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Original poster

How many people complaining they are broke have fancy devices?

318 replies

IRememberXanadu · 08/08/2022 13:46

I was waiting to pay for petrol this morning when I overheard two ladies who were queuing up for the till next to mine, complain about the price per litre (of petrol). One way saying that she is really worried about the upcoming increase in price of electricity and gas, with the other agreeing and saying they don't know how they'll cope. While talking, they were looking at their phones - these were very expensive iPhones.

Later, I was relaying this exchange to a colleague, who said he has a friend who has also been going on and on about the upcoming price hikes and how worried he is, but also just bought (himself - it was not a gift or a work phone) a brand new iPhone.

So that got me thinking - while it's unbelievable that we are having to worry about utility prices in this country in this day and age - how many people are saying they are worried about how they will afford to heat their homes and use electricity, while still spending money on non-essentials? Of course we all need treats, but surely spending hundreds of pounds on nicer stuff when you could still buy something cheaper and put the savings towards essentials you are worried about affording, beggars belief? We are not hard up but have been thinking twice about buying luxuries when we are still in the dark about how much it will cost us to run our home, come this winter. Surely it can't be just us...

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 08/08/2022 13:51

Having a phone is a way of life now having an android or iPhone mobile isn't unusual most people have them and use them for lots of different things, and the women probably had a contract, are you also of the belief that young people would get on better if they didn't have a Starbucks?

Greensleeves · 08/08/2022 13:52

All of them, naturally. They're all gorging on caviar and scallops while booking their fourth foreign holiday of the year, as well. Scroungers.

Cop yourself on, OP. Nobody is this thick.

Wearefoooked22 · 08/08/2022 13:52

Most phones are on contracts though,you can’t just give them back without it effecting your credit score,
I still have a year left on mine but I won’t be renewing it,other than that we don’t have any gizmo’s

LividLaVidaLoca · 08/08/2022 13:52

Oh give over.

A smartphone is no longer a luxury product.

NewBootsAndRanty · 08/08/2022 13:53

Christ.

35965a · 08/08/2022 13:53

iPhones aren’t expensive at all. If it’s a couple years old it could be a tenner a month. Plus everyone needs a phone, most people I know don’t have landlines.

AppleKatie · 08/08/2022 13:54

I wonder OP if you could tell the difference between a flashy new iPhone and a cheap 5 year old iPhone? Because I’m not sure I could at a glance in a petrol station through a case.

Or should they have nothing?

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 08/08/2022 13:54

Omg I can't believe the rest of us didn't think of this, you're so right. Ditching that £20 a month contract (and staying in contact with the rest of the world how?) will really help with the £3000 electric bill.

pictish · 08/08/2022 13:55

People arrange their finances according to personal need and preference. We’ve got iphones and we’re getting hammered by the cost of living. I’m not going to break down my spending to justify my phone. What are you on about?

StrawberriesAndCreamPlease · 08/08/2022 13:55

They’re pretty essential nowadays really. Often bought on a contract, you’re obliged to stay in it for a set amount of time.

but you stick to pigeons.

vodkaredbullgirl · 08/08/2022 13:56

🙄

MarshaMelrose · 08/08/2022 13:57

I can't believe the amount of money people spend on phones. And most of it is just chasing after status. Buy a phone outright from a cheap seller and then get a sim only contract. So much cheaper and not tied into anything.
To be fair, though, when you're used to a certain amount of disposable income, it's really hard to motivate yourself to cut back. Much easier to moan about upcoming increases than to actually make sacrifices to prepare.

PersonaNonGarter · 08/08/2022 13:57

The OP is making an economically relevant point!

Basically, many (most?) of us are very used to luxuries and having a certain amount of disposable income. We expect to have nice iPhones (look at this thread - people think a £1k gadget is standard).

The problem is, people just aren’t ready for the basics to go up in price. So they now have an iPhone, a leased car…and worries about fuel.

CoastalWave · 08/08/2022 13:57

Not me! Phone is 9 years old and wrecked.

Stop being so judgemental!

Monkeybutt1 · 08/08/2022 13:59

Whilst I don't think the Iphones are a great example, I know what you mean OP.
I have a friend who was worried about everything going up to the extent they cancelled their family holiday whilst they could as they were struggling to save for it. Then 2 weeks later she bought a Robo vac for £200!

Original poster
IRememberXanadu · 08/08/2022 13:59

Surely if you are watching the pennies, even an extra £10 a month counts? It's not just expensive phones; it's the tablets in additions to phones and laptops, it's the nail appointments, smoking, etc. Surely when you add it all up, it amounts to quite a bit. Either that or I guess people aren't really that hard up, which I doubt because even here on MN you are constantly reading about how posters don't know where they'll get the money to pay their bills this winter. Surely if you were really desperate, every extra pound would help, wouldn't it?

OP posts:
mumto2teenagers · 08/08/2022 14:00

DH recently upgraded his phone, his previous one was really old and in the end completely stopped working. We went into the shop hoping to get a cheap deal on an iphone which was a couple of versions older than the newest, but in fact the cheapest deal was on the latest version. I think phones are essential if you don't have access to a laptop or other device, I could go to the bank each time I wanted to complete a transaction but over the month would probably spend more on petrol and parking, I also use my phone for online shopping, I could go to Tesco each week but find doing it online means I am less likely to overspend.

There are lots of reasons someone who is worried about money could have an expensive phone. Might have been a present or could be a work phone.

It's also very likely the phones were purchased before they knew of the cost of living increases.

Tootyfilou · 08/08/2022 14:00

This old reactionary trope. Daily Mail poison blaming the feckless WC. Educate yourself OP before you post such utter garbage.

SirenSays · 08/08/2022 14:00

StrawberriesAndCreamPlease · 08/08/2022 13:55

They’re pretty essential nowadays really. Often bought on a contract, you’re obliged to stay in it for a set amount of time.

but you stick to pigeons.

😂😂

xJoyfulCalmWisdomx · 08/08/2022 14:01

Agree with others, a smart phone isn't a private jet.

I used to work in a bank and I think it's the monthly deductions that are taken every month that leave people broke- a loan repayment for their car, a loan repayment for their holiday, 100 off the credit card just to stay on top of it, huge utility bills that we've little control over! netflix, amazon prime, audible, laya or bupa, car insurance, house insurance, travel card, union dues, and bingo there is £0.17 left

Meanwhile an iphone could last between three and four years so it's about 11 pounds per month which a lot of people would consider WORTH it. They'd go without the morning coffee or amazon prime before they'd ditch their phone.

I have a samsung but I don't blame people who think their iphone is worth it iykwim.

LillyDeValley · 08/08/2022 14:02

OP, I disagree with you on the phone point. For a lot of people phones are their only technology. With so much going online these days (forms, zoom calls, online chats for banks) a decent phone with internet access is a necessity. Most phones (in my experience) start mis-functioning after 2 years ish so you have to replace.

I do think though people are going to have to accept a reduction in living standards though. Financially and also because of climate change. I do think we have become less resilient to generations before.

On some other threads people are discussing revolutions because it has never been so bad which is simply untrue. My parents lived through the winter of discontent in the 70s. They use to have to go into work at night when their time for electricity was allowed. No discussion of more money. There house did not have central heating. They had a fire in their living room and that was it.

pedropony76 · 08/08/2022 14:02

Are you being purposely obtuse?

So because people are worried about bills that means they should all have a £25 brick Nokia is that right?

On the right contact, an Iphone could cost you £20-£30 a month. Should they not have a smartphone just to show how broke they are? What the hell is £30 a month gonna do when your spending £400 a month more on energy and fuel??

Get a grip, you sound miserable af. This is the equivalent to ‘if you’re on benefits then you shouldn’t have nice items and clothing. Everything must be 10 years old and have holes in them

TeapotTitties · 08/08/2022 14:04

Don't be a dick OP

Contracts are as cheap as chips and you know that.

maddy68 · 08/08/2022 14:04

Phones are necessary now. Also ongoing contracts get free upgrades

MaChienEstUnDick · 08/08/2022 14:04

Och give your head a wobble, I'm not falling for this daily mail nonsense. Is the iPhone the new flat screen telly?

Better not tell you that the Scottish Government are paying for iPads for kids, cos digital poverty is now a 'thing'. Your head will explode...

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