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Is 14 too young?
- Thread starter Tragedies
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Which is irrelevant when it comes down to paying your monthly mobile phone bill. You either have the funds to do so or you don't.
That's the only real question the TC needs to answer.
Well my belief is probably different. Even though my parents had the money, from when I can remember, I have worked my guts out to pay for any luxuries i wanted, my further education, my holidays, my lifestyle.
The way I want to live my life is not my parents responsibility to fund.
I used to work in an Apple Store and seeing £250 iPods fly of the shelf to young teenagers bought by their parents used to worry me.
I know how long it takes to earn that kinda money and how much hard work it is. But from my personal experience, kids who have anything they want handed to them on a plate struggle when they're put in a position of responsibility when it comes to their own finances.
I never got a cell phone until I went to college. I was 18 I believe.
You wipper snappers and your confounded technologicals!
You wipper snappers and your confounded technologicals!
I'm 20 years old, just finishing up my second year of univ., and as much as I'd love to have an iPhone, I can't imagine paying that much monthly. Myself, my brother, and my mom are on a "family plan" that costs like $70 a month for the three of us. (My dad has a work phone.)
I guess paying $60 for the *minumum* plan for *one* phone just seems way out of my price range.
I guess paying $60 for the *minumum* plan for *one* phone just seems way out of my price range.
I'm 20 years old, just finishing up my second year of univ., and as much as I'd love to have an iPhone, I can't imagine paying that much monthly. Myself, my brother, and my mom are on a "family plan" that costs like $70 a month for the three of us. (My dad has a work phone.)
I guess paying $60 for the *minumum* plan for *one* phone just seems way out of my price range.
if you are also on the family plan, it is only $30 a month, 9.99 for the family line, and $20 for the 200 texts and ultd. data.. I dont get where you get the $60.00 a month. I know this because that is the plan that my husband and i are on. Its a family plan owned by our business, the main line is the big one, and then anyone after it, iphone or not is only 9.99 and you just pay the addition 20 for the data and text.. unless you text a lot, then you can be up to $60 a month, but with the iphone you can cut your texting by sending emails to a phone number
Is this summer before your 9th grade? I would suggest no.
a) In Australia (very few iPhones available) at your age it is HIGHLY likely a peer will steal it.
b) Your monthly cost will be more than your current cell phone.
c) Huge distraction in school as you can be on the internet instantly/anywhere
d) You can't afford to drop it or lose it.
a) In Australia (very few iPhones available) at your age it is HIGHLY likely a peer will steal it.
b) Your monthly cost will be more than your current cell phone.
c) Huge distraction in school as you can be on the internet instantly/anywhere
d) You can't afford to drop it or lose it.
If you got the money I'd say go for it, but all I gotta say is if I was still 14 I'd be more concern of having it to show off than to use to it's full extent. With that said and I'm sure you know this, but Middle school/High school is filled with the same kids who'll do anything for the coolest thing, including stealing it if they can.
This is not to say that it doesn't happened in the real world, but being in an isolated environment and being known as the kid with the iphone could make you a target. I'd had stuff stolen from me back in the day in middle school and it's not fun considering all the time I'd spend saving up for stuff.
I'd say if you got it, keep it hidden and on you all the time.
This is not to say that it doesn't happened in the real world, but being in an isolated environment and being known as the kid with the iphone could make you a target. I'd had stuff stolen from me back in the day in middle school and it's not fun considering all the time I'd spend saving up for stuff.
I'd say if you got it, keep it hidden and on you all the time.
I agree that having an iPhone at school in Oz may make you a bit of a theft target. But that may be less of a problem when it is officially released. Depending on your school, others might then have one too, reducing the novelty a touch, but making you (somewhat) less of a target.
As for cost, I'd wait and see what the 3G iPhone brings, and what the official rates are from Vodaphone and whoever else carries it. Personally, I used prepaid in Australia, and also do so here in the States (and by pre-paid I do not mean AT&T's crappy "PickYourPlan" which is just a no-contract monthly subscription, I mean real PAYG pre-paid where you buy $50 or $100 credit and it lasts up to a year). No data plan - I just use wifi. Depending on if you or your parents pay for your calls, and also how many you make, this might be the best option for you too. If that's so, you might need to consider unlocking it, if the 3G doesn't come already unlocked. Which might turn out to be easier to do on a first-gen model, which will surely drop in price when the 3G comes out.
So basically, I'd wait until 3G is released in Australia, check the carrier rates and prices on new and old models, and assess affordability then. Only you can decide though whether it is worth it to you though, when there might be other stuff you want to blow your money on!
As for cost, I'd wait and see what the 3G iPhone brings, and what the official rates are from Vodaphone and whoever else carries it. Personally, I used prepaid in Australia, and also do so here in the States (and by pre-paid I do not mean AT&T's crappy "PickYourPlan" which is just a no-contract monthly subscription, I mean real PAYG pre-paid where you buy $50 or $100 credit and it lasts up to a year). No data plan - I just use wifi. Depending on if you or your parents pay for your calls, and also how many you make, this might be the best option for you too. If that's so, you might need to consider unlocking it, if the 3G doesn't come already unlocked. Which might turn out to be easier to do on a first-gen model, which will surely drop in price when the 3G comes out.
So basically, I'd wait until 3G is released in Australia, check the carrier rates and prices on new and old models, and assess affordability then. Only you can decide though whether it is worth it to you though, when there might be other stuff you want to blow your money on!
From the sounds of it, it seems Australia if an awfully unsafe place...
Anyway, be sure that you keep it on your physical person (jean pocket) at all times. Then again I'm sure you know this; why wouldn't you always keep your phone on you?
Anyway, be sure that you keep it on your physical person (jean pocket) at all times. Then again I'm sure you know this; why wouldn't you always keep your phone on you?
I got mine at 14(like 10 days before I turned 15). I mean if you want it badly and you can afforded go for it. I enjoy mine and honestly, I don't think I'm too young to have one. I use like everything, especially during school(sneaking and not getting caught!).
So yeah I think you're old enough. Get it. But if you wanna wait until June, then do it. I don't know how it will work in Australia, but if there is 3G then wait. If there isn't then don't.
So yeah I think you're old enough. Get it. But if you wanna wait until June, then do it. I don't know how it will work in Australia, but if there is 3G then wait. If there isn't then don't.
i got a cell phone for my 13th birthday. cell phones are good to have when your young. but keep in mind, it wasn't anything special. just a nokia phone with a color screen.
at 14 you should have a cell phone.
at 14, you shouldn't have an iPhone unless you pay for it 100%, or if you are running a business. you dont need to be on the phone all day in high school on myspace, because it will kill your grades.
at 14 you should have a cell phone.
at 14, you shouldn't have an iPhone unless you pay for it 100%, or if you are running a business. you dont need to be on the phone all day in high school on myspace, because it will kill your grades.
I don't mean to discourage you but you did ask for honest opinions.
If you are old enough to work and make money then you maybe you can buy those expensive electronic gadgets you desire.
But in the end I suppose that is your parent's decision to make.
And some parents have enough money to buy drugs for their kids.
Doesn't mean that it's a wise choice
I was bummed (and excited) to hear the news about the 3G iPhones in Australia. I have a current 16GB model and was looking to pick up the 3G one here in the US and then take my old one over and sell it when I go study abroad in Melbourne in July. Leo Laporte from TWiT said he saw a bunch of unlocked iPhones over in Australia when he went over there.
Hold off and save your money. Stop playing with all of your high tech gagdets and date more cute girls.
THAT is the most important thing in life... Young, beautiful, tasty ladies.
THAT is the most important thing in life... Young, beautiful, tasty ladies.
Thanks for all the replies =D
My main worry si too probably the pricing and such. Is it likely the iPhone when released in Aus, will be prepaid as well? Or is that impossible? Because some say the Australian iPhone won't be locked to one provider, which makes sense I suppose.
But will the iPhone be an option for a pre-paid service of any kind? If it's every month contract, I may wait it out...
My main worry si too probably the pricing and such. Is it likely the iPhone when released in Aus, will be prepaid as well? Or is that impossible? Because some say the Australian iPhone won't be locked to one provider, which makes sense I suppose.
But will the iPhone be an option for a pre-paid service of any kind? If it's every month contract, I may wait it out...
