To think a smart phone is an essential?

[picklecustard]

So every time I see the debate about free lunches for poor families on Facebook and social media, there are always people who comment about the same families being able to afford ‘non-essential luxuries’ sometimes it’s Sky Tv sometimes cigarettes and booze, but one example that consistently gets mentioned is having an i-phone/smart phone/phone contract.

Quite baffled that in this day and age people consider possessing a smart phone as a non-essential luxury. I know few people with a landline nowadays and a mobile is the point of contact for most. It’s also far more useful in the case of an emergency as you always have it with you. Access to the internet via a phone is also a necessity to most- when I needed a job most vacancies were advertised online and needed to be applied for online, I don’t drive so do my food shopping online (as well as finding recipes online), doctors appointments are booked much more easily online for my local surgery, my bills and banking are managed via apps and online, my children’s school only send letters via ParentMail app or email so all news/forms/payments and everything relevant to their schooling requires my iphone. And that’s just a few examples. My phone is genuinely an essential for everyday living and I’m surprised people don’t see it that way!

@Clandestiney

Out of interest, how many people actually know someone who cannot afford food that has a top of the range smartphone? It's actually hard to get a contract if you have bad credit or don't have a reasonable income, and FSM isn't just for families who can never afford a morsel of phone.

@Clandestiney

If true, then surely not everyone needs fsm in the holidays?

The idea that there are thousands of people in this country unable to buy basic necessities like food but spunking money up the wall on iPhones is just ignorant stereotyping.

It’s annoying. It’s people with more money thinking they know more about a poor person’s budget than the poor person does. And thinking they can tell the person with less money what they should and shouldn’t be spending their money on.

I’m on a low income. I do struggle sometimes. But I do have a brain like a middle class person does and I can think for myself.

Let’s first address the myth of the £60 second hand smartphone. I’ve just spent a few minutes searching refurbed smartphones on giffgaff. The only ones coming in anywhere close to £100 (none were less than that) were iPhone 6s.

Huawei Y5 £69
Nokia 1.3 £79
Huawei Y6 £79
Huawei Y5P £89
Motorola Moto e6s £99
Not even second hand.

@funinthesun19

It’s annoying. It’s people with more money thinking they know more about a poor person’s budget than the poor person does. And thinking they can tell the person with less money what they should and shouldn’t be spending their money on.

Because all poor people are stupid obviously. I got told on another thread i shouldn't have had more than 2 dc after the 2 child limit was bought in (as a discussion about the benefit cap). The fact that I have 2 DC, who were both born more than 10 years before the 2 child limit was seemingly irrelevant

If true, then surely not everyone needs fsm in the holidays?

Well they don't. But how do you propose devising a set of criteria and implementing it? Those who don't need food during the holidays but eligibility for FSMs makes life managable don't have to access any of the donations for meals over half term. I think some people are very confused about FSMs.

@funinthesun19

The idea that there are thousands of people in this country unable to buy basic necessities like food but spunking money up the wall on iPhones is just ignorant stereotyping.

It’s annoying. It’s people with more money thinking they know more about a poor person’s budget than the poor person does. And thinking they can tell the person with less money what they should and shouldn’t be spending their money on.

I’m on a low income. I do struggle sometimes. But I do have a brain like a middle class person does and I can think for myself.

You can do what you like with your money, as can all of us. But as adults we need to be responsible, and prioritise things that are essential eg. rent or mortgage, bills, food etc. Especially when we have dependents.

Obviously it’s up to individuals what they do with the surplus. No one is telling anyone what they can or cannot buy. Eg. If you prefer to buy cheap food and second hand clothes or walk instead of taking public transport you may have more surplus than if you don’t.

The only issue here is when people say they haven’t enough money for food or other essentials, but they may have spent it on other things instead. I think people are justified in having an opinion then, as it is not fair on those in the same position who are managing by cutting back on non essentials, or those in genuine need.