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Unhealthy addiction or enjoying my money?

profmjh

profmjh

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 7, 2015
1,734
1,800
UK
Despite telling everyone I wouldn’t buy an iPhone X — to the point that I pretty much believed it myself — I’ve just ordered a 64GB silver one. (Why silver? It’ll match the new Hermes AW3 I’ve also just ordered.)

I cracked when I saw one in real life and discovered it wasn’t the catastrophic disaster some posters had me believing.

I do worry that this is part of an addiction to needing the best Apple products at all times. Less than a year ago I ordered the iPhone 7+ in jet black and thought it was the most beautiful phone I’ve ever seen. What’s changed?

But I’m 48, I work pretty hard, I earn decent money, I don’t have children . . . where’s the harm? Is it wrong to want nice things? And both the new phone and new watch are things I’ll use every day. In those terms, each is costing me a couple of pounds a day. Less — as Tim Cook said — than some people spend on coffee.
 
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32 and no children here. Was thinking about buying the X at first, space grey, but then talked myself out of it. Walked into an Apple Store on launch day, surprised I could still make a reservation, and decided what the heck...

Things happen, man. Best be prepared for the unexpected. Even kids
 
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We all have our “things”. I do not necessarily buy new tech every year, but don’t look at my scuba gear room, or my purse closet, or my trip planning for next few years ;)

If you can comfortably afford it in your budget, and aren’t skimping on savings and so on for it, then just go ahead and enjoy it!

P.S. I don’t have children either and can easily treat myself knowing what I am not having to spend on daycare, lost opportunity costs (time off work, career affects, etc), hockey camps and dance lessons, and all those other things kids can cost!
 
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profmatt said:
Despite telling everyone I wouldn’t buy an iPhone X — to the point that I pretty much believed it myself — I’ve just ordered a 64GB silver one. (Why silver? It’ll match the new Hermes AW3 I’ve also just ordered.)

I cracked when I saw one in real life and discovered it wasn’t the catastrophic disaster some posters had me believing.

I do worry that this is part of an addiction to needing the best Apple products at all times. Less than a year ago I ordered the iPhone 7+ in jet black and thought it was the most beautiful phone I’ve ever seen. What’s changed?

But I’m 48, I work pretty hard, I earn decent money, I don’t have children . . . where’s the harm? Is it wrong to want nice things? And both the new phone and new watch are things I’ll use every day. In those terms, each is costing me a couple of pounds a day. Less — as Tim Cook said — than some people spend on coffee.
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Techs can be addictions ...if you’re a rational buyer, you should be fine. If phones is a priority over personal matter..then i would say it would be a bit extreme.
 
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profmatt said:
Ha! I’m a Yorkshireman. We don’t give money away.
Click to expand...

Then if you never intended to help anyone with your extra money, what else is it for besides indulging in your own pleasures? So you might as well buy all the iPhones you want as long as it makes you happy.
 
I don’t drink, I rarely eat out, I even more rarely go on foreign holidays ... yet it does feel wasteful to replace something that’s perfectly good.

I’ve semi-persuaded myself I’m doing the world a little good. Someone who can’t afford a new jet black iPhone 7+ is about to get one at a bargain price — maybe a Christmas present for his hardworking kid.

As for charity — I don’t have kids, so there’ll be plenty for charity when I die.
 
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profmatt said:
Despite telling everyone I wouldn’t buy an iPhone X — to the point that I pretty much believed it myself — I’ve just ordered a 64GB silver one. (Why silver? It’ll match the new Hermes AW3 I’ve also just ordered.)

I cracked when I saw one in real life and discovered it wasn’t the catastrophic disaster some posters had me believing.

I do worry that this is part of an addiction to needing the best Apple products at all times. Less than a year ago I ordered the iPhone 7+ in jet black and thought it was the most beautiful phone I’ve ever seen. What’s changed?

But I’m 48, I work pretty hard, I earn decent money, I don’t have children . . . where’s the harm? Is it wrong to want nice things? And both the new phone and new watch are things I’ll use every day. In those terms, each is costing me a couple of pounds a day. Less — as Tim Cook said — than some people spend on coffee.
Click to expand...
Both. It’s ok.
 
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profmatt said:
Despite telling everyone I wouldn’t buy an iPhone X — to the point that I pretty much believed it myself — I’ve just ordered a 64GB silver one. (Why silver? It’ll match the new Hermes AW3 I’ve also just ordered.)

I cracked when I saw one in real life and discovered it wasn’t the catastrophic disaster some posters had me believing.

I do worry that this is part of an addiction to needing the best Apple products at all times. Less than a year ago I ordered the iPhone 7+ in jet black and thought it was the most beautiful phone I’ve ever seen. What’s changed?

But I’m 48, I work pretty hard, I earn decent money, I don’t have children . . . where’s the harm? Is it wrong to want nice things? And both the new phone and new watch are things I’ll use every day. In those terms, each is costing me a couple of pounds a day. Less — as Tim Cook said — than some people spend on coffee.
Click to expand...

I'm a lot like you with money, the fact that your thinking about it this way is a good sign.
Make sure your saying for retirement, it will come fast.
 
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There's an entrenched school of thought out there that I have encountered here at various times.

It goes something like this: You should only buy what you can justify needing. Anything else is a waste of your money, exemplifies poor financial judgement on your part and justifies villification of your choices.

I do not and never have subscribed to this school of thought because I buy what I want when I am ready to buy it. If you've met your basic needs first, have no other obligations and following your desire is financially within your means then you have zero need to justify what, how and when you buy something to anyone else.

Screw need. Get what you want and don't let anyone else make you feel like an SOB for it.
 
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"I’ve semi-persuaded myself I’m doing the world a little good. Someone who can’t afford a new jet black iPhone 7+ is about to get one at a bargain price — maybe a Christmas present for his hardworking kid."

Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.
 
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There’s nothing wrong with this as long as you aren’t neglecting any priorities in your life or running yourself into debt.

We all have something, whether it’s tech, travel, cars, a sport, books, music, clothes, jewelry, shoes... you get the picture.
 
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profmatt said:
I don’t drink, I rarely eat out, I even more rarely go on foreign holidays ... yet it does feel wasteful to replace something that’s perfectly good.

I’ve semi-persuaded myself I’m doing the world a little good. Someone who can’t afford a new jet black iPhone 7+ is about to get one at a bargain price — maybe a Christmas present for his hardworking kid.

As for charity — I don’t have kids, so there’ll be plenty for charity when I die.
Click to expand...

Its very important to realize that life is not a dress rehearsal! You must balance saving for tomorrow while living for today. Like you said, I too use my iPhone and Apple watch every day, all day and they are not just toys, they allow me to be productive and they do bring me joy and excitement!

As far as wasting money, my nemeses is and has always been, eating out! Eating out is way too damn expensive!
 
profmatt said:
Despite telling everyone I wouldn’t buy an iPhone X — to the point that I pretty much believed it myself — I’ve just ordered a 64GB silver one. (Why silver? It’ll match the new Hermes AW3 I’ve also just ordered.)

I cracked when I saw one in real life and discovered it wasn’t the catastrophic disaster some posters had me believing.

I do worry that this is part of an addiction to needing the best Apple products at all times. Less than a year ago I ordered the iPhone 7+ in jet black and thought it was the most beautiful phone I’ve ever seen. What’s changed?

But I’m 48, I work pretty hard, I earn decent money, I don’t have children . . . where’s the harm? Is it wrong to want nice things? And both the new phone and new watch are things I’ll use every day. In those terms, each is costing me a couple of pounds a day. Less — as Tim Cook said — than some people spend on coffee.
Click to expand...

As long as you're meeting your financial obligations, there's no issue. I'm loving my 256GB Silver X :D (upgraded from a matte black 7 Plus)
 
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