so you can have a fancier phone?
If I were you I would be taking the money I get and saving it to put towards a car. Then I would get a car and a job and work on learning what it means to be financially independent. That way when you move out you've got a grasp on how things really work and (hopefully) a little savings to pad your pocket.
And, if I sounds all parent lecture-ish it's because I wish that's what I had done when i was in high school.
Must have a fellow teen here, OP.
Ageism? LMAO. He is a child living with his mom. Her rules. That's the way it works.
Sadly, I can see a kid eventually suing his parents for ageism and some wacko judge will let the case through.
I know it's what would be sensible to do, but honestly, how many teenagers do you see doing that?
That's just plain not realistic.BTW, I kind of went off my rocker earlier. I was being cornered and this led to that and... well sorry everyone.
I just don't really like how I'm looked down upon because of how old I am and because I'm a kid who wants things. I don't know if this makes any sense... I just want things because they're fun and they make me happy, and that's a high priority isn't it? The pursuit of happiness, not the pursuit of a responsible and wholesome existence.
AppleMatt: you just pretty much summed up my situation.
It maybe that he lives by his mom's rule, but i don't see any reason beyond the ageism for not letting him get it. What i am saying is, the parents aren't losing anything by not letting him get the phone. It is beyond needing the phone. We don't need computers @ school. My parents learned just fine by looking through books etc. It isn't about needing anything. It is what he WANTS. oh and in response to the suing thing, don't you need a parent to sue for you if you are a minor?
And, i would much rather have something that i am satisfied with if i am going to be locked in for a 2 year contract. Either way, i am only rationally speaking and i think there might be other aspects to this story that the OP isn't telling us.
Then by all means, he should have it then, shouldn't he!
Woof, Woof - Dawg
well, like i said, i would like to own something that i am satisfied if i am going to be locked in to a 2 yr contract. If i came off as a bit whiny, i didn't intend that but i don't see any problem is the OP is willing to pay for the extra amount of money in the phone bill and for the difference in price for the droid and the droid eris.
EDIT: i looked at both phones and besides the droid looking a lot better and perhaps being better, i think that the droid eris wasn't a bad phone at all. if i was offered the eris over my current phone, a nokia candybar style phone, i would totally get it. I wouldn't care that the droid is better and that i can get for 120 more. look at ti this way OP. no matter what you get, it will be looking like old sham by the time 6 months from now rolls by when motorola or HTC puts out something that looks a lot better than ur phone.
And I am really not trying to be dismissive of the OP
I think he should work with his mom and not challenge her
You, and other posters may not see a problem with it, but his parents might
And ultimately it is their opinion that counts, not ours
Woof, Woof - Dawg