Shiny Things

nokia.jpgIt’s often far too easy to buy into the whole consumerism lie. It’s all around us and it’s so tempting to let ourselves start justifying the purchase of things we really don’t need.

I’ve mentioned before that my mobile phone is nothing special. It makes calls, it takes calls, it sends text messages. That’s all I really need a phone to do. It’s got no camera, no bluetooth, no extras.

When I think about it, having a mobile phone is a bit of a luxury anyway. A mate of mine has only recently succumbed to pressure to get a mobile and I think he’s still wondering if he did the right thing.

Over the past couple of weeks the on – off button has stopped working on my current handset. As long as I keep the phone charged that shouldn’t be a problem but if it ever goes off, it’s dead. Of course that makes getting on a plane in a couple of months a bit of an issue. I don’t think they’ll understand if I tell them I can’t switch off my mobile.

Time to get a new phone. I found a very nice one for just $199. It’s even got a 2 Megapixel camera and several other features that I’ve never had on a handset. While looking at phones a friend said he had one identical to my current one that he no longer needs and he offered it to me. I still thought a new one would be a better idea.

I was thinking about it later and remembered that not only don’t I have $199, I don’t really need a shiny new phone. I got in touch with my friend and I’ll get my ‘new phone’ later this week.

It would have been so easy to get a new phone and to feel very justified in doing so, after all, my phone needed replacing, but as is often the case there is an alternative.

How good are you at justifying the things you buy? I don’t think that we should never treat ourselves but are there things you buy that you really don’t need? Are there cheaper options that you ignore because you want shiny new things?



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Shiny Things? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.

About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He previously worked in radio for about 25 years but these days he spends his time at Compassion Australia, working towards releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.

The views he expresses here are his own.

View all posts

12 Comments

  • It can really get me down when I think about the money I’ve wasted in the past on buying junk, that I neither needed nor particularly wanted, but just had to have on impulse. I’ve said it before, but nothing made me a more thoughtful shopper than getting rid of my credit card – now I’m much more aware of what I’m buying. I can still be silly, but not to the same degree.

    It’s good when you can have fun and splurge but like all treats it can make you feel vile if you overindulge!

  • This was a good blog for me to read today.

    Even though I am one of the most frugal people I know, I am about to sell my house and will have extra for the first time in my life.

    I really will need to remind myself that what I need might be different than what I want.

    Although, I WANT to visit Australia! 🙂
    It’s definately got my kids and me excited on the prospect.
    Naturally, Perth is the destination!
    I’ve already mentioned to my daughter that she might get to hook up to my “DJ Friend Church’s Youth group”
    🙂

  • I just got a new phone with bluetooth and a phone from work. I had had a simple Nokia like yours for years and still have it as a backup. I like the photo feature, which is good for site visits, but other than that, I am happy with my old phone.

  • Ah you are so spot on… I am trying hard to really think about things I buy before I buy them, or to at least walk away and come back after a bit of a think rather than grab and run and think later.
    I have the oldest nokia phone – no camera, not even a decent ring tone, but it works and I only have it for emergencies anyway. I hope it will last a bit longer though as I really wish someone would bring out a no frills phone without all the extras….

  • Thanks for helping to point out something that we all to forget about. I have been asking myslef the question ‘Do I NEED this or do I WANT this?’ This has helped me lately since money has been tighter than it usually is. But it is a good pratice even when money isn’t tight. It sure would be nice to have back all of the money I have wasted over the years on useless junk. Thanks also for the comment you left for me!

  • Hazelblackberry, I love to splurge sometimes too. I guess the problem is that it’s become too much of a regular thing for many people. Maybe I need to cut up my credit card too.

  • Kate, it’s getting harder and harder to find phones without the frills but thankfully there are still some available. It’s pretty funny to go out places like concerts and to see every man and his dog holding their phones in front of their faces trying to capture part of the action.

Join the conversation